Credit where it's due

[Shrop]

Today's 1W55 train, the 08.54 from Cardiff to Manchester made an impressive run after starting out 29 minutes late, to arrive almost on time, and without any lengthy dwell times en route to assist. All credit to the train crew

 

[30907]

Shows the difference between a Mk4 l/h and a 197.

 

[Shrop]

Shows the difference between a Mk4 l/h and a 197.

That's an interesting point and probably worthy of taking further. If 197s really are so much faster, then perhaps there is scope for a bit of timetable re-jigging? But could you elaborate on the "difference" you stated? Do you not think a Mk4 set could have been capable of good time recovery with a keen traincrew and if the signalling was as favourable as it was for this 197 set?

 

[30907]

That's an interesting point and probably worthy of taking further. If 197s really are so much faster, then perhaps there is scope for a bit of timetable re-jigging? But could you elaborate on the "difference" you stated? Do you not think a Mk4 set could have been capable of good time recovery with a keen traincrew and if the signalling was as favourable as it was for this 197 set?

You may be right.

Looking at the detail, of the 27min regained, 13min was down to unused allowances, 7min to slick station work, and 7min to the unit - so my comment may not have been justified.

 

[craigybagel]

The 67 timings are a bit more relaxed than on 197s - they're slower to get going from a stop, and their dwell times are usually slower than as well. That said, looking at those timings it's clear that the 197 was in super power mode - this isn't necessary for normal 197 timings but it will help when running late.

67s are hardly sluggish though - they'll outperform even a 175 which before the new fleets came in were the fastest units in the TfW fleet - but a fully functioning 197 on super power mode is next level. If it had been a 3 car it would probably have made up even more time.