6-car Cambrian trains

[Rhydgaled]

Was on the 15:30 Aberystwyth to Birmingham International service (as far as Shrewsbury) today. On the approach to Caersws my suspicions were aroused that something was unusual as the guard came through asking if anyone wanted Caersws. 'That's not a request stop' I thought, and there was no platform outside my window when the train stopped.

Anyway, on arrival at Shrewsbury I saw that it was a 6-car formation. Anyone know if it was one unit from Aberystwyth, one from Pwllheli and one starting at Machynlleth or did the coast portion have 4 coaches today?

I thought the only booked 6-car was the 09:30 from Aberystwyth (4-car Aberystwyth to Machynlleth) on weekdays, but didn't Modern Railways report that service as running as 4-car vice 6 due to the short Caersws platform? (though the 158s have selective door opening for the very short Cambrian coast platforms anyway don't they?)

 

[Tomnick]

The length prior to departure from Aberystwyth is obviously going to be different to the length after a portion from the Coast has been attached at Machynlleth...!

 

[PHILIPE]

Was on the 15:30 Aberystwyth to Birmingham International service (as far as Shrewsbury) today. On the approach to Caersws my suspicions were aroused that something was unusual as the guard came through asking if anyone wanted Caersws. 'That's not a request stop' I thought, and there was no platform outside my window when the train stopped.

Anyway, on arrival at Shrewsbury I saw that it was a 6-car formation. Anyone know if it was one unit from Aberystwyth, one from Pwllheli and one starting at Machynlleth or did the coast portion have 4 coaches today?

I thought the only booked 6-car was the 09:30 from Aberystwyth (4-car Aberystwyth to Machynlleth) on weekdays, but didn't Modern Railways report that service as running as 4-car vice 6 due to the short Caersws platform? (though the 158s have selective door opening for the very short Cambrian coast platforms anyway don't they?)

Obviously to move a Unit. I would guess that it wiuld have been attached om front at Machynlleth (Ex Depot) and detached at Shrewsbury.

 

[robschopper]

It would appear that, rather then use selective door opening, as there are usually very few people alighting at Caersws on the up service, it is easier to find the passengers and advise them that it will be local door only to alight. Driver will open the front door on the butterfly, and conductor will open another if required.

 

[headshot119]

It would appear that, rather then use selective door opening, as there are usually very few people alighting at Caersws on the up service, it is easier to find the passengers and advise them that it will be local door only to alight. Driver will open the front door on the butterfly, and conductor will open another if required.

Perhaps they don't use SDO as ATW 158s aren't fitted with it? Your choices are opening the door on the local panel, or using the butterfly on the end doors.

 

[Tomnick]

Just checked, and it was a four-car set (158836 and 158832) off the Coast.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Was on the 15:30 Aberystwyth to Birmingham International service (as far as Shrewsbury) today. On the approach to Caersws my suspicions were aroused that something was unusual as the guard came through asking if anyone wanted Caersws. 'That's not a request stop' I thought, and there was no platform outside my window when the train stopped.

Anyway, on arrival at Shrewsbury I saw that it was a 6-car formation. Anyone know if it was one unit from Aberystwyth, one from Pwllheli and one starting at Machynlleth or did the coast portion have 4 coaches today?

I thought the only booked 6-car was the 09:30 from Aberystwyth (4-car Aberystwyth to Machynlleth) on weekdays, but didn't Modern Railways report that service as running as 4-car vice 6 due to the short Caersws platform? (though the 158s have selective door opening for the very short Cambrian coast platforms anyway don't they?)

I saw it from the garden you rolled into Newtown nearly 6 minutes early yes that's 6 minutes early - not uncommon with the retb tt still operating post ertms and infrastructure works. No doubt a stock repositioning move.

 

[PHILIPE]

Yes. The 158s Maintenance Depot is at Machynlleth so it was probably a spare serviceable one being moved to cover a shortfall elsewhere

 

[Rhydgaled]

Obviously to move a Unit. I would guess that it wiuld have been attached om front at Machynlleth (Ex Depot) and detached at Shrewsbury.

That was one of my guesses as to what might be happening, but none of the units appeared to be locked out of use at Shrewsbury. I didn't see it go but I think all 6 coaches continued towards Birmingham, as I didn't see 2 coaches left behind either.

Perhaps they don't use SDO as ATW 158s aren't fitted with it? Your choices are opening the door on the local panel, or using the butterfly on the end doors.

I guess 'openning the door on the local panel' means the guard can open whichever door he/she is at without unlocking the others, but could you please explain what the butterfly method of openning/unlocking doors is?

Just checked, and it was a four-car set (158836 and 158832) off the Coast.

That's interesting. That, plus the fact I think all 6 coaches ran through to Birmingham, suggests it wasn't just a positioning move.

Does the booked 6-car working (4 coaches on the 09:30 from Aberystwyth joined by another 2 coaches at Machynlleth if I'm right) actually run as 6-cars or does the short platform at Caersws mean it normally runs as 4-car?

 

[svrdan]

The reason for the 6 cars from what i know is that on Weekdays there is a 8:44 train From Machynlleth to Aberystwyth. It used to run back Empty to Mach after the 09:30 To Birmingham had Left Aberystwyth. Now it joins up to the 09:30 train and with it joining up with the coast train at Mach becomes a 6 car unit.

 

[Gareth Marston]

The reason for the 6 cars from what i know is that on Weekdays there is a 8:44 train From Machynlleth to Aberystwyth. It used to run back Empty to Mach after the 09:30 To Birmingham had Left Aberystwyth. Now it joins up to the 09:30 train and with it joining up with the coast train at Mach becomes a 6 car unit.

The ECS unit use to form the 1048 Machynlleth to Pwllheli, the 0809 ex INTL use to be a 2 car but due to overcrowding its been upped to a 4 with a split at Mach with Aber and coast portions meaning the ECS unit has been made spare.

 

[Crossover]

I guess 'openning the door on the local panel' means the guard can open whichever door he/she is at without unlocking the others, but could you please explain what the butterfly method of openning/unlocking doors is?

I believe you are correct on your understanding of local panel.

My understanding of the butterfly method is the use of the handle on the outside of the train to do a manual release. Thus, I think the guard would put up a release on the local panel, then have to walk the length of the train and operate the other end door with the butterfly.

If a unit were locked up, I think the butterfly would be how a crew would gain access to the unit too.

Someone please correct me if I am wrong, though