GWR shortform despite known event (30/10)

[Larkhall]

Yesterday, in what was widely trailed in media as the biggest event in Wales since pre-pandemic, there was an international test match in Cardiff between Wales & NZ. We made our way out there on the 12:48 Paddington-Cardiff and, with a reasonable expectation that the train would be full, had made seat reservations in advance.

What we found on boarding was that full did not begin to cover it. GWR provided a 5 car IET rather than the planned 9 car, so the reservations had been cancelled and 9+ cars worth of pax had to cram into all available space. Those unlucky enough to remain standing by and large did so all the way to Cardiff, myself included. I haven't seen crowding like it on an Intercity train since Virgin West Coast on a Bank Holiday Friday eve in the before times.

How does this self-inflicted issue happen? It can't exactly be a surprise to GWR that thousands wish to travel from London as the ticket sales for the 30th in the weeks prior must have been significant. The emails from the event organisers even mentioned that they were in contact with GWR. While the rest of the day was fantastic (as a NZ supporter!) and it was great to see Cardiff buzzing with energy, the journey was really not a good advertisement for the railway. The non-rugby passengers were especially irate.

 

[NSEFAN]

IEP availability is better than it was but is still not great. I did spot a 5 car 1Zxx from Cardiff at Reading yesterday evening, although luckily mine was load 10 from London.

Either way I agree it's not a good look. It will be good when 387s can run all the way to Cardiff as relief trains for these events.

 

[yorksrob]

I thought they'd already tested the 387's to Cardiff ?

 

[Horizon22]

I thought they'd already tested the 387's to Cardiff ?

They have & a diagram is booked to start running from December. Only a small numbers of drivers are trained but is getting better.

As for the wider situation, it seems the crew position is getting worse, not better. GWR were well aware of the event (everything meant to be a 9 or 10 car), but had both a very poor fleet position on Saturday (one of the worst days of the week) and a lack of crew. I can only imagine also there was a prior cancellation so Reading and/or Swindon passengers were also crammed on.

 

[Dr Hoo]

Yesterday, in what was widely trailed in media as the biggest event in Wales since pre-pandemic, there was an international test match in Cardiff between Wales & NZ. We made our way out there on the 12:48 Paddington-Cardiff and, with a reasonable expectation that the train would be full, had made seat reservations in advance.

What we found on boarding was that full did not begin to cover it. GWR provided a 5 car IET rather than the planned 9 car, so the reservations had been cancelled and 9+ cars worth of pax had to cram into all available space. Those unlucky enough to remain standing by and large did so all the way to Cardiff, myself included. I haven't seen crowding like it on an Intercity train since Virgin West Coast on a Bank Holiday Friday eve in the before times.

How does this self-inflicted issue happen? It can't exactly be a surprise to GWR that thousands wish to travel from London as the ticket sales for the 30th in the weeks prior must have been significant. The emails from the event organisers even mentioned that they were in contact with GWR. While the rest of the day was fantastic (as a NZ supporter!) and it was great to see Cardiff buzzing with energy, the journey was really not a good advertisement for the railway. The non-rugby passengers were especially irate.

Is it 'self inflicted'? I thought that there was still a shortfall in Class 80x availability because of the cracking issues and other problems.

Crewing issues may be having an impact on the ability to run relief trains but I can hardly believe that Hitachi offered a 9-car (or 2 x 5-car) and GWR took a conscious decision to only run a 5-car on your service.

 

[yorksrob]

They have & a diagram is booked to start running from December. Only a small numbers of drivers are trained but is getting better.

As for the wider situation, it seems the crew position is getting worse, not better. GWR were well aware of the event (everything meant to be a 9 or 10 car), but had both a very poor fleet position on Saturday (one of the worst days of the week) and a lack of crew. I can only imagine also there was a prior cancellation so Reading and/or Swindon passengers were also crammed on.

It sounds as though they'll be a handy crowd buster when everyone's trained.

 

[Horizon22]

It sounds as though they'll be a handy crowd buster when everyone's trained.

Definitely. Last few weekends there have also been crowd buster 387s from Pad-Swindon (crew dependent). Don’t seem to be running this weekend though - propbably due to the crew shortages affecting both local & high-speed depots at the moment. Not sure why it’s so bad.

 

[Parallel]

GWR did provide a few additional 10 car services between Port Talbot Parkway and Swindon yesterday but these were reported as very lightly loaded. I used one and had a carriage to myself! Strange as they were being advertised at the station on the dot matrix boards.

