TfW withdrawals (Now just 150/158s to go)

[pokemonsuper9]

"TfW will extend leases on Class 153 DMUs"

Hmm. Call me picky, but I fail to see how a 153 qualifies as a DMU!

The AT sets kind of are.

 

[tfw756rider]

"TfW will extend leases on Class 153 DMUs"

Hmm. Call me picky, but I fail to see how a 153 qualifies as a DMU!

The Class 153 is a diesel multiple unit, as in:

• a unit (that combines the carrying of a load e.g. passengers, with traction and control)
• that can work in multiple (with other compatible units)
• and uses the compression ignition engine ("diesel engine"), invented by Rudolf Diesel.

"Multiple" doesn't necessarily mean that a single unit has to have multiple vehicles, it just has the capability to be part of a train of multiple vehicles.

The argument should really be "is a single Class 153 a train?" in which case, yes and no.

No, it's not a train in the sense of a consist of multiple railway vehicles,

but yes, it is a "train" in the sense of its ability to be used as a "train" in one vehicle, as in, do what a "train" can do (albeit with low capacity), and is a "train" in the operational sense of having a train reporting number and being equipment driven on a railway

I've sometimes seen 153s called "railcars" rather than DMUs (in British terminology), but in some other countries, DMUs with multiple vehicles are called railcars, so...

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Sep 2025 ==

The AT sets kind of are.

An AT set is formed of two 153s though; @chrisjo said "a 153"

 

[chrisjo]

The Class 153 is a diesel multiple unit, as in.......................

I did have my tongue firmly in my cheek.

There is a whole thread on this subject elsewhere on this forum:

What is a DMU?

Hi, I seek definition of dmu... My understanding of the term is that the coaches that made up the dmu were not meant to be seperated, that the engine, cabs, passenger facilities were distributed throughout the "unit" and that it operated as a self contained train, either alone or coupled to...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[tfw756rider]

I did have my tongue firmly in my cheek.

There is a whole thread on this subject elsewhere on this forum:

What is a DMU?

Hi, I seek definition of dmu... My understanding of the term is that the coaches that made up the dmu were not meant to be seperated, that the engine, cabs, passenger facilities were distributed throughout the "unit" and that it operated as a self contained train, either alone or coupled to...

www.railforums.co.uk

Oh, of course there is

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

I’m slightly surprised to see that 2015 thread ran to only 1 page. Was expecting about 200 for a topic as potentially explosive as that!

 

[Jez]

Can anyone advise the number of diagrams now for 150 and 153's including the non AT sets ?

 

[sd0733]

Can anyone advise the number of diagrams now for 150 and 153's including the non AT sets ?

150- 13
153- 1
AT- 4

That's what's booked today anyway. Although theres a few swaps.

 

[Jez]

150- 13
153- 1
AT- 4

That's what's booked today anyway. Although theres a few swaps.

Much appreciated as always @sd0733

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Sep 2025 ==

TFW 158's are rare now in South Wales but today i spotted one doing the 1522 Cardiff-Holyhead. Also there was another 158 doing Maesteg-Ebbw Vale's.

 

[Anonymous10]

Much appreciated as always @sd0733

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Sep 2025 ==

TFW 158's are rare now in South Wales but today i spotted one doing the 1522 Cardiff-Holyhead. Also there was another 158 doing Maesteg-Ebbw Vale's.

On last Saturday there was 2 at Canton.

 

[JakeMurphy]

On last Saturday there was 2 at Canton.

837’s not been seen out in a while, I think she’s been for overhaul.

 

[animationmilo]

837’s not been seen out in a while, I think she’s been for overhaul.

Yes, at Bristol 837 is.

 

[Anonymous10]

Yes, at Bristol 837 is.

Strong with the force you are

 

[BillStampy]

Much appreciated as always @sd0733

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Sep 2025 ==

TFW 158's are rare now in South Wales but today i spotted one doing the 1522 Cardiff-Holyhead. Also there was another 158 doing Maesteg-Ebbw Vale's.

Currently onboard 158835 now - happy to be on one in South Wales to say the least

 

[158822]

When was the last time a TfW 158 went anywhere near Swansea or Carmarthen? I know one went to Pembroke Dock in March but has one been since?

 

[Jez]

When was the last time a TfW 158 went anywhere near Swansea or Carmarthen? I know one went to Pembroke Dock in March but has one been since?

A long while since I've seen one in this area. But it appears there is one today. I'd really like to ride one before they leave TFW. Even if it means going up to Shrewsbury next year before they go.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Sep 2025 ==

Currently onboard 158835 now - happy to be on one in South Wales to say the least

I see there is one on a Swansea to Cardiff. I might try and catch it later if a convenient time.

