175 reliability question

[merlodlliw]

From Shrewsbury/Chester Rail Users Assoc to members, anybody know about this on rail forums,see below

I am told that on Friday, two 175s, running as a pair, came to grief between Shrewsbury and Gobowen.

Anyone any knowledge of this incident and how they were recovered.

In another incident a 175 came to a halt on leaving Chester.
Reliability of the fleet is being questioned.

 

[The Planner]

So two incidents means the whole fleet is duff ?? oh come on...

 

[MCR247]

Well I've heard one caught fire and the whole fleet is grounded and they are going to use LHCS until they are back in service. Just what I heard, I'll believe it when I see it

 

[Pumbaa]

They can't afford to do that. As soon as anyone's got well informed info, would like to see it!

 

[asylumxl]

The reliability of Alstoms Corodia diesel family is suspect. They're prone to eating through transmission fluid like god knows what.

Having said that, 175 is one of the better diesels. I think these are just flukes.

 

[merlodlliw]

So two incidents means the whole fleet is duff ?? oh come on...

we now know of three, Prestatryn.

however here's a response from an impeccable source to SCRUA

I Know about the 2 175's on Thursday evening. Seems a pair had problems with brakes and was stuck there for 2 and a half hours whilst a fitter was called and eventually they uncoupled the unit and then other section continued. It was the 15.20 from Cardiff I think. I just missed it I was on the previous service from Brum. The W & S was routed via Crewe to avoid the problem

Free tea & coffee for 2.5 hrs

 

[FLUB#1]

Maybe the train struck something on the line which caused the problem?

After all in that part of the world, the public are free to drive onto the railway, particularly in tractors, and get away with it.

 

[starrymarkb]

175s have always been temperamental and have needed a lot of TLC

 

[SAM-HST]

Slightly off topic but I've always thought the 175 would be great for the Liverpool to Norwich EMT rather than the 158. I'm sure there is a reason, can anyone tell me why they could not / are not used instead?

 

[350401]

175's are not used for Liverpool-Norwich I think simply because ATW was quicker to get thier application to use them (following the end of FGW and the split of its operations into Northern/ATW/TPE) into the powers that be. Its a shame Northern didn't get to keep them - they'd be great for the York-Blackpool runs as well as other long journeys. I remember the days when the Mid Cheshire line had the 07.45 (ex Knutsford, 07.00? ex-Chester) train as a 175...

Back on topic, applications to the DFT aside, its likely they are not used because of route clearance/reliability issues. As mentioned they are not the most reliable of trains and I think are quite heavy with a high RA rating meaning they are unsuitable to traverse the marshes of Norfolk? Just a guess, so don't shoot me! Also seat numbers wise, a 2 coach 175 is actually worse than a 158 - you're looking at 134 seats compared to 158 in the refurbished 158's. However, a 3 car 175 would be fine - 205 seats. Only issue is then what would be used on the Manchester-Cardiff route? Voyagers? LCHS?

 

[merlodlliw]

175's are not used for Liverpool-Norwich I think simply because ATW was quicker to get thier application to use them (following the end of FGW and the split of its operations into Northern/ATW/TPE) into the powers that be. Its a shame Northern didn't get to keep them - they'd be great for the York-Blackpool runs as well as other.

I used to travel FNW Man Oxfrd Rd to Bolton Ground(not for soccer)
often, Off one 175 and on to another. Both with Bi Ling signage

ATW got some for the CDF run etc, after Northern got their new trains, or was it Trans Pen. This was however a WAG deal fior the All Wales Franchise.

 

[Drimnagh Road]

Apparently 175002 and 003 also failed on the same evening in Chester tunnel while operating the 18:23 Cardiff, gen from NWTN.

One such reason that they couldn't operate too far away from their existing routes is because Chester depot has built up expertise on these, move them away from there and they'd be snookered.

A bit similar to the 180s at Old Oak Common, when they first moved to Heaton the reliabiity was dire and Old Oak guys had to go up to help.

 

[HSTfan!!!]

If i'm honest, barely a day goes by where we don't have problems with 175's. Can often be that the computer is just spouting out rubbish. Also there has been a few incidents with engines catching fire/smoking.
When they work the 3-car sets are fantastic, and they accelerate so quick, they keep to the timetable so well a minute or so lost here and there is made up easy.

