ATW stock allocation questions

[Greenback]

A 150 feels more like a proper train to me. Maybe it's the lack of carpets, the noise, the opening windows, but I do enjoy the experience!

Managed to get a 150, a 143 and a 175 on a ride up 'the valleys' on Saturday!

 

[Welshman]

A 150 feels more like a proper train to me. Maybe it's the lack of carpets, the noise, the opening windows, but I do enjoy the experience!
Managed to get a 150, a 143 and a 175 on a ride up 'the valleys' on Saturday!

Quite.
And if only they had compartments with six-aside bench seating padded with horsehair, and a leather strap with which to open those windows, thus letting-in air mixed with coal smuts, they'd be ideal!

 

[PHILIPE]

A 150 feels more like a proper train to me. Maybe it's the lack of carpets, the noise, the opening windows, but I do enjoy the experience!

Managed to get a 150, a 143 and a 175 on a ride up 'the valleys' on Saturday!

175 up the Valleys ? Unless it was Ebbw Vale or Maesteg.
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Is there a stock shortage also? Last Wednesday, travelling to Chester from Bangor and return, I had a 150 both ways...replacing LHCS outward and 175 on return. It's many years since that happened to me. (Oddly enough I preferred the 150 to the 175!)

Mentioned already, here:-

www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=113971&page=25

 

[craigybagel]

Shortage of drivers mentioned also as reason on Journey Check.

Indeed, but I try to only post positive news There is one particular depot in the north that is especially short staffed on the drivers side at the moment, and a couple of others that are short guards. The latter issue should hopefully get a lot better very soon

 

[Gareth Marston]

Indeed, but I try to only post positive news There is one particular depot in the north that is especially short staffed on the drivers side at the moment, and a couple of others that are short guards. The latter issue should hopefully get a lot better very soon

Does it begin with P?

 

[ValleyLines142]

I can live with a 150 on Maesteg or Ebbw Vales etc. Any further, then it's a no. In Manchester once a 150+153 were working a service back to South Wales on the service I was due to travel so I got the following one which was a 175!

 

[berneyarms]

I can live with a 150 on Maesteg or Ebbw Vales etc. Any further, then it's a no. In Manchester once a 150+153 were working a service back to South Wales on the service I was due to travel so I got the following one which was a 175!

Surely if the alternative is no train at all then I think people will live with it.

It's not ideal but if there is no other option other than cancellation then I suspect that it's the best available.

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

A 150 feels more like a proper train to me. Maybe it's the lack of carpets, the noise, the opening windows, but I do enjoy the experience!

Managed to get a 150, a 143 and a 175 on a ride up 'the valleys' on Saturday!

I was surprised that I enjoyed it! There is something about the 'whine' of the 175 that really puts me off, and the noise of the air-conditioning.

 

[Bungle965]

I was surprised that I enjoyed it! There is something about the 'whine' of the 175 that really puts me off, and the noise of the air-conditioning.

You see I completely disagree. I think that the 175`s are very good units (they are looking tired though and could do with a full refurb). One of the best things about them is the amount of legroom you get even without the table seat. As for the air con and the whine, I can tend to zone out once doing work or reading a book.
Each to their own though!
Sam

 

[ValleyLines142]

Surely if the alternative is no train at all then I think people will live with it.

It's not ideal but if there is no other option other than cancellation then I suspect that it's the best available.

It is yes but I'm speaking for myself, not on behalf of everyone else.

 

[craigybagel]

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/nor...arriva-trains-11309877#ICID=sharebar_facebook

Rail passengers in North Wales face overcrowding and possible delays this summer after corrosion was found on a fleet of diesel trains.

All Class 175 Coradia units operated by Arriva Trains Wales need urgent repairs, and four are already out of service at the company’s Chester depot.

The 175s, which form two- and three-carriage trains, are ATW’s most modern rolling stock and entered service in 2000. They can reach speeds of 100mph and are used on most Holyhead-Cardiff and Llandudno-Manchester services.


Charlie Hulme, who runs an online noticeboard on the North Wales coast railway, said: “The corrosion affects window frames, stump pillars and solebars.

