175 failure at Wem (17 May)

[ValleyLines142]

I always think Cheltenham Spa - Maesteg is quite a long route anyway

One of the diagrams on the Cheltenham to Maesteg route is now booked for a Pacer would you believe!

I'm glad I'm not sitting on one from Cardiff to Pembroke Dock or Swansea to Llandrindod!

A Pacer worked the 0642 Cardiff Central to Pembroke Dock service this week (142069). They have also appeared on the Fishguard Flyer too in the past, although most of (if not all) the time both said services are usually a 150.

Although Arriva publicise over twitter that they don't have any spare trains, and although this is true, any 150s/142s/143s seem to go on doubling up valleys services which are definitely needed at peak times, but when it comes to lack of trains to cover for other services, Arriva can arrange for one of the units attached to cover without causing TOO much disruption. When I say that, I have been on a peak time single Penarth pacer (Pacer alliteration there ) It didn't look like it was going to make the gradient at Dingle Road!

Pacers are pretty regular on the Penarth route, and they certainly do struggle, particularly if there's just the one Pacer alone!

I'd LOVE to see a 175 creep on the Penarth branch. They're cleared for the Vale of Glamorgan Line on diverts from Bridgend via Pontyclun; I've even caught one from Barry! Amazing stuff.

 

[313103]

A pacer coupled to a 158 was on the Fishguard flyer today!
Infact that is the second day in a row a pacer has been on this diagram (yesterday was coupled to a 150.

 

[Jez]

I caught the 1254 Swansea-Manchester service yesterday, i got on at Port Talbot, it was short formed (2 car and I think this is booked for 3 car), i could hardly get on the train at Port Talbot and it was even worst at Pyle, some passengers got left behind at Bridgend. You would think given the extra passengers expected yesterday they would have made sure it was a 3 car as booked. A 3 car whilst very busy would have been far more comfortable a journey than being squashed onto a 2 car 175 with no air con on either!

At Cardiff the train was also 10 mins late departing, i asked the platform staff and there was a problem with the set. The 1400 Taunton train departed before the 175 did, that was also a minute or two late as a knock on effect of them not knowing whether they could send the 175 or not. It seems problems with the 175 are a daily occurrence now

 

[PHILIPE]

It would be pretty obvious that if it was a 2 Car instead of a 3 Car there wasn't one available.

 

[ValleyLines142]

I caught the 1254 Swansea-Manchester service yesterday, i got on at Port Talbot, it was short formed (2 car and I think this is booked for 3 car), i could hardly get on the train at Port Talbot and it was even worst at Pyle, some passengers got left behind at Bridgend. You would think given the extra passengers expected yesterday they would have made sure it was a 3 car as booked. A 3 car whilst very busy would have been far more comfortable a journey than being squashed onto a 2 car 175 with no air con on either!

At Cardiff the train was also 10 mins late departing, i asked the platform staff and there was a problem with the set. The 1400 Taunton train departed before the 175 did, that was also a minute or two late as a knock on effect of them not knowing whether they could send the 175 or not. It seems problems with the 175 are a daily occurrence now

It's certainly not ideal having a 2 car instead of a 3 car unit, especially as the rugby was on in Cardiff yesterday (hence the severe overcrowding of this service), but a 2 car is better than a 0 car!

 

[Jez]

It would be pretty obvious that if it was a 2 Car instead of a 3 Car there wasn't one available.

Well yes i could have told you that.

But you would think they would be more organised on a day when the information screens said "trains were expected to be busier than usual". And of course if you run a train short formed its not going to help matters.

 

[PHILIPE]

Well yes i could have told you that.

But you would think they would be more organised on a day when the information screens said "trains were expected to be busier than usual". And of course if you run a train short formed its not going to help matters.

They are ALL busy so why single out this one. Something had to give. If you can find some extra carriages from somewhere, do so and present them to the TOC.

 

[Jez]

They are ALL busy so why single out this one.

Because this one was short formed. Im sure there are many other services that need more capacity.

 

[PHILIPE]

It wouldn't have been short formed if there had been full availability. I don't think you understand.

 

[Jez]

It wouldn't have been short formed if there had been full availability. I don't think you understand.

Oh i do understand, but as a passenger i also have a right to complain.

 

[PHILIPE]

Agree. Right to complain. I'm sure it wasn't through want of trying though.

 

[Jez]

I agree, im not saying they run trains short formed unless they have no other option and it wouldnt have been so bad on Saturday if there hadnt been a big event on in Cardiff.

Anyway going back to the 175 diagrams, it would be helpful to know which ones are booked for 3 and which are 2 cars. I know the first two Carmarthen-Manchester are booked 2 cars (the one that goes via the district and then the first one via Swansea at about 7am) but which others? I ask because i know some have recently changed.

Also how many Holyheads to Cardiff are booked for 2 car or 3 car?

 

[krus_aragon]

When I say that, I have been on a peak time single Penarth pacer (Pacer alliteration there ) It didn't look like it was going to make the gradient at Dingle Road!

