Cambrian hourly service consultation

[merlodlliw]

Any news on what rolling stock will be used for this?

Fairly sure all of ATW's units are used to their maximum as it is.

they will have to be 158s, probably taken off the Chester/Manchester morning runs, knowing the overcrowding on this line,too much for three car 175s,perhaps lock hauled will be contracted in, I presume the Minister should have taken this into account in the costings. ATW have no spare 158s,at least I dont think they do.

 

[Gareth Marston]

they will have to be 158s, probably taken off the Chester/Manchester morning runs, knowing the overcrowding on this line,too much for three car 175s,perhaps lock hauled will be contracted in, I presume the Minister should have taken this into account in the costings. ATW have no spare 158s,at least I dont think they do.

Dont forget your partial redouble should free up a unit off north to south diagrams. Sitting with sming face on 1321 Cardiff to Holyhead

 

[merlodlliw]

Dont forget your partial redouble should free up a unit off north to south diagrams. Sitting with sming face on 1321 Cardiff to Holyhead

Early finish then Gareth hope its a 150 your on for saying that, big story on the Newtown by pass in this evenings "Wales Today", ill look for you holding the anti banner.

 

[PHILIPE]

At a guess a 150 will be pulled out of the hat (there are 36 for 30 Diagrams) so even allowing for Maintenance knowing ATW will find one. This could replace one of the 158s which work in the South, i.e. Maesteg, Cheltenham, Pembroke Dk, Fishguard Ebbw Vale etc., Re HOW what is the position re the trial Fishguards so could be released perhaps. I think it is too early to do anything other than speculate at the moment, though.

 

[atclfc]

They'll increase the frequency by reducing the amount of units per service i.e. instead of 2x158s every 2hrs, it'll be 1x158 every hour.

 

[The Informer]

They'll increase the frequency by reducing the amount of units per service i.e. instead of 2x158s every 2hrs, it'll be 1x158 every hour.

Exactly that!!!

 

[Gareth Marston]

Early finish then Gareth hope its a 150 your on for saying that, big story on the Newtown by pass in this evenings "Wales Today", ill look for you holding the anti banner.

Desperately empty 3 car 175 it was, still next May I could have stayed in Cardiff and had lunch and got the 1405 to manchester and connected with 1627 to Aber instead of rushing.

Bypass exhibition well a lot of hot air about a line on the map there's the M4 relief road , heads of valleys dualling the Cardiff bay link road the Cardiff airport link road to find first.

 

[6Gman]

Interesting take on Cambrian improvements on Radio Cymru at lunchtime.

Somebody rang in asking "How are people to move stock across the line with so many trains? Will they build bridges?"

 

[Parallel]

They'll increase the frequency by reducing the amount of units per service i.e. instead of 2x158s every 2hrs, it'll be 1x158 every hour.

But surely they'd still need 2x158s every 2 hours (as it is at the moment), as they split at Machynlleth with one half going to Aberystwyth and the other going to Pwllheli.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Interesting take on Cambrian improvements on Radio Cymru at lunchtime.

Somebody rang in asking "How are people to move stock across the line with so many trains? Will they build bridges?"

conservative farmer boys around Welshpool are running a lets see what compensation we can get campaign. easily solved by building holding pens either side of line and phoning mach. outlay buying "old Tom" Montgomery agricultural contractor a few beers when he builds it for you.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

But surely they'd still need 2x158s every 2 hours (as it is at the moment), as they split at Machynlleth with one half going to Aberystwyth and the other going to Pwllheli.

extra unit freed by Wrexham redouble to put in mix too.

 

[berneyarms]

But surely they'd still need 2x158s every 2 hours (as it is at the moment), as they split at Machynlleth with one half going to Aberystwyth and the other going to Pwllheli.

With the mainline trains crossing at Dovey Junction, it's likely that the Coast line service will start and finish there - so no more splitting/joining.

 

[Gareth Marston]

With the mainline trains crossing at Dovey Junction, it's likely that the Coast line service will start and finish there - so no more splitting/joining.

Sources in ATW have always hinted at this.

 

[Parallel]

With the mainline trains crossing at Dovey Junction, it's likely that the Coast line service will start and finish there - so no more splitting/joining.

That could be interesting - Though with Machynlleth being a depot for both staff and stock I would have thought they'd start and terminate there. If the coast trains do terminate at Dovey Junction it would be interesting to see if it would have an effect on passenger numbers on the line.