“It is believed to be the first significant corrosion in the post-privatisation diesel motor unit fleet and ATW expects the repairs to be completed by September.

“It’s fortunate that all the Arriva Class 150 units, which are being pressed into service on long-distance routes, have refurbished interiors.”

He added the Class 150s, which are limited to a top speed of 75mph, are also in need of repairs.

“Arriva will have fewer trains available until the work is completed, making shorter, slower trains inevitable and the probability of cancellations that much higher,” he said.

ATW could hire additional trains but have no plans to do so.

A company spokeswoman said: “We can confirm four of our 175 units are currently out of use for corrosion repairs, also our 150 fleet is undergoing corrosion repairs.

“We have not seen any significant impact on performance.

“However we’ve tried to use 158 stock instead of 150 stock where possible as 158s can attain 90mph vice a 175’s max speed of 100mph (and there are not very many 100mph stretches of track on our network.)

“We have obviously tried to allocate the replacement two-car fleet to the quietest services where possible but some affected peak time services have been busier than usual.

“We will not be sourcing any extra capacity due to the timescales involved and lack of availability and there are no plans to use loco stock on the weekends.

“We hope that all of the corrosion maintenance work will be completed by summer 2016.

“We regret any inconvenience that this has caused to our customers whilst we carry out this essential maintenance work.”

 

[PHILIPE]

Somebody doesn't seem to know they also work between Manchester and West Wales.

 

[berneyarms]

Somebody doesn't seem to know they also work between Manchester and West Wales.

It is a newspaper aimed at North Wales to be fair.

They are only going to be primarily concerned about trains in their area of circulation.

 

[PHILIPE]

You've only got to have non-availability of the LHCS on the Manchester to North Wales job which happens quite often, 2x150s can be used to cover this, as was the case on two days last week, to make the situation even worse. I never twigged the point re the circulation area of the Daily Post.

 

[Parallel]

At least the 150s with ATW all have 2+2 seats, even if some do need a refresh. Better than having a GWR 150/1 or unrefurbished 150/2 on some of the longer distance services they operate!

 

[PHILIPE]

At least the 150s with ATW all have 2+2 seats, even if some do need a refresh. Better than having a GWR 150/1 or unrefurbished 150/2 on some of the longer distance services they operate!

150/1 Cardiff to Portsmouth Hbr - Horrible. Happens on frequent occasions

 

[ValleyLines142]

150/1 Cardiff to Portsmouth Hbr - Horrible. Happens on frequent occasions

Absolutely! Think the priority is to use either 150925 or 150926 in such cases, as despite not being the most comfortable rolling stock they do have the biggest capacity as both 3 car units.

 

[Cheshire Rover]

I've just picked this up from the Chester Chronicle.
http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/n.../corrosion-spell-delays-chester-rail-11310885

...Four Class 175 Coradia units operated by Arriva Trains Wales are already out of service at the company's Chester depot, and all its other 175s – which are used on most Holyhead-Cardiff and Llandudno-Manchester services – are in need or urgent repairs.


A company spokeswoman said: “We can confirm four of our 175 units are currently out of use for corrosion repairs, also our 150 fleet is undergoing corrosion repairs.


“We have not seen any significant impact on performance.
“However we’ve tried to use 158 stock instead of 150 stock where possible as 158s can attain 90mph vice a 175’s max speed of 100mph (and there are not very many 100mph stretches of track on our network.)

“We hope that all of the corrosion maintenance work will be completed by summer 2016.

Charlie Hulme, who runs an online noticeboard on the North Wales coast railway, said the corrosion affects window frames, stump pillars and solebars....

It would appear there have some corrosion issues affecting the window frames, stump pillars and sole bars, according to the article.

 

[coppercapped]

I've just picked this up from the Chester Chronicle.
http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/corrosion-spell-delays-chester-rail-11310885

It would appear there have some corrosion issues affecting the window frames, stump pillars and sole bars, according to the article.

Already reported in the May edition of Modern Railways, published at the end of April.

 

[MatthewRead]

Already reported in the May edition of Modern Railways, published at the end of April.

Yes i read about that and ATW won't do anything about it by providing additional capacity (ie using their loco hauled sets on weekends:-x)

 

[physics34]

its unlike birmingham built transport vehicles to suffer rust problems.......NOT!

