Crewe - Chester shuttle strengthened.

[Laurencew]

I notice that today the Chester to Crewe shuttle is being operated by the usual Arriva Trains Wales 150/2 but strengthened with an Arriva Trains Northern 150/2 (specifically 150201). Assuming this is a loan, presumably this is in anticipation of the VTWC strike since cancelled. Certainly four coaches are usually unnecessary on this service. This is the first example of Arriva group cooperation I have seen, but considering both franchises are short of diesel units presumably it will probably remain rare.


BTW, am I the only one who considers the trading name Arriva Trains Wales inappropriate and confusing for a franchise that operates many services totally in England and many others largely in England? I hope this can be sorted out in the next franchise.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

BTW, am I the only one who considers the trading name Arriva Trains Wales inappropriate and confusing for a franchise that operates many services totally in England and many others largely in England? I hope this can be sorted out in the next franchise.

One of the conditions the DfT imposed on WG letting the new franchise, was that "Wales & Borders" has to appear on the branding.
Strangely, the current ATW branding was decided when the SRA was still in charge, before the franchise transferred to WG management.

 

[PHILIPE]

I notice that today the Chester to Crewe shuttle is being operated by the usual Arriva Trains Wales 150/2 but strengthened with an Arriva Trains Northern 150/2 (specifically 150201). Assuming this is a loan, presumably this is in anticipation of the VTWC strike since cancelled. Certainly four coaches are usually unnecessary on this service. This is the first example of Arriva group cooperation I have seen, but considering both franchises are short of diesel units presumably it will probably remain rare.


BTW, am I the only one who considers the trading name Arriva Trains Wales inappropriate and confusing for a franchise that operates many services totally in England and many others largely in England? I hope this can be sorted out in the next franchise.

Was it only part time ? There is one stables at Chester between peaks and this was used recently to cover for a failed 175 to Manchester Picc and back.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Was it only part time ? There is one stables at Chester between peaks and this was used recently to cover for a failed 175 to Manchester Picc and back.

Talking abut failed 175s, I was surprised to read that the fleet has improved its reliability in the last year, and is 2.5 times more reliable than ATW's 158s.
From the anecdotes on here you would suspect the reverse.
The tables in Modern Railways "Spanners" feature have the detail (Jan 2018).
P7 2017/18 MTIN was 6959 for ATW's 158s, and 17634 for the 175s.
That implies just about flat for 158s compared to last year, and significantly better than last year (14%) for the 175s.
For comparison, TPE's 185s are at 26684, and SWR's 159s are at a stratospheric 104263.
There don't seem to be figures for ATW's LHCS stock, maybe just as well.

 

[PHILIPE]

Talking abut failed 175s, I was surprised to read that the fleet has improved its reliability in the last year, and is 2.5 times more reliable than ATW's 158s.
From the anecdotes on here you would suspect the reverse.
The tables in Modern Railways "Spanners" feature have the detail (Jan 2018).
P7 2017/18 MTIN was 6959 for ATW's 158s, and 17634 for the 175s.
That implies just about flat for 158s compared to last year, and significantly better than last year (14%) for the 175s.
For comparison, TPE's 185s are at 26684, and SWR's 159s are at a stratospheric 104263.
There don't seem to be figures for ATW's LHCS stock, maybe just as well.

Some 175s have been and still are out of action but not due to reliability. Tree bashing during rough weather conditions and fire damage.

 

[Welshman]

This is the first example of Arriva group cooperation I have seen, but considering both franchises are short of diesel units presumably it will probably remain rare.

