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TfW ‘Active Travel’ Class 153 progress updates
- Thread starter strettonarms96
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RailUK Forums
Techniquest
Veteran Member
AT04 was out with 153552+153382 on 18/05/2026, as well as the couple of days before that, for the first time in ages. I travelled on it when it was working the 1135 (or something like that) from Shrewsbury down the HoW
Many thx - I'll keep an eye out for itAT04 was out with 153552+153382 on 18/05/2026, as well as the couple of days before that, for the first time in ages. I travelled on it when it was working the 1135 (or something like that) from Shrewsbury down the HoW
Welshguy1048
Established Member
Filmed at Prestatyn, North Wales
03/06/26 - TfW Class 153 - 153318 & 153572 - Holyhead Car M.D. to Cardiff Canton Sidings - ECS move
Robin Edwards
Member
- Joined
- 1 Dec 2013
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- 685
was roving around Wales this last week and didn't connect with this set so maybe at Canton all week?
Armchair Bob
Member
That was AT05. Last used as far as l know on 16/6. All the sets have been in use sporadically. Set AT06 has been split at Canton for ages - don't know what's the matter with it.
Robin Edwards
Member
- Joined
- 1 Dec 2013
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- 685
Thanks for Confirming - I did record 153568 from AT06 on it's own outside CF when passing
Kite159
Veteran Member
Is AT06 still out of action at Canton, or has it been put back together and is back in service?
animationmilo
Member
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- 29 Mar 2011
- Messages
- 870
Still seems to be out of action
Would be nice to know why it’s taking so long 28 March so 5 months
Would be nice to know why it’s taking so long 28 March so 5 months
Robin Edwards
Member
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- 1 Dec 2013
- Messages
- 685
The colourful half of AT06 153568 was stood outside Canton TMD in mid-June. Not sure if it's still there?
318266
Member
I do wonder what the point of the AT sets are for anything other than fancy bike storage. Unlike the ScotRail 153s which by floor space is mostly bikes, they seem to just be at standard 153s with more comfortable seating and some bike spaces... although it can't be more then the vestibule bike spaces the SR 156s have.
In addition, I think the TrainFX files they have mis-assigned Shrewsbury in the announcement database with some message about event overcrowding in both Welsh and English...
Transcript: "We are now at... Dolau. This train is for... Due to an upcoming event, our trains may be busier than usual. To check your journey, please visit our website, tfwrail.wales."
In addition, I think the TrainFX files they have mis-assigned Shrewsbury in the announcement database with some message about event overcrowding in both Welsh and English...
Transcript: "We are now at... Dolau. This train is for... Due to an upcoming event, our trains may be busier than usual. To check your journey, please visit our website, tfwrail.wales."
Lewisham2221
Established Member
It's a long time since I've been on a 156, but I don't remember any of them having 50% of a carriage dedicated to cycle storage - the active travel 153s have 10 additional cycle spaces
That's exactly what they are for, fancy (or additional) bike storage. It's the difference between fitting 2-4 bikes on a HOWL service and fitting 10-12 bikes.
The bike space is actually quite large
Techniquest
Veteran Member
It’s a really good bike space on the 153/5s, one of the best things TfW have done for me and my fellow riders!
tfw756rider
On Moderation
I wonder why they still haven't fixed that? They've been doing that for at least about a year.
Armchair Bob
Member
Here's a question l've been pondering for a while and l wonder if anyone can enlighten me:
The AT units are semi-permanently coupled, hence the numbering system as pairs. If one vehicle has a problem, the other half seems to have to hang around until it's fixed. This isn't very efficient. You would think that any of the 153/3s would be able to work with any of the bike carriers (153/5s) as well as the 153/9s, so a 153/3 half of an AT set would be able to pair up with a /9 whilst its /5 is under repair. This would allow more combinations of the fleet of 30, resulting in better usage. I hope you can see what l'm getting at!
Can anybody provide the answer?
