Alternative Diagrams for the TFW Mk4

[Jez]

You can see the stress that trying to create the 07:45 caused. Though, I worked around it by splitting the 2 units from 1W12 to form both 1W11 and 1W12 as far as Shrewsbury.

Keeping the current West Wales continuing to Cardiff also makes sense. The Mk4 can run in front of the present service. Presumably, it would then not matter if the 197 was a 2-car.

I agree. its not easy to fit them all in. I also havent checked in detail the paths from Cardiff-Swansea and return but just done a rough estimate. A few might clash with Maestegs so might have to run a bit later and have a shorter turn around in Swansea. Also I havent looked into the issue of platfom space at Swansea. With 2 platforms used for Swanline/HOWL services that sit in Swansea for some time and the existing West Wales services being split at Swansea every 2 hours it could be tight. All these things would need to be looked into more.

 

[Topological]

I agree. its not easy to fit them all in. I also havent checked in details the paths from Cardiff-Swansea and return but just done a rough estimate. A few might class with Maestegs so might have to run a bit later and have a shorter turn around in Swansea. Also I havent looked into the issue of platfom space at Swansea. With 2 platforms used for Swanline/HOWL services that sit in Swansea for some time and the existing West Wales services being split at Swansea every 2 hours it could be tight. All these things would need to be looked into more.

I suspect Platform 4 is available most of the day. GWR only really use one platform in the day time.

 

[Jez]

Also I suppose if there is no MK4 at that time the 0745 from Swansea could run through to Manchester as a 5 car 197 and then return at 1230 with the usual split arrangement at Swansea or even run through to Carmarthen as a 5 car as extra capacity would be good at that time of the afternoon.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Jun 2025 ==

I suspect Platform 4 is available most of the day. GWR only really use one platform in the day time.

There seems to be a 197 sat at P4 most of the day. I think it does one of the morning Cardiff-Swansea Swanlines and then does the 1630 back. But I suppose it could share P1 with the HOWL trains that also sit there for some time. Keep one platform for the Manchester/West Wales services and Swanline/Pembroke Dock. One plaform for GWR and then one platform for the MK4. It would certainly make Swansea far busier than it has been in the daytime.

 

[Topological]

Also I suppose if there is no MK4 at that time the 0745 from Swansea could run through to Manchester as a 5 car 197 and then return at 1230 with the usual split arrangement at Swansea or even run through to Carmarthen as a 5 car as extra capacity would be good at that time of the afternoon.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Jun 2025 ==


There seems to be a 197 sat at P4 most of the day. I think it does one of the morning Cardiff-Swansea Swanlines and then does the 1630 back. But I suppose it could share P1 with the HOWL trains that also sit there for some time. Keep one platform for the Manchester/West Wales services and Swanline/Pembroke Dock. One plaform for GWR and then one platform for the MK4. It would certainly make Swansea far busier than it has been in the daytime.

I did not know that there was a 197 that can spend a day sitting in Swansea. I will think of it next time there is a shortform on a Manchester

The Mk4 could share Platform 4 if it is set up for permissive working. The other platforms are to my knowledge.

 

[Jez]

I did not know that there was a 197 that can spend a day sitting in Swansea. I will think of it next time there is a shortform on a Manchester

The Mk4 could share Platform 4 if it is set up for permissive working. The other platforms are to my knowledge.

well im not 100% sure but I think 0747 Cardiff to Swansea sits in Swansea until 1629 when it does a return Swanline service to Cardiff. Its because Swanline becomes hourly during peak time and its different to the usual 2 hourly Pembroke Dock to Cardiffs. Maybe there isnt anywhere else for the unit to go during the day or any train crew? A few sit in Carmarthen for a couple of hours each but during the Summer have been used for 2 x Carmarthen to Tenby services. These of course used to work services to Cardiff from Carmarthen at around 9am and 11am but were curtailed to terminate in Carmarthen.

Unsure what happens on a Saturday however.