There was an occasion a little over a year ago when a couple of Northern 150s were used on the Chester-Llandudno service.

http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nw1611a.htm

Second item down on Charlie Hulme's excellent newsletter.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Talking abut failed 175s, I was surprised to read that the fleet has improved its reliability in the last year, and is 2.5 times more reliable than ATW's 158s.
From the anecdotes on here you would suspect the reverse.
The tables in Modern Railways "Spanners" feature have the detail (Jan 2018).
P7 2017/18 MTIN was 6959 for ATW's 158s, and 17634 for the 175s.
That implies just about flat for 158s compared to last year, and significantly better than last year (14%) for the 175s.
For comparison, TPE's 185s are at 26684, and SWR's 159s are at a stratospheric 104263.
There don't seem to be figures for ATW's LHCS stock, maybe just as well.

ATW are one of the "worst" for stabling units away from their home depot. Whilst SWT and TPE have a large percentage of their fleet tucked up in Salisbury and Ardwick each night, ATW's 150,158 & 175 fleets are all over the shop. Whilst Machynlleth is home for the ATW's 24 strong 158 fleet, only 5 diagrams start there each day. Its inevitable given the wide area ATW operate in and general shortage of stock. Hopefully the new franchise will concentrate fleet sin certain areas.

 

[craigybagel]

Talking abut failed 175s, I was surprised to read that the fleet has improved its reliability in the last year, and is 2.5 times more reliable than ATW's 158s.
From the anecdotes on here you would suspect the reverse.
The tables in Modern Railways "Spanners" feature have the detail (Jan 2018).
P7 2017/18 MTIN was 6959 for ATW's 158s, and 17634 for the 175s.
That implies just about flat for 158s compared to last year, and significantly better than last year (14%) for the 175s.
For comparison, TPE's 185s are at 26684, and SWR's 159s are at a stratospheric 104263.
There don't seem to be figures for ATW's LHCS stock, maybe just as well.

I can believe it - take it from someone who works on both fleets regularly, the 175s are much more reliable then 158s! 158s give a better passenger experience for now with the updated interiors and especially the power sockets - but from a traincrew point of view give me a 175 any day....

 

[Parallel]

RE: Many services totally in England

There aren’t that many surely? Chester to Crewe shuttles, Shrewsbury to Crewe shuttles and Shrewsbury - Wolverhampton on Sundays? And probably a few early morning/late evening services - really not very many compared to how many they operate in Wales!

I quite like the name Arriva Trains Wales. It rolls off the tongue nicely and is the main train operating company in Wales. They also serve and operate every NR station in Wales I believe?

 

[Philip]

I can believe it - take it from someone who works on both fleets regularly, the 175s are much more reliable then 158s! 158s give a better passenger experience for now with the updated interiors and especially the power sockets - but from a traincrew point of view give me a 175 any day....

Quite a big change from their First NW days then and I'm guessing the early ATW years?

 

[northwichcat]

In the early ATW days the CIS seemed to permanently turned off.

 

[northwichcat]

RE: Many services totally in England

There aren’t that many surely? Chester to Crewe shuttles, Shrewsbury to Crewe shuttles and Shrewsbury - Wolverhampton on Sundays? And probably a few early morning/late evening services - really not very many compared to how many they operate in Wales!

I quite like the name Arriva Trains Wales. It rolls off the tongue nicely and is the main train operating company in Wales. They also serve and operate every NR station in Wales I believe?

More accurately a lot of mileage in England. Would it 'sound right' for Birmingham-Edinburgh/Glasgow via Preston services to be operated by Scotrail?

 

[Parallel]

More accurately a lot of mileage in England. Would it 'sound right' for Birmingham-Edinburgh/Glasgow via Preston services to be operated by Scotrail?

I don’t think that’s a great comparison, but for the record I don’t really see the problem. It’s just the TOC name and I doubt many people are that bothered.

 

[northwichcat]

I don’t think that’s a great comparison, but for the record I don’t really see the problem. It’s just the TOC name and I doubt many people are that bothered.

Why not? The Virgin Birmingham to Scotland services spend the majority of their time in England, as do the ATW services from Manchester to South Wales.

