ATW Premier Service

[Gareth Marston]

We still have decaying eyesore bays. Especially as not much use it. There is a 4 car 150 parked up at the minute tho, probably because of the flooding everywhere.

See on news Caergwrle got hit bad - units off Wrexham - bidston?

 

[merlodlliw]

See on news Caergwrle got hit bad - units off Wrexham - bidston?

I have a non scientific weather station, here in Bwlchgwyn we have had a months rainfall in the period 0500 to 1400 today when it stopped downpouring , three inches fell, a months rainfall in nine hours, never seen so many flooded roads in the Wrexham area ever. North Wales Police have issued a don't travel warning to drivers.

Bob
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

We still have decaying eyesore bays. Especially as not much use it. There is a 4 car 150 parked up at the minute tho, probably because of the flooding everywhere.

but the bays are clean,unlike five years ago, NR use them to park up contractors equipment which I observed on Friday.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Gerald is on his way back north tonight, but has turned into an all-shacks service to Shrewsbury, after which it is "cancelled".
Seems to be the first train to run north of Hereford after the deluge.

Lots of trouble around Chester and Shrewsbury today, although the line between them seems to have been one of the few to have stayed open.

 

[merlodlliw]

Gerald is on his way back north tonight, but has turned into an all-shacks service to Shrewsbury, after which it is "cancelled".
Seems to be the first train to run north of Hereford after the deluge.

Lots of trouble around Chester and Shrewsbury today, although the line between them seems to have been one of the few to have stayed open.

Yes lots of problems,one wonders why The Wag Ex is stopped at Salop when the line Salop/Wrexham/Chester is open.Suppose it will run as empty stock back to Holyhead.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Yes lots of problems,one wonders why The Wag Ex is stopped at Salop when the line Salop/Wrexham/Chester is open.Suppose it will run as empty stock back to Holyhead.

Shrewsbury-Chester now closed too!

 

[PHILIPE]

Been closed most of the day.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Been closed most of the day.

I was following NRES, and to be honest, I don't really trust what is posted on there when there is a lot of disruption.
Chester-Shrewsbury was not mentioned all day until just before I posted.
I'm sure they have been overwhelmed with keeping up to date with all the incidents, but what is posted frequently conflicts with departure boards.
eg trains have not been running Chester-Rock Ferry on NRES but some trains have been showing "on time" throughout a Chester-Liverpool-Chester run on LDB.
NRES has also been showing no trains Chester-Crewe, but at least one Up and two Down VT trains got through on LDB.
The afternoon HHD-EUS turned round at Milton Keynes 90min late to form the 1810 from Euston.
The staff did well to battle through as they did.

 

[andypops]

Gerald is on his way back north tonight, but has turned into an all-shacks service to Shrewsbury, after which it is "cancelled".
Seems to be the first train to run north of Hereford after the deluge.

Lots of trouble around Chester and Shrewsbury today, although the line between them seems to have been one of the few to have stayed open.

FYI - WAG2 was run using the 3-car 175/1 which had originally arrived on the 1750 CDF --> Manchester Piccadilly (which was cancelled). The set stayed at the platform at CDF after arrival from the West, before departing on time (1821) and running essentially on-time to Hereford. The guard was initially told by control that it was running only to Hfd, but then at Abergavenny was informed that it was going to be the first one North of Hereford to Shrews to examine the line, before returning ECS overnight.


Andy
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I was following NRES, and to be honest, I don't really trust what is posted on there when there is a lot of disruption.
Chester-Shrewsbury was not mentioned all day until just before I posted.

Sorry but I must disagree - I noticed it at ~1530-1600. It was also on ATW's website from around the same time.

The staff did well to battle through as they did.

Yes, it amazes me just how many people think that ATW control the weather, and blamed them for it. Shows the stupidity of the majority of commuters / sheep.

Just think of the chaos we'd be in if they actually did control the weather...the wrong weather would turn up for its booked diagram late, dirty and without the staff who sign it!

