Loading procedure on ATW loco-hauled services?

[Lou92]

This summer I am planning a return to Ireland, and during my trip planning I noticed that ATW have LHCS services from Manchester to Holyhead. A little more research revealed it to be 4 x Mark 3 coaches hauled by a '67 with a DVT. Is that correct? I note that 1D34 arrives ECS at 09:48 and departs at 09:50(!) - will they really be able to rock 'n roll so quickly after arriving ECS? That super-quick turnaround worries me greatly, as I have never loaded a bicycle in a DVT. What is the procedure for doing so? Presumably the guard will open the DVT door, but what happens next? Does he/she take my bicycle and place it in the DVT, or am I expected to place it into the DVT? If the latter, do I walk through the gangway to the coaches, or do I step out of the DVT and re-board via the nearest slam door? As I'm not a fan of the Manchester central stations, I'm thinking of bailing out at Wigan and cycling down to Newton-le-Willows. Will that make it easier or harder to load compared with Piccadilly? Although I've been on many LHCS railtours in my time, I've never needed to use a DVT (if the rake had one), hence my noobness. Can you tell that I live on the west coast?


P.S. Are there any bars on the dropdown windows? Thanks!

 

[30907]

The ECS comes from the Mayfield loop just south of the station.

2 minutes seems long enough to load a bike to me. I presume Newton is only 1 minute?

No window bars.

 

[PHILIPE]

Due to the intense service through the through platforms at Manchester Piccadilly, a dwell time of more than 2 minutes would hardly be practicable.

 

[Bevan Price]

Departing from Manchester, the loco is normally at the front, and the DVT at the rear.

Note that, if there are problems with the loco. or stock, the train can sometimes be a dmu - a Class 175 if you are lucky, but sometimes a 158 or even a 150.

 

[krus_aragon]

As I recall from when I last loaded a bike on an ATW DVT, the guard opened the door, invited me to bring the bike in, and helped me secure it. I had to disembark and walk round to the passenger carriage doors. (This was on the Gerallt Gymro, rather than the Irish Mancunian set.)

 

[1D53]

Two minutes will be sufficient. The platform staff and trains crew have things down to well oiled machine. DVT is usually at the rear.

 

[Lou92]

30907: No bars is awesome, thank you!

PHILIPE: Indeed!

Bevan Price: Thanks for the formation info and good point about reliability!

krus_aragon: Many thanks for sharing your experience!

1D53: Good to know, cheers!

 

[sw1ller]

I'm not sure if this makes any difference at all but I'm sure it's just 3 mark 3 coaches on the Manchester run.

4 x mk3 coaches is normally the Cardiff run is it not?

Just an observation.


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[LNW-GW Joint]

I'm not sure if this makes any difference at all but I'm sure it's just 3 mark 3 coaches on the Manchester run.
4 x mk3 coaches is normally the Cardiff run is it not?

Yes, that's right. It's a smaller train than it appears, minus loco and DVT.
The 4th coach on the Cardiff run is the 1st/buffet car.