 

[Harbornite]

its unlike birmingham built transport vehicles to suffer rust problems.......NOT!

That might have been relevant in the days of Austin, BMC, British Leyland and Rover. However, I don't hear many complaints about Jaguars rusting any more.

 

[Jez]

I have noticed quite a few 158s and 150s covering 175 in recent weeks so guessed a lot were out of service. So where are ATW finding the 158s to cover on the Manchester-Carmarthens? I guess the 3 south wales 158s may be used some of the time and subbed for 150s, as they cant take any off the cambrian line.

I took a journey up to Manchester last week, it was a 175 both journeys. But i was thinking how tired the 175s are looking to be honest. They are in bad need of a refresh. They also need power sockets.... its 2016 and i think they should have them on such long journeys. Someone at Manchester asked me if i knew where the power sockets were, I said they dont have any on these trains. I think that person may have had a 4 or 5 hour journey...... not great if you need charge your phone or use a laptop.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I can live with a 150 on Maesteg or Ebbw Vales etc. Any further, then it's a no. In Manchester once a 150+153 were working a service back to South Wales on the service I was due to travel so I got the following one which was a 175!

I have to say I do not mind a 150 and 153. Although perhaps not a 150 all the way from Manchester to Swansea. And I prefer a 158 over a 175, the state the 175s are in at moment...... If I had been faced with a 150+153 long distance i would prob have sat in the 153 if possible. I certainly wouldnt have waited an hour for the next train. thats like saying you would prefer the train being cancelled rather than being subbed for a 150..... Also id most likely have an advanced ticket so couldnt change the time even if i wanted to.

 

[PHILIPE]

It's difficult to pinpoint exactly where the 158s and 150s would have come from
when you get a wholesale juggling of resources. I've noticed some trains on the Cambrian being short formed and don't forget, there are spares within a fleet which should be to cover Maintenance or Repairs.

 

[Jez]

It's difficult to pinpoint exactly where the 158s and 150s would have come from
when you get a wholesale juggling of resources. I've noticed some trains on the Cambrian being short formed and don't forget, there are spares within a fleet which should be to cover Maintenance or Repairs.

Is it correct that 3 175s and 3 158s are booked in for maintenance each day. 4 on a weekend i think? But other than that every set is booked each day? I think there are some 150s spare tho, as 150s cover on pretty much every journey when required apart from the cambrian of course But unsure how many 150s are actually spare. Do you know the answer to that Philpe?

I guess they could rearrange non urgent maintenance if the worst came to the worst.

 

[PHILIPE]

Is it correct that 3 175s and 3 158s are booked in for maintenance each day. 4 on a weekend i think? But other than that every set is booked each day? I think there are some 150s spare tho, as 150s cover on pretty much every journey when required apart from the cambrian of course But unsure how many 150s are actually spare. Do you know the answer to that Philpe?

I guess they could rearrange non urgent maintenance if the worst came to the worst.

No. Can't answer, I'm afraid

 

[6Gman]

That might have been relevant in the days of Austin, BMC, British Leyland and Rover. However, I don't hear many complaints about Jaguars rusting any more.

Aren't Jaguars built at Halewood?

(And I suspect the original comment may have been directed at buses built in a certain area of Birmingham ... not distant from where the 175s were manufactured ... )

 

[craigybagel]

Is it correct that 3 175s and 3 158s are booked in for maintenance each day. 4 on a weekend i think? But other than that every set is booked each day? I think there are some 150s spare tho, as 150s cover on pretty much every journey when required apart from the cambrian of course But unsure how many 150s are actually spare. Do you know the answer to that Philpe?

I guess they could rearrange non urgent maintenance if the worst came to the worst.

I believe it's meant to be one hot spare 150 at Chester and Canton each day.

 

[PHILIPE]

ATW 175005 now formed up with coach from 04 and coach from 04. 175110 back to being formed as 3 Coach Unit.

 

[northwichcat]

Aren't Jaguars built at Halewood?

Yes Jaguars are built at Halewood and Bentleys are built at Crewe. Not many normal cars seem to still be made in Britain any more but we build plenty of luxury cars.