 

[merlodlliw]

I think your comment "sheep" & "Stupid" is a tad over the top,commuters are not as well briefed as us, I would not have been too happy if I was stranded,at least you did not call them "Plebs" ATW I agree don't control the weather but do control the Trains as the TOC, ATWs Cardiff control room is perhaps too distant to understand North East Wales unmanned stations pax information requuirments.

any how this is what Charlie Hume of North Wales rail website made of it,I agree with George Jones of Wrexham comments, lack of information on the screens & no Tannoy announcements. The story is copied below with permission of North Wales Rail newsboard



Stormy Weather

Extreme weather conditions overcame the railways of the eastern part of our area on Monday 24 September: The following was copied from the Arriva Trains Wales website at 21:16:
Owing to flooding between Bidston and Shotton train services through these stations may be subject to disruption on all routes at short notice.

Owing to flooding between Wellington Shropshire and Oakengates train services through these stations may be subject to disruption

Owing to flooding between Wem and Yorton train services through these stations may be subject to disruption on all routes at short notice.

Owing to flooding between Hereford and Shrewsbury all lines are blocked. Train services through these stations may be subject to disruption on all routes at short notice. An estimate for the resumption of normal services will be provided as soon as the problem has been fully assessed.

Owing to flooding between Crewe and Chester the line is closed.

Owing to flooding between Wrexham General and Shrewsbury all lines are blocked.

Owing to flooding between Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester Piccadilly all lines are blocked. Train services running through these stations may be terminated at and started back from Warrington Bank Quay at short notice. All stations between Warrington Bank Quay and Manchester Piccadilly will not be served.

Owing to flooding at Shrewsbury all lines are closed.

Customer Advice: PASSENGERS ARE ADVISED NOT TO TRAVEL. The following lines are closed:
Shrewsbury and Crewe Southbound.
Chester and Crewe in both directions.
Wrexham Ctl to Bidston in both directions.
Chester - Shrewsbury suspended in both directions.
Extremely limited road transport is operating.
Road transport is being sourced where possible to operate Tuesday 25.09.12
The Premier service had a bad start to its second week '18:21 Cardiff - Holyhead. This train will be terminated at Shrewsbury at 20:04. First class not available. Catering is not available.'

George Jones reports from Wrexham General: 'At 18:45 it was apparent the Cardiff-bound 175 hadn't appeared and a group of would-be passengers dispersed. Next train on the board was shown as the Virgin Trains 20:38 terminating - the earlier 19:38 Arriva train was not showing; second train showing as the 21:38 'expected on time' as the usual default.

'People were waiting on platform 2 for the 19:02 to Holyhead shown as 'on time' but it did not appear and the train vanished off the board - always a bad sign with no further information. It was left to me to suggest to them that it wouldn't be running when 19:06 came round and still no sign. The security men who were on duty said there was flooding at both ends of the line and no trains had been through all day - not that the platform electronic information seemed to reflect this and no tannoy announcements.

'It was left to a young guy with an iPad to discover all trains were cancelled between Shrewsbury and Chester - presumably all passengers are now expected to carry one of these around. What was the information like for passengers at a lonely Ruabon or Chirk I wonder?'


Bob
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Been closed most of the day.

But sadly not identified on the information screens at stations. Or on the main NR website.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

This morning, Gerald is stuck at Chester, despite the NRES/ATW web sites saying Chester-Crewe and Chester-Shrewsbury lines are open.
Of course it might not be the loco set.

 

[merlodlliw]

This morning, Gerald is stuck at Chester, despite the NRES/ATW web sites saying Chester-Crewe and Chester-Shrewsbury lines are open.
Of course it might not be the loco set.

It probably is a DMU, I am pretty sure Gerald never left Cardiff last evening., on the other hand not sure if it left Chester yesterday morning, I note WAG2 from Llandudno was running late via Wrexham today

 

[Gareth Marston]

It probably is a DMU, I am pretty sure Gerald never left Cardiff last evening., on the other hand not sure if it left Chester yesterday morning, I note WAG2 from Llandudno was running late via Wrexham today

Saw a 3 car 175 today at Wrexham General using the cross over at south of station to get from the DOWN to the UP line about 1510. She was already most of way over when I went over Mold Rd bridge so couldn't tell you if she came off Platforms 2 or 3.