 

[craigybagel]

In all my time working for them based at one of their English depots I've never heard any passengers complain about the name, even whilst on services that are entirely within Wales. I guess passengers have more important things to worry about.

Quite a big change from their First NW days then and I'm guessing the early ATW years?

In the early ATW days the CIS seemed to permanently turned off.

From what I've heard, yes they caused all sorts of problems at the start it's true but it's a very different situation now. The PIS has been rerecorded since FNW days and works pretty well now - it's usually much more reliable then the newer system fitted to 158s.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

I never got to try the "entertainment system" in Coach B of 175s before it was turned off!
About as much use these days as a pay-phone was on a 158.

 

[craigybagel]

I never got to try the "entertainment system" in Coach B of 175s before it was turned off!
About as much use these days as a pay-phone was on a 158.

Supposedly the CD player for that is still in one of the cupboards in the vestibule - I keep meaning to have a look for it some day.....

 

[Crossover]

Why not? The Virgin Birmingham to Scotland services spend the majority of their time in England, as do the ATW services from Manchester to South Wales.

Off topic again, but TransPennine Express do significantly more than traversing the Pennines!

 

[PHILIPE]

The Crewe Chester Shuttle on Friday was being worked by Northern 150211 and yesterday was strengthened due to Races and formed 150211 and 150223 (also Northern) , the latter also did an extra from Chester to Wrexham and back. The pair today did round trip from Chester to Wolverhampton and back (Birmingham closed Engineering Work). ATW have a current shortage of units due, according to Journey Check, "more trains than usual requiring repairs" with 158s in particular getting a mention on Twitter. There have been instances of 175s having fires and tree collision damage. There have been instances of trains cancelled and announced overnight such as an early morning trip from Machynlleth to Barmouth and return on two occasions, some Holyhead to South Wales services truncated. Of course, the Blaenau Ffestiniog Branch was bustituted on Friday. 158s and 150s are supposed to be going for PRM Mods but don't know when the programme actually starts.

 

[Gareth Marston]

The Crewe Chester Shuttle on Friday was being worked by ATN 150211 and yesterday was strengthened due to Races and formed 150211 and 150223 (also ATN) , the latter also did an extra from Chester to Wrexham and back. The pair today did round trip from Chester to Wolverhampton and back (Birmingham closed Engineering Work). ATW have a current shortage of units due, according to Journey Check, "more trains than usual requiring repairs" with 158s in particular getting a mention on Twitter. There have been instances of 175s having fires and tree collision damage. There have been instances of trains cancelled and announced overnight such as an early morning trip from Machynlleth to Barmouth and return on two occasions, some Holyhead to South Wales services truncated. Of course, the Blaenau Ffestiniog Branch was bustituted on Friday. 158s and 150s are supposed to be going for PRM Mods but don't know when the programme actually starts.

A lot of short formed formations on Cambrian last week, 3 units on stop at Machynlleth on Friday.

 

[Starmill]

Where do people keep getting the abbreviation ATN from? Surely they don't mean Arriva Trains Northern which stopped running trains in 2004, and wouldn't have run trains anywhere near Chester even then.

 

[PHILIPE]

Where do people keep getting the abbreviation ATN from? Surely they don't mean Arriva Trains Northern which stopped running trains in 2004, and wouldn't have run trains anywhere near Chester even then.

Where do people keep getting the abbreviation ATN from? Surely they don't mean Arriva Trains Northern which stopped running trains in 2004, and wouldn't have run trains anywhere near Chester even then.

Edited. Happy now ?

 

[northwichcat]

Where do people keep getting the abbreviation ATN from? Surely they don't mean Arriva Trains Northern which stopped running trains in 2004, and wouldn't have run trains anywhere near Chester even then.

ATN did run trains to Warrington and Liverpool under their TPE brand, so Chester wasn't too far off the edge of their operational area. However, yes if I hear ATN and 150 in the same sentence I presume some is referring to one of the 10 x 150s that ATN had which passed on to Northern.