 

[Larkhall]

Is it 'self inflicted'? I thought that there was still a shortfall in Class 80x availability because of the cracking issues and other problems.

Crewing issues may be having an impact on the ability to run relief trains but I can hardly believe that Hitachi offered a 9-car (or 2 x 5-car) and GWR took a conscious decision to only run a 5-car on your service.

That could certainly explain it. I naively assumed that the class 80x issues were largely sorted (operationally wise at least) with regular monitoring allowing unrepaired trains to still run.

Agree with above posters that class 387 crowdbusters would have been perfect. Especially post-match where, while the trains were full length, they could have definitely done with more capacity to Swindon. Shame they won't be ready until Dec, after the 4 international matches.

 

[Horizon22]

The 80x issue is…variable. There are short-term welding fixes which means trains go back in service with a very strict monitoring programme but this also means they can fail the test at the beginning of the day with short notice. Generally things are just about OK, but when this happens it does cause short-formations and juggling trains around depots. This is married with Hitachi’s quite stringent and some way say inflexible requirements.

 

[stevetay3]

GWR did provide a few additional 10 car services between Port Talbot Parkway and Swindon yesterday but these were reported as very lightly loaded. I used one and had a carriage to myself! Strange as they were being advertised at the station on the dot matrix boards.

So why on Earth were the 10 car sets not put on The Pads

 

[WelshBluebird]

Mentioned this elsewhere but it looks like there's a couple of 387s parked up at Newport at the moment. Can only think they plan to use them as queue busters after the rugby this evening.

 

[tiptoptaff]

Mentioned this elsewhere but it looks like there's a couple of 387s parked up at Newport at the moment. Can only think they plan to use them as queue busters after the rugby this evening.

They're on training runs.

There's been a failed train in the tunnel for a few hours so held them up no doubt

 

[alistairlees]

The rail industry can no longer afford to fail to deliver for these sorts of events. They attract infrequent travellers who will be discouraged from travelling by train again and who will also share their poor experiences with others, exacerbating the problem. At a time of an enormous revenue shortfall this is hugely damaging.

 

[WelshBluebird]

Somewhat disappointing if the units are in the area but won't be used. When will they start to be used if not now when they are desperately needed?

 

[Wolfie]

Somewhat disappointing if the units are in the area but won't be used. When will they start to be used if not now when they are desperately needed?

Both units and trained crews are required. The former without the latter are pointless. I agree that presentationally it looks awful though.

 

[Parallel]

So why on Earth were the 10 car sets not put on The Pads

Can’t say for sure but something like a last minute unit failure with no available replacement stock in the right place, or a shortage of staff are probable reasons.

 

[Pete_uk]

I have to wonder if Hitachi are regretting getting involved in the IET project with all the money they are loosing

 

[Clarence Yard]

Who says they are losing any money?

 

[800001]

I have to wonder if Hitachi are regretting getting involved in the IET project with all the money they are loosing

Who says they are losing? The way they contracts are wrote, trust me they are making money still.

In the way the trains were withdrawn from service due to cracks, Hitachi, in the UK still made many millions.

 

[Starmill]

GWR did provide a few additional 10 car services between Port Talbot Parkway and Swindon yesterday but these were reported as very lightly loaded. I used one and had a carriage to myself! Strange as they were being advertised at the station on the dot matrix boards.

Is it a real surprise that a ten car train which could be boarded only at Port Talbot Parkway and Bridgend was not full?

It may of course have been better loaded on its inward working.

 

[nmsq]

Both units and trained crews are required. The former without the latter are pointless. I agree that presentationally it looks awful though.

Introduction of 387s very likely after timetable update in December.

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

I have to wonder if Hitachi are regretting getting involved in the IET project with all the money they are loosing

The extremely high cost of the Hitachi fleet (some would say extremely poor value for money) was clearly designed to price such risks in. GWR/DfT are in effect paying Hitachi’s liability for a broken fleet in leasing fees over the lifetime of the contract.

 

[Horizon22]

This weekend there are a few 1Zxx services running from Paddington (some Swindon) - Port Talbot and a few other isolated services (Cardiff - Bristol, Cardiff - Swansea). However the Hitachi fleet position means some Bristol - Pad trains are cancelled as a result. This is due to the Wales v Australia rugby (kicks off at 1730)

This is the first departure from Paddington, 1Z30 - https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V40453/2021-11-20/detailed