Mrs M reports that a taxi driver at Shrewsbury station told her today that he was less than impressed with ATWs arrangements yesterday. Last train to Chester was a hired in 52 seater coach from a firm in Halifax! Over an hour late and only 9 passengers with plenty of local taxis sitting around doing nothing.

 

[merlodlliw]

Saw a 3 car 175 today at Wrexham General using the cross over at south of station to get from the DOWN to the UP line about 1510. She was already most of way over when I went over Mold Rd bridge so couldn't tell you if she came off Platforms 2 or 3.

Mrs M reports that a taxi driver at Shrewsbury station told her today that he was less than impressed with ATWs arrangements yesterday. Last train to Chester was a hired in 52 seater coach from a firm in Halifax! Over an hour late and only 9 passengers with plenty of local taxis sitting around doing nothing.

I am sure lessons have been learned?,presume the coach was via Crewe,as no one would be on Wrexham General expecting a bus to Chester

The175 would be off platform two, as the line Wrexham to Chester was shut down again on Tuesday.

Bob

 

[jones_bangor]

Still mark 2s and 67 top and tail this morning.

 

[merlodlliw]

Still mark 2s and 67 top and tail this morning.

Its very disappointing,now heres a thought, its only nine full weeks to the new December timetables, I just wonder will the lead times now be adjusted to this date for the mark threes & DVT?

was in your County on the (TRaCC)side at Tonfanau last Thursday, excellent day looking at the Wales Coastal paths new bridge site next to the railway bridge,about half a mile from the station, pity Gwynedd County Council never took the old balley bridge over before the MOD demolished it,I understand the then Gwynedd CC refused it according to the local County Cllr who was present.


Bob

 

[quarella]

ATWs Cardiff control room is perhaps too distant to understand North East Wales unmanned stations pax information requuirments.

From working in a TOC control in a former life I can assure you that those using our nearest station to the extremes of the area and everywhere inbetween all felt hard done by at times.

 

[merlodlliw]

From working in a TOC control in a former life I can assure you that those using our nearest station to the extremes of the area and everywhere inbetween all felt hard done by at times.

It was just an opinion, which seems to pop up from times, Cardiff being 160 miles away, others in the trade also have mentioned this, but thanks for your opinion as a real life controller.

Some more excellent pics of the Wag Express in this weeks North Wales Rail newsboard, a good read is 'Last of the Summer WAG', or 'The Long Way Round' - by Adam Barnard, I found this Bangor University students route to be fascinating to get to Newport from Sudbury.
Another look at the at the Arriva Premier Express via Crewe also features many pics & story, heres the link to it http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nwnews.htm
these articles seem to be over carried from last weeks special Wag Ex edition thought Id mention them as we are on the Premier Service threads
Bob

 

[merlodlliw]

According to very well informed sources, Gerald(better known as the Wag Express) at last goes Mark3 & DVT tomorrow evening, the information is in today's edition of the very well informed North Wales Rail newsboard, which I have copied in full with permission of the editor Charlie Hume http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nwnews.htm

"
Gerald's big day

Arriva Trains Wales plan (although we have no guarantee) to start push-pull working with the refurbished Mk 3 coaches and Drriving Van Trailer with Wednesday evening, 10 October, northbound from Cardiff. We don't know which way the locomotives will face to start with, but apparently the intention is to reverse it every few weeks to keep drivers' traction knowledge balanced. Good news for photographers maybe, although the train will traverse our area in darkness most of the year.

We have also heard that Royal Train loco 67 005 Queens Messenger has been added to the Arriva Trains Wales 'pool' of locomotives, joining 67 001 to 67 003, covering for one of the other locos receiving attention.

If you are interested in the doings of Gerald of Wales: the ancient traveller and scholar after which the train is named (although it very rarely carries the headboard) a recent Radio 4 programme about him presented by Melvyn Bragg isavailable to listen again on the BBC website for a few days. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01n1rbn. "

 

[dancoupe22]

Does anyone have pictures of the newly refurbished mk3's?

 

[merlodlliw]

Does anyone have pictures of the newly refurbished mk3's?

welcome dancoupe, we will have tomorrow, the Mark3s must have been on a trial run somewhere, or can they be brought into service from Pullman direct?
But they will have an eight hour window tomorrow when the mark2s are dumped at Canton
Bob

 

[rftorf]

Spotted a 67 with 3 Arriva Mk3's and DVT heading through Newport at around 1.30pm. The 67 was on the North with the DVT on the Cardiff end.

 

[merlodlliw]

Spotted a 67 with 3 Arriva Mk3's and DVT heading through Newport at around 1.30pm. The 67 was on the North with the DVT on the Cardiff end.

and again welcome rftorf, so tomorrow is the start so it seems.

Bob

 

[Pugland53]

Saw the new set down Canton earlier on. The carriages/DVT looked spotlessly clean and the windows were nicely tinted. The 67 at the front today was the brown EWS loco with Queens plaque on the side. Loco was Cardiff end, DVT Swansea end.

 

[merlodlliw]

Saw the new set down Canton earlier on. The carriages/DVT looked spotlessly clean and the windows were nicely tinted. The 67 at the front today was the brown EWS loco with Queens plaque on the side. Loco was Cardiff end, DVT Swansea end.

That all ties up,Ill get me flag out at Wrexham General tomorrow evening,its just like W/S returning, but to platform two not three,this must be the best train on rails anywhere in Wales or the UK since W/S.(did i really say that )

Bob

 

[sprinterguy]

Saw the new set down Canton earlier on. The carriages/DVT looked spotlessly clean and the windows were nicely tinted. The 67 at the front today was the brown EWS loco with Queens plaque on the side. Loco was Cardiff end, DVT Swansea end.

Brown?? One is not amused It's Royal Claret!

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

That all ties up,Ill get me flag out at Wrexham General tomorrow evening,its just like W/S returning, but to platform two not three,this must be the best train on rails anywhere in Wales or the UK since W/S.(did i really say that )

Bob

Yes, you did!

 

[Chester025]

Just found this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/msrail_photography/8072042654/

 

[dancoupe22]

Just found this:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/msrail_photography/8072042654/

Brilliant! It looks good. Will this be the everyday rake (2 standard, and a first), or is this just a testing set? It'd be a shame to lose a standard class carriage, unless of course the longer mark 3's have an increased seating capacity...

 

[Rhydgaled]

Brilliant! It looks good. Will this be the everyday rake (2 standard, and a first), or is this just a testing set? It'd be a shame to lose a standard class carriage, unless of course the longer mark 3's have an increased seating capacity...

Is the first class coach either of the two ATW have been using or is it an extra one? If the latter, what will happen to the orriginals, if the former when did it get re-painted?

While the train mainly looks good I think the lighter shade of blue used on the doors on this new rake (which I think is the same as on ATW's refurbished 158s and all other ATW is) results in it looking less good than the livery on the mark 2s (where the doors are, I think, the same colour as the horizontal lines along the bodysides and the roughly semi-cuircular Arriva swish on the ends of refurbished ATW 158s).

I too hope the service formation is longer, perhaps it is just a temporary measure while more coaches are refurbished.

I think the Premier service poster in the staircase at Shrewsbury still shows the northbound Gerald at 16:15 from Cardiff.

 

[jones_bangor]

Brilliant! It looks good. Will this be the everyday rake (2 standard, and a first), or is this just a testing set? It'd be a shame to lose a standard class carriage, unless of course the longer mark 3's have an increased seating capacity...

I though they'd refurbished more than 2 x standard Mk 3s.

Caught the 16:21 northbound on Monday, 2 x car 175 full and standing. I imagine there'll be plenty of seats on the 18:21 express, leaves Cardiff too late in my opinion...... 17:21 would have been a much better option! I'm sure the passenger figures will tell a tale....