 

[transmanche]

With the mainline trains crossing at Dovey Junction, it's likely that the Coast line service will start and finish there - so no more splitting/joining.

Cue an outbreak of complaints from those on the coast line complaining about having a worse service (no through trains/needing to change at Dovey Junction).

 

[cymro inside]

loco and stock diagram to Manchester is happening in may 15, rolling stock has been selected for overhaul, will release a 3 car 175 for a diagram reshuffle.

 

[anthony263]

I wonder what loco hauled stock ATW have decided to use if they have opted to use it for releasing some dmu's.

Maybe now ATW should have perhaps retained some of those mark 2 carriages they sold unless we get some additional mark 3's with a DVT.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

The 3-year trial takes it neatly to the end of the current franchise.
The extra costs are therefore the additional staff and the lease of loco-hauled set(s).
By "Manchester" services is that supposed to mean Cardiff-Manchester or Holyhead-Manchester?

 

[strettonarms96]

Desperately empty 3 car 175 it was, still next May I could have stayed in Cardiff and had lunch and got the 1405 to manchester and connected with 1627 to Aber instead of rushing.

Bypass exhibition well a lot of hot air about a line on the map there's the M4 relief road , heads of valleys dualling the Cardiff bay link road the Cardiff airport link road to find first.

I was on the 1515 from shrews thisafternoon, 3 car and also very empty, passed the ex1321 just before sutton bridge junction!

 

[berneyarms]

That could be interesting - Though with Machynlleth being a depot for both staff and stock I would have thought they'd start and terminate there. If the coast trains do terminate at Dovey Junction it would be interesting to see if it would have an effect on passenger numbers on the line.

It would be physically impossible to have trains splitting/joining at Machynlleth given the two trains on the mainline are going to cross one another at Dovey Junction.

I can't see how it will impact on passenger numbers given people will just cross a platform from one train to another.

Having examined the pathing, I would imagine that the likelihood is that the coast line trains would have over an hour at Dovey Junction between journeys which would allow them continue to Machynlleth for crew/stock changes once the Cambrian mainline train has cleared the section.

Cue an outbreak of complaints from those on the coast line complaining about having a worse service (no through trains/needing to change at Dovey Junction).

I suspect that this would be countered by the argument of the greater good, and the fact that from the statement yesterday I think we can read that an extra service will operate through to Pwllheli, and also the fact that at long last every coast line train will have a connection to both Shrewsbury and Aberystwyth at Dovey Junction.

 

[Gareth Marston]

I was on the 1515 from shrews thisafternoon, 3 car and also very empty, passed the ex1321 just before sutton bridge junction!

That all year round all day long distance traffic market is not really there.

 

[Parallel]

It would be physically impossible to have trains splitting/joining at Machynlleth given the two trains on the mainline are going to cross one another at Dovey Junction.

I can't see how it will impact on passenger numbers given people will just cross a platform from one train to another.

In summer, quite often the coast portions can get quite busy as families go to the beach - It's hassle changing for families, especially if they have prams and children who have just settled and such, it seems unfortunate that the coast will get less through trains to Shrewsbury/Wolverhampton/Birmingham as a result of Aberystwyth getting an hourly service.

Either way, what's going on with the coast portion is unconfirmed at the moment but it'll be interesting to see what they decide to do with it in the future.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Cue an outbreak of complaints from those on the coast line complaining about having a worse service (no through trains/needing to change at Dovey Junction).

No doubt but having spent 4 years commuting from Newtown to Machynlleth and seeing the numbers coming in off the coast trains in the late afternoon/ early evening there's very little through traffic for most of the year.

 

[merlodlliw]

conservative farmer boys around Welshpool are running a lets see what compensation we can get campaign. easily solved by building holding pens either side of line and phoning mach. outlay buying "old Tom" Montgomery agricultural contractor a few beers when he builds it for you.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


extra unit freed by Wrexham redouble to put in mix too.

So Gareth,does this mean half a unit,has the jobs been halved.Not surprised about the 175 3 car being empty from Cardiff to Holyhead,caught the same train from, Shrewsbury a few months ago to Wrexham poorly loaded, Old Tom, is he from Aberemule.

 

[Gareth Marston]

So Gareth,does this mean half a unit,has the jobs been halved.Not surprised about the 175 3 car being empty from Cardiff to Holyhead,caught the same train from, Shrewsbury a few months ago to Wrexham poorly loaded, Old Tom, is he from Aberemule.