 

[anthony263]

i have had a 3 carriage class 175 operate a daytime swanline service, only problem was that it was too good as the trains managed to arrive at neath 1.5 minutes early nad Bridgend 3 minutes early.

i have beensnet a email asking about this as rumours are flying around about some clas 175's being taken out of service to sort out their reliability problems and a loco hauled set brought in to cover. I personally cant see it happen although it would be nice to have a loco hauled train work a cardiff - manchester service.

 

[Techniquest]

Or, bugger up AXC and nick a HST off them to work some Milford Haven to Manchester workings

 

[anthony263]

Or, bugger up AXC and nick a HST off them to work some Milford Haven to Manchester workings

hst milford haven to manchester doesnt sound like a bad idea, although i if ATW do bring in a loco hauled train they couldnt they perhaps use it on a valley lines service ie rhyney thus rleasing a class 150 to cover for the class 158's that workd the maesteg - cheltenham spa services so that they could cover for the class 175's that are out of traffic.

pity i cant see atw using 37425 again

 

[HSTfan!!!]

with the initial problems we had with the 57's, maybe a LHCS wouldn't be such a good idea? Would a HST keep up with the 158 timings?
surely it would be a better idea to just take single 175 sets out of service at a time to sort the reliability, and draft in a 158 to cover, with spare 150's covering elsewhere?

 

[gchst]

I never thought that 175s where that unreliable.

 

[Techniquest]

with the initial problems we had with the 57's, maybe a LHCS wouldn't be such a good idea? Would a HST keep up with the 158 timings?

Wouldn't be too hard, 158838 was in a state of demicness on 28th November 2009. 7 late off Newport, lost nearly 4 minutes more by Hereford. Was struggling like no tomorrow up the Marches, poor thing could hardly acclerate away! By comparison a shortened HST (2+5 would probably be fine) would have out-performed a 2-car 158 easily.

surely it would be a better idea to just take single 175 sets out of service at a time to sort the reliability, and draft in a 158 to cover, with spare 150's covering elsewhere?

The most logical solution that, but aren't spare 158s already in Crewe for ERTMS fitment?

 

[merlodlliw]

Anyone in Chester Area know how long the 175 was stuck in Chester tunnel
before the passengers were rescued?

 

[HSTfan!!!]

Wouldn't be too hard, 158838 was in a state of demicness on 28th November 2009. 7 late off Newport, lost nearly 4 minutes more by Hereford. Was struggling like no tomorrow up the Marches, poor thing could hardly acclerate away! By comparison a shortened HST (2+5 would probably be fine) would have out-performed a 2-car 158 easily.



The most logical solution that, but aren't spare 158s already in Crewe for ERTMS fitment?

Hmm, maybe, maybe, some of the 158's could do with some attention that's for sure.
With regards to ERTMS, I'm sure at least 2 have been fitted now, easily indentifiable by the aerials on either carriage - looks similiar to that fitted to many bmw's lol.

 

[Techniquest]

Shall have to have a look next time then. 158838 came through Hereford non-stop yesterday towards Cardiff, not sure if it's been up in Crewe for ERTMS fitment though. Bag of bolts that thing, was in need of some serious TLC!

 

[HSTfan!!!]

most of ours are falling apart, but still seem more reliable that fgw's 158 fleet in my opinion! They are in need of a serious refurb though, that's for sure

 

[37401]

Well I've heard one caught fire and the whole fleet is grounded and they are going to use LHCS until they are back in service. Just what I heard, I'll believe it when I see it

saw about 3 175`s on monday so it wasnt the case then, 2 ATW 57`s flew past Lawley st later on that day

 

[HSTfan!!!]

lol the fleet isn't grounded! Plenty of 175's about atm, there as been a few 150's and 158's on services mind, so maybe there are a few shortages

 

[Techniquest]

Most likely, aye. Saw plenty of 175s on a 3.5 hour fester at Hereford on Wednesday and just a couple of 158s. What a shame, no LHCS up the Marches to cover. What a surprise, NOT!