That's probably another good reason for using a 3car rather than a 2 car set then. Surely 2 cars isn't enough to service the entire length of the North to South Wales route?
Two car trains are far from ideal on any diagram as the popularity of rail travel is far greater than was expected when the trains were built only around 15 years ago.
Having said that, for much of the year, the diagram for the trains you mention cannot justify a three car. The service is busy from the North Wales Coast and from Frodsham most seats are taken. Some passengers have to stand for the short journey from Runcorn East to Warrington. Passengers joining at Earlestown and Newton Le Willows for Manchester will find the journey uncomfortable - but this is probably the case for most journeys of half an hour in to a major city in the morning.
The return journey is busy but not full and standing into Chester. From there it empties for the journey to Holyhead. Down to Llanelli it's a similar story - busy but with some seats available other than for short runs such as chester-wrexham at 1219.
The return to Chester conveniently misses the Cardiff evening peak.
On a semi related note, the 0712 Manchester had at least 15 empty seats in the front coach on Wednesday with nobody standing in the second. The rear two were both full with passengers standing in the aisles.
The reason. The stairs at Picc are at the rear of the train and they didn't want to have to walk or be behind everybody else.
