PHILIPE
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On the All-Wales Express
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Appologies, must have missed that (but it would have been before I saw a photo of a 158 at FGW on the openning day (and it wasn't the day boat train, the 08:04 or the 09:56 as I saw all of those personally) and before I saw open train times saying it is timed for class 14x). Thanks for clarifying.
PHILIPE
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Apology accepted
jones_bangor
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Finally got to ride in one of the refurbished 158s on the 07:06 from Bangor to Cardiff. Much better, and the laptop loved the power plug. A few engine troubles though, was 30 minutes late in at Cardiff.
On the usage of LHCS set, one thing the southbound train could do on arrival in Cardiff at around 09:58 is form the 10:05 out to Manchester. It looks like it would then be back in Cardiff at 16:55 to work the 18:18 back north. ATW will probablly just leave the set sat in Canton all day though:-x I suppose they might be planning to use it to try and make Cardiff - Cheltenham hourly in it's downtime (that's where they're doing driver training runs, but there's probably a more sensible explanation for that).
Indeed we did. Glad you enjoyed your trip with us though. Did you have anything from the trolley?
PHILIPE
Veteran Member
I think they would probably require the Loco coaches to be at Canton to do carry out any Maitenance swapping.
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iI notice the 17 10 Swansea is going through to Holyhead again this week. This suggests that it could be a "permanent"a arrangement until September. It can at this late stage only dealt with as a STP alteration as time limit restrictions prevent it from becoming a proper timetable arrangement.
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merlodlliw
Established Member
It should have been a 175 3 car , but a 158 is better then a sprinter. Was the 158 four or two car
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Thats interesting, a better use of stock