ATW stock allocation questions

[Gareth Marston]

The company has spent a fortune above what they were committed to spend in the franchise agreement.

Can you provide a breakdown on what has been spent and where?

The latest wheeze is for the onbaord PIS to say "train calling at" and not have the next stop showing i.e we were coming down Trewern bank this evening about 5 minutes south of Welshpool and it was showing "calling at Newtown, Caersws etc"

 

[craigybagel]

Surely all the phone is doing is letting you access Genius via web browser? Though at times it can be a little unreliable and of course relies on having a phone signal to access it.

Correct.

Can you provide a breakdown on what has been spent and where?

The latest wheeze is for the onbaord PIS to say "train calling at" and not have the next stop showing i.e we were coming down Trewern bank this evening about 5 minutes south of Welshpool and it was showing "calling at Newtown, Caersws etc"

As per http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/PassengerExperience/?langtype=1106

Arriva Trains Wales has itself invested £30m of money in new infrastructure, against a franchise requirement of just £400k. This includes £2m on Train Driver simulators, £2m on wheel lathes in Canton, Cardiff and a £3m investment in a brand new train maintenance depot in Machynlleth.

The issue with the PIS is part of the latest work around to try and get request stops working - although I will agree its not ideal.

 

[PHILIPE]

150240 is the latest 150 to be repainted and refurbished.

The list of units now completed include:

150213
150227
150229
150230
150236
150237
150240
150250
150251
150253
150255
150257
150278
150279
150281

I haven't 150235 for a while; I personally think this one is next!

You have now, I see.

 

[ValleyLines142]

You have now, I see.

And it actually has! Saw it at Queen Street this morning on 2P07.

I'll guess 150283 next.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Correct.



As per http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/PassengerExperience/?langtype=1106

Arriva Trains Wales has itself invested £30m of money in new infrastructure, against a franchise requirement of just £400k. This includes £2m on Train Driver simulators, £2m on wheel lathes in Canton, Cardiff and a £3m investment in a brand new train maintenance depot in Machynlleth.]

So £23 million or 72% of it is unquantifiable.

 

[craigybagel]

I'm sure if you asked them they'd be happy to list the rest.

 

[PHILIPE]

175115 worked Manchester/Coast Friday 29th. Reason unknown. A Unit covered one day last week also but not shown as a short form on ATW Journey Check.

 

[ValleyLines142]

175115 worked Manchester/Coast Friday 29th. Reason unknown. A Unit covered one day last week also but not shown as a short form on ATW Journey Check.

What is Manchester/Coast exactly?

 

[berneyarms]

Presumably Manchester-Llandudno?

 

[PHILIPE]

Presumably Manchester-Llandudno?

Correct. Holyhead also. Forgot to say the LHCS service.

 

[Welshman]

1D34 [0950 Manchester Piccadilly-Holyhead LHCS]was a 158/150 combination along the NW Coast this morning.

Has it been so throughout the diagram so far, and does anyone know the reason why?

 

[PHILIPE]

1D34 [0950 Manchester Piccadilly-Holyhead LHCS]was a 158/150 combination along the NW Coast this morning.

Has it been so throughout the diagram so far, and does anyone know the reason why?

Can't answer your question as to why LHCS not available but yesterday and today being worked by Combo of 150280+150285.
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Further to this, LCHS hasn't operated this service since last Thursday. There have been sliding door problems with DVT which may be ongoing. Incidentally there was an ECS move today from Crewe to Canton with 67002 (after B Exam) and DVT82036. Whether this has been the problem DVT or not, I don't know.
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67022 (EWS liveried) today (Thursday)

 

[Welshman]

67022 (EWS liveried) today (Thursday)

That's interesting. Thank you.
Looks as though the problem was with 67001, then.

 

[ValleyLines142]

158827 has its carriage numbers on one side that are placed ridiculously high up compared with the rest of the class/fleet. Really annoys me and I want to peel them off and put them at the correct height (i.e. in comparison with the rest of the fleet!).

 

[PHILIPE]

That's interesting. Thank you.
Looks as though the problem was with 67001, then.

See post #282. Problem DVT doors not loco.
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Can expect to see 67012 on Manchester LHCS before long. It has been put into the ATW Pool vice 67001 which requires new wheel sets.
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Have noticed that ATW Journey Check Section listing delayed services now reminding passengers that compensation may be available.

 

[BHXDMT]

Quick question...

Travelled back from Birmingham to Shrewsbury on 1J23 (1607 Birmingham Intl to Aberystwyth/Pwllheli) today and noted it was formed of 6 carriages not the usual 4. All 6 appeared to go down the Cambrian afterwards.

Is this a permanent change since the May timetable?

 

[PHILIPE]

Quick question...