 

[animationmilo]

A long while since I've seen one in this area. But it appears there is one today. I'd really like to ride one before they leave TFW. Even if it means going up to Shrewsbury next year before they go.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Sep 2025 ==


I see there is one on a Swansea to Cardiff. I might try and catch it later if a convenient time.

158835 so its having a busy day

 

[158822]

158s are also running half the Manchester Airport services today. They are quite rare round Manchester now as well but based on how things go I wouldn’t be surprised if they are the only trains running on the Cambrian this time next year especially as they are on lease until 30/4/2027.

 

[Jez]

158835 so its having a busy day

I'm.guessing Cardiff train crew still competent on them and Carmarthen not so much whilst is whilst they are rarely.seen down here now.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Sep 2025 ==

158s are also running half the Manchester Airport services today. They are quite rare round Manchester now as well but based on how things go I wouldn’t be surprised if they are the only trains running on the Cambrian this time next year especially as they are on lease until 30/4/2027.

They must be really short of 197s if even with the block in West Wales they are using 158s to cover 197 diagrams

 

[sd0733]

They must be really short of 197s if even with the block in West Wales they are using 158s to cover 197 didiagramsi

Ignoring the ERTMS sets stored at Holyhead, there are 13Non-ERTMS 197s currently stopped/not in service for various ailments at the start of service today plus 2 other failures which have been recovered this morning after being parked up last night.
Others have dropped out with faults during the day too.

 

[158822]

Because the line from Rhyl is shut the Manchester Airport diagrams are changed it would appear. 05:25 MIA to Rhyl then does 07:40 Rhyl to Cardiff Central. The 06:25 MIA to Rhyl then does 08:42 to Birmingham International and then 12:08 to Aberystwyth & Pwllheli. It continues similarly throughout the day.

 

[Anonymous10]

Ignoring the ERTMS sets stored at Holyhead, there are 13Non-ERTMS 197s currently stopped/not in service for various ailments at the start of service today plus 2 other failures which have been recovered this morning after being parked up last night.
Others have dropped out with faults during the day too.

Not filling me with confidence travelling to Cardiff for my interview on Monday.

 

[BillStampy]

5Z61 Landore T.M.D. - Cardiff C.S.
153906 153361

 

[Anonymous10]

5Z61 Landore T.M.D. - Cardiff C.S.
153906 153361

Explains the two car 153 i saw whilst returning from cardiff this afternoon.

 

[BillStampy]

Also on another note 158841 moved from Machynlleth depot over the weekend with the supposed destination being Doncaster. 158824 is expected to move at the end of this week. Unsure whether it's the line to being repaired or the end for these two units, who knows?

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Also on another note 158841 moved from Machynlleth depot over the weekend with the supposed destination being Doncaster. 158824 is expected to move at the end of this week. Unsure whether it's the line to being repaired or the end for these two units, who knows?

I started a thread on this topic. TFW Class 158841.

 

[BillStampy]

I started a thread on this topic. TFW Class 158841.

Ah brilliant.

If anyone wishes to keep discussing that topic then move the conversation over there:

158824 & 158841 Talerddig accident units

Hi all Does anyone know if these two units are still at Macc depot, and, if so, whether they are visible from any publicly accessible location? Thanks!

www.railforums.co.uk

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Oct 2025 ==

Realtime Trains | 2O07 0938 Ebbw Vale Town to Newport (South Wales) | 04/10/2025

Real-time train running information for 2O07 0938 departure from Ebbw Vale Town to Newport (South Wales) on 04/10/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

In a twist of fate, 153361 and 153906 are the first two "non-AT" units to return to service as a pair, if we exclude 153323, they're working the Ebbw Vales to Newport today.

 

[sd0733]

In a twist of fate, 153361 and 153906 are the first two "non-AT" units to return to service as a pair, if we exclude 153323, they're working the Ebbw Vales to Newport totoday.

The diagrams theyre on is for a 153/0 and a 153/9 pair so should be a regular thing going forward.

 

[MP393]

2 Class 150s had a blast on the marches route yesterday, albeit one empty stock.

150258 + AT01 worked 5Z58 Shrewsbury - Canton

150252 worked 1W89 22:21 Cardiff to Crewe; as far as Shrewsbury.

 

[FrontSideBus]

They must be really short of 197s if even with the block in West Wales they are using 158s to cover 197 diagrams

There always seems to be loads of 'em parked up around the sidings at Chester!

 

[Cardiff123]

Reading October's Modern Railways, that has a detailed article on TfW's plans to introduce the 398s, it looks like the Vale of Glamorgan line will be the last holdout for the 150s in Wales, saying "a handful of the DMUs (150s) in better condition will be retained for some Vale of Glamorgan services until all of the 231s and 756s move over to their final operational routes"

So another 12 - 18 months, or possibly even 2 years, of 150s on VoG services? (Sigh)