The time savings mean the units can turn at Central instead of going to Canton for 2 hours the Cardiff re signalling will also help.

The 1527 to Aberystwyth (4 car) was fairly well loaded. Every village in Montgomeryshire has an "old Tom". the farmers want a nice big cheque off the railway for some all signing and dancing affair and when they get will ask old Tom down the pub to do something cash in hand.

 

[berneyarms]

In summer, quite often the coast portions can get quite busy as families go to the beach - It's hassle changing for families, especially if they have prams and children who have just settled and such, it seems unfortunate that the coast will get less through trains to Shrewsbury/Wolverhampton/Birmingham as a result of Aberystwyth getting an hourly service.

Either way, what's going on with the coast portion is unconfirmed at the moment but it'll be interesting to see what they decide to do with it in the future.

I think that the benefits for the whole route outweigh the negatives frankly - I think that is a very small price to pay.

I will bet my house on the change being at Dovey - as I've pointed out mainline trains will be passing between Welshpool & Fron, at Talerddig and at Dovey Junction. I just cannot see it being physically possible to do it any other way.

 

[merlodlliw]

The time savings mean the units can turn at Central instead of going to Canton for 2 hours the Cardiff re signalling will also help.

The 1527 to Aberystwyth (4 car) was fairly well loaded. Every village in Montgomeryshire has an "old Tom". the farmers want a nice big cheque off the railway for some all signing and dancing affair and when they get will ask old Tom down the pub to do something cash in hand.

Take your point about turn around at Cardiff Central,its a bit like the Llandudno to Manchesters waiting outside Piccadilly.

As for Montgomery "Old Tom" bit of a different meaning up here I get a 20% discount for cash when I do a few deals,saving the 20% bank charges of course.

 

[Gareth Marston]

I think that the benefits for the whole route outweigh the negatives frankly - I think that is a very small price to pay.

I will bet my house on the change being at Dovey - as I've pointed out mainline trains will be passing between Welshpool & Fron, at Talerddig and at Dovey Junction. I just cannot see it being physically possible to do it any other way.

the trains in the middle of the day still at 2hrly can split/join so "maintaining" the through service.

 

[PHILIPE]

So Gareth,does this mean half a unit,has the jobs been halved.Not surprised about the 175 3 car being empty from Cardiff to Holyhead,caught the same train from, Shrewsbury a few months ago to Wrexham poorly loaded, Old Tom, is he from Aberemule.

It could be heavily loaded from Chester, though. Many of theses long distance trains on the Marches pass through different time phases, i.e.quiet one end and busy at the other

 

[merlodlliw]

It could be heavily loaded from Chester, though. Many of theses long distance trains on the Marches pass through different time phases, i.e.quiet one end and busy at the other

You have a fair point,but the down Cardiffs to North Wales middle day,wont fill until the bigger areas of Salop/Wrexham and Chester.

As for the up similar,except for the old WAG2 still running Salop/Newport non stop with just a handfull on board from Salop.

 

[Starmill]

Carriage labelling and announcements with ATW ten yeArs and they still can't get it right or consistent !

The pre record at a Shrewsbury says front coach and rear coach in the singular, though the LM 170 in Platform 6 with its engines running never helps. Forget New St your lucky you get an announcement it's an ATW train to Wales.

Sometimes you just have to get in New St and worry about portion later especially in the PM a lot of people get off at Welshpool and Newtown making space so waiting till Caersws to move is usually the best option.

The standard 'Anne' splitting trains plays at Smethwick Galton Bridge.

"Platform 3 for the xx xx Arriva Trains Wales service to Pwllheli and Aberystwyth. Calling at Wolverhamtpon, Telford Central, Wellington, Shrewsbury, Welshpool, Newtown, Caersws and Machynlleth where the train divides. Please travel in the from two coaches of the train for Dovey Junction, Penhelig, Aberdovey ... Penychain, Aberech and Pwllheli. Please travel in the rear two coaches of the train for Dovey Junction, Borth and Aberystwyth. Penhelig, Tonfanau ... Penychain and Aberech are request stops and passengers for these stations should ask the conductor on the train to arrange for the train to stop to allow them to alight. Platform 3 for the xx xx Arriva Trains Wales service to Pwllheli and Aberystwyth."

Takes some time!