The AT units are semi-permanently coupled, hence the numbering system as pairs. If one vehicle has a problem, the other half seems to have to hang around until it's fixed. This isn't very efficient. You would think that any of the 153/3s would be able to work with any of the bike carriers (153/5s) as well as the 153/9s, so a 153/3 half of an AT set would be able to pair up with a /9 whilst its /5 is under repair. This would allow more combinations of the fleet of 30, resulting in better usage. I hope you can see what l'm getting at!
Can anybody provide the answer?
pokemonsuper9
Established Member
I'm interested in knowing the answer too, but I think part of it may be that the long term plan was for TfW's only 153s to be these active travel sets so there wouldn't be any spare solo 153s to join with.
CR165022
Established Member
There was always going to spare unit though, no? Or has that one since been withdrawn?
I'm also interested to know why the AT numbers are even a thing in the first place? For those same reasons, surely having any unit being able to run with any AT unit would work better than fixed sets?
I'm also interested to know why the AT numbers are even a thing in the first place? For those same reasons, surely having any unit being able to run with any AT unit would work better than fixed sets?
This is pretty much why, as well as keeping the exam regime matched with the pairs, reducing workload on individual sets.
There's also the need to keep them formed up in a certain way for door access on short platforms on the heart of wales, which could be managed on Depots so shouldn't be a major issue but just avoids any complications.
The spare set is a backup should there be any long term reasons of one being stopped.
BenBracken
Member
Except they aren’t. I caught one from Ffairfach a while back, which is at the end of the newly opened cycle trail from Carmarthen, so certainly a hotspot for people with bikes. Even though the platform is more than long enough to accommodate two carriages they only open the door at one end. And the bike unit was at the other end! I did ping an email to TfW to ask why this was, just got referred to their ‘active travel team’ and heard nothing since! It seemed more of an operational decision rather than a safety one. You’ve got the same issue at several HoWL stops I believe, so it’s pot luck how the units end up after reversing and being sent round other lines as to whether you can access the bike unit. There is still the existing bike space on the non converted unit, so I suppose that’s their way round it.
Its not related to the bike spaces, its down to access to the PRM areas and ramp deployment.
If the ramp access was at the outer ends on both coaches, it wouldnt be possible for the ramp to be deployed at certain stops on the Heart of Wales where only a local door in the centre of the train can be used.
Ah I knew it was something to do with certain door access. Wheelchair access makes more sense!
BenBracken
Member
That’s useful info, thanks! I think my issue was why Ffairfach counts as a ‘short platform’ when if you look at my photo it clearly isn’t! In terms of loadings traditionally it might be seen as a least used station but it is now a valuable transport link to a major new cycle trail, especially as it saves a slog over the hill to Llandeilo!
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chargesmith
Member
Do we know how long the 153s are expected to run on the HoW line? While the rest of the Wales and Borders fleet has been renewed it feels wrong to keep 40 year old trains going.
I feel like the one car seats and one car mostly bikes is the right move, just think it would be better on a newer platform but unsure what options TfW would have either in new or cascaded unit choices.
I feel like the one car seats and one car mostly bikes is the right move, just think it would be better on a newer platform but unsure what options TfW would have either in new or cascaded unit choices.
In the original TFW 15 year franchise (2018-2033) it was meant to be 170s on the HOWL but that changed when it was decided the 170s were to leave TFW and they were to keep some 153s for the HOWL instead. So I assume the plan was then until 2033 for the 153s. However lots of things have changed since even that was decided.
The issue is there is nothing except 153s and 150s cleared for the HOWL. As far as I know a 197 hasnt even been down there on test.
I happened to travel on the HOWL today and it was a pair of 153s in one direction and an AT set on the other and both were about a third full if that so plenty of capacity.
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I was thinking 197s but no 197 has ever been down the HOWL even ECS as far as I know, which is the issue. It would likely be easy enough though as the train crew at both ends sign 197s so it would just be ensuring they were cleared for all platforms etc.
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