Travelled back from Birmingham to Shrewsbury on 1J23 (1607 Birmingham Intl to Aberystwyth/Pwllheli) today and noted it was formed of 6 carriages not the usual 4. All 6 appeared to go down the Cambrian afterwards.

Is this a permanent change since the May timetable?

Yes, I think so. with 2 to Aberystwyth and 4 to Pwllheli to get 4 there for morning due to extra starter from Pwllheli in the mornings since the new Timetable..

 

[BHXDMT]

Yes, I think so. with 2 to Aberystwyth and 4 to Pwllheli to get 4 there for morning due to extra starter from Pwllheli in the mornings since the new Timetable..

Great, thanks! Makes a difference as 1J23 can sometimes be quite busy off Birmingham on a Sunday afternoon.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Great, thanks! Makes a difference as 1J23 can sometimes be quite busy off Birmingham on a Sunday afternoon.

And Monday , Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday

 

[berneyarms]

Yes, I think so. with 2 to Aberystwyth and 4 to Pwllheli to get 4 there for morning due to extra starter from Pwllheli in the mornings since the new Timetable..

Surely there's already a second set in Pwllheli Philipe?

There are two sets there overnight on Saturday night, and only one of those sets is used on Sunday.

 

[PHILIPE]

Surely there's already a second set in Pwllheli Philipe?

There are two sets there overnight on Saturday night, and only one of those sets is used on Sunday.

No. It would be a waste of a set lying at Pwllheli. The 11 30 ex Pwllheli is formed 4 Cars, 2 forward from Machynlleth attached to Birmingham as per norm, and the other 2 going to Aberystwyth and forming new 14 30 Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury otherwise there wouldn't be a unit for it..

 

[ValleyLines142]

ATW took a real beating on Twitter on Saturday, as apparently despite the extra services, trains were still formed of their usual length during the One Direction concert. One passenger who was trying to get from Pontyclun to Cardiff had to let TWO services go by as she couldn't get on the train. In the end she had to get a taxi. With the service only being hourly from Pontyclun, that really isn't good and if you see her responses on Twitter she was not a happy bunny!

It seems that the old 'we have no more trains to lease' sob story came out that day.

 

[Gareth Marston]

ATW took a real beating on Twitter on Saturday, as apparently despite the extra services, trains were still formed of their usual length during the One Direction concert. One passenger who was trying to get from Pontyclun to Cardiff had to let TWO services go by as she couldn't get on the train. In the end she had to get a taxi. With the service only being hourly from Pontyclun, that really isn't good and if you see her responses on Twitter she was not a happy bunny!

It seems that the old 'we have no more trains to lease' sob story came out that day.

Did they also say they let 22 carriages rot in the sidings rather than use them , they were bought just for occasions like this but the MD that bought them was sacked by head office as it threatend profits. ATW "only" made 10% pre tax profits last year.

 

[PHILIPE]

Some overcrowding on ATW Marches today, with attempts made to attach further vehicles at Shrewsbury. Well done.
Also overcrowding due to Cosford Air Show despite 2 additional trains shuttling between Shrewsbury, Cosford and Wolverhampton.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Some overcrowding on ATW Marches today, with attempts made to attach further vehicles at Shrewsbury. Well done.
Also overcrowding due to Cosford Air Show despite 2 additlional trains shuttling between Shrewsbury, Cosford and Wolverhampton.

Let us pray they didn't start putting out messages about "unusually large passenger flows".

 

[TDK]

Let us pray they didn't start putting out messages about "unusually large passenger flows".

Considering it was Cosford Air Show I would imagine that the statement would be correct for people not having knowledge of the show taking place and as it is a once a year occurrence it is unusual.

 

[PHILIPE]

Let us pray they didn't start putting out messages about "unusually large passenger flows".

No, purely overcrowding was the explanation.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Considering it was Cosford Air Show I would imagine that the statement would be correct for people not having knowledge of the show taking place and as it is a once a year occurrence it is unusual.

but for the operator who has had it every year since it took on the franchise its not...
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No, purely overcrowding was the explanation.

sensible

 

[craigybagel]

but for the operator who has had it every year since it took on the franchise its not...

Which is why it ran extra trains, and it had as many units out as possible, and extra crews out to work them. As did LM. Units were shuffled around over several days to have as much capacity as possible available for Cosford.

 

[Iskra]

I'm catching two ATW trains tomorrow, can anyone tell me if they have plug-socket provision? I've never travelled on the ATW network before and its been so long since I've been on a 175 that I can't remember what facilities they have.

0950 Piccadilly-Holyhead. Should be 67 plus mk3's, could be a 175.
1434 Holyhead-Cardiff. Should be a 175, could be a 158.