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Thank you for that. 1W11 is going to be incredibly cosy at the north end. As long as it runs though it is better than if they dont have anything on it. If it is a Standard Plus train, then I will aim for that.
Its not to do with Mk4s being unavailable. Cardiff to Newport is still shut so 1W11 starts from Platform 1 at Newport. As @ojb_455850 says (welcome to the forum by the way!) A 197 is diagrammed to stable overnight and form the Manchester and the Mk4 will go into service when Canton and Cardiff are accessible.
Ah, that explains the issue. Thank you.
Loco 67029 leading HD02
Everything is units,
It all bubbles down to crew availability on the Mk4s, it's more limited West of Cardiff towards Swansea. You could probably sneak one out but it'd be a challenge logistically to manage.
How many Cardiff-based crews work on a normal weekend?
The only Swansea terminators in the timetable are the GWR services or a few stopping Swanline services, everything else goes through to Pembroke/Milford/Carmarthen etc, so all are ruled out for Mk4s.
6 of the 7 sets have got work planned on them over the weekend so its not being wasted.
It is hypothetical, but you could split at Swansea if that was what was wanted. Alternatively, add stops to the West Wales and make the Swanline limited stop (as would be done when the Swanline gets cancelled). There are plenty of ways to add the capacity, but I guess without any major sporting event in Cardiff this weekend there is less need to be creative.
Crewing isn't an issue - Holyhead sign the route and traction. In terms of paperwork though it's highly unlikely they're cleared for the Airport, and there are no stopping boards at any of the stations.