I understand that if a pacer is running on one engine on the way up to Penarth, it's common practice to skip the Dingle Road stop, and call there on the way back instead, for fear of not being able to get going up the hill again.

 

[Gareth Marston]

I agree, im not saying they run trains short formed unless they have no other option and it wouldnt have been so bad on Saturday if there hadnt been a big event on in Cardiff.

Anyway going back to the 175 diagrams, it would be helpful to know which ones are booked for 3 and which are 2 cars. I know the first two Carmarthen-Manchester are booked 2 cars (the one that goes via the district and then the first one via Swansea at about 7am) but which others? I ask because i know some have recently changed.

Also how many Holyheads to Cardiff are booked for 2 car or 3 car?

Southbound the 043x is 3 car but this is a peak commuter train into Hereford and will spill 3 figure sums worth of passengers there.
The 12xx toMaesteg is a 3 as well this connects with a ferry at Holyhead and then provides peak evening capacity on the Maesteg branch leaving Cardiff just after 5.
northbound the 052x to Landudno is a 3 car as this is the AM peak train into Wrexham and Chester,

 

[ValleyLines142]

I understand that if a pacer is running on one engine on the way up to Penarth, it's common practice to skip the Dingle Road stop, and call there on the way back instead, for fear of not being able to get going up the hill again.

I must admit that in the four years I commuted there, I never noticed this! Next time I'm out on the branch I'll certainly look out for this!

I agree, im not saying they run trains short formed unless they have no other option and it wouldnt have been so bad on Saturday if there hadnt been a big event on in Cardiff.

I'm sure Arriva, as with any other TOC, didn't intend on short-forming services, particularly with a big event on, but unfortunately only a 2-car unit was available. It's not them saying 'Oh, we're only going to put a 2-car unit on, despite there being a big rugby match in Cardiff'. There is a big difference between what they decide to use, and what is actually available.

I experience this too on my daily commute between Cardiff and Bristol.

Anyway going back to the 175 diagrams, it would be helpful to know which ones are booked for 3 and which are 2 cars. I know the first two Carmarthen-Manchester are booked 2 cars (the one that goes via the district and then the first one via Swansea at about 7am) but which others? I ask because i know some have recently changed.

Also how many Holyheads to Cardiff are booked for 2 car or 3 car?

There appears to be a fixed diagram for the 175's, which is below, but obviously this can change:

1W42 0435 Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly: 3 car
1W44 0540 Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly: 3 car
1W48 0503 Carmarthen to Manchester Piccadilly: 2 car
1W10 0615 Carmarthen to Manchester Piccadilly: 2 car
1W52 0555 Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly: 3 car
1W12 0705 Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly: 3 car
1W56 0804 Fishguard Harbour to Manchester Piccadilly: 3 car
1W14 0910 Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly: 3 car
1W60 1103 Carmarthen to Manchester Piccadilly: 3 car
1W16 1110 Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly: 3 car
1W64 1302 Carmarthen to Manchester Piccadilly: 2 car
1W66 1310 Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly: 2 car
1W70 1503 Carmarthen to Manchester Piccadilly: 3 car
1W20 1510 Milford Haven to Manchester Piccadilly: 3 car
1W74 1658 Carmarthen to Manchester Piccadilly: 2 car
1W76 2017 Cardiff Central to Manchester Piccadilly: 2 car 158

1V90 0425 Holyhead to Cardiff Central: 3 car
1V91 0533 Holyhead to Cardiff Central: 67+Mk3
1V92 0628 Holyhead to Cardiff Central: 2 car
1V94 0805 Holyhead to Cardiff Central: 2 car
1V95 1040 Holyhead to Llanelli: 2 car (I believe)
1V96 1232 Holyhead to Maesteg: 3 car
1V97 1434 Holyhead to Cardiff Central: 2 car
1V98 1650 Holyhead to Cardiff Central: 3 car

You'll be able to see other services on the diagram by using Real Time Trains (so for example if the 0435 Cardiff to Manchester is a 3 car then the return journey, the 0830 Manchester to Milford Haven, will also be a 3 car).

I have absolutely no idea on the Llandudno services though sorry.

 

[Jez]

Thanks DanTrainMan185 and Gareth, very helpful and helps clarify a few things.

 

[PHILIPE]

Thank you. I had already explained but you didn't seem to accept my reply although the replies for which you are giving thanks tell you the same thing.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Thank you. I had already explained but you didn't seem to accept my reply although the replies for which you are giving thanks tell you the same thing.

I must apologise to you but I have now realised you were thanking them for something quite different, i.e. 175 workings.
To clear up Dan185s queries:-

10 40 Holyhead to Llanelli is 2 Car.
15 10 Swansea to Chester is 2 Car

Apart from morning peak, the pattern for Llandudno to Manchesters is 6 Units required. There are 4 x 3 Car and 1 x 2 Car 175 (10 44 Llandudno to Manchester) and 1 x 158 (11 44 Llandudno to Manchester). They can be followed through on Real Time Trains as necessary.