Though it's unavoidable on a 2-car 197 such as the one you were on (as it's in both vehicles), the "lathe sound" (whatever it is that makes it) is avoidable on a 3-car 197 if you go in the centre car, which doesn't seem to have it.
I was walking down the train on the branch and when we accelerated nearly fell over... that was an experience I don't wish to repeat.
It will end up similar to us up North, with guards resorting to wearing supports due to pain in their legs and knees, but likely worse as there is more jointed track down that way.
They go to Tyseley for tyre turning. The runs aren't proving runs yet.
What would you like them to do about it ?
Admitting that there - is / may be - an issue would be a good start. Ignoring the concerns of staff in any employment environment is unlikely to result in positive outcomes, whereas beginning a dialogue can often overcome many issues, even in cases like this where the root cause is unlikely to be resolved.
Wow im surprised at that, especially the 150 going to Manchester. I thought they were effectively banned from long distance routes.
It was said on this forum. I dont have the threads/posts to hand but will have a look for them.
As per my post back then, "much longer". Nobody said in stone it would be definitely within a year. And the one that went up today was the first in a long time. Yes the project is taking longer than expected, no people including those of us working the route aren't particularly happy about it, but it's really not the end of the world.
Theres currently 41 diagrams for the 51 accepted units so on paper they should be able to cover that comfortably. 10 units on planned and unplanned maintenance, tyre turning and/or exams should be doable.
Its booked a 4 car.
I would say 18 months later is a bit longer than 'not much longer' but I accept your point and it isn't that big a deal..I was just surprised as I thought 150s were done with the Marches.
Thanks for the info. I guess there must be quite a few out of service if they have to resort to a 150 covering.
From my own knowledge, it's a 2 or 3 car 197 normally. Don't think it's any more than that!
Its a booked 2 car diagram on that one.
We're at the point that neither 150 nor 153 are booked on any Manchester services - and the former can only be substituted with special authorisation. We're in touching distance of an all 197 & MKIV service. It would be nice to be all the way, but we're a lot closer than last year's low point.
To give this some context, 28 of the active fleet of 34 150s made it to Manchester in January this year. So yes, the 197 situation is clearly a lot better now.
Thanks, great news for leg 1 of my trip to tankfest next Thursday, if only the portsmouth train from Cardiff was the same luxury, for lack of a better word.
150258 is on this diagram today, likely a good reason but a shame that it isn't being swapped with one of the units operating to Pembroke dock to keep the 150s on shorter workings.
The 150s and 153s are now being used on the Cheltenham/ Ebbw/ Maesteg services as well as CVL enhancements. Penarth - Caerphilly being a common allocation I believe.
158s will almost always slip south to Cardiff, the late Shrewsbury to Cardiff normally is one, but it is regularly thrown back North on a Holyhead diagram. The 15x fleet have moved back to take a 197 off of Ebbw Vale, Cheltenham/Maesteg to allow that freed up 197 to head on the next 197 booked services.
That's exactly the plan. It heads down on the 23:09 from Shrewsbury then goes back out for the 09:22/19:34 Holyheads the next day.
As someone who wants to criticise the 197s normally I've been happy with their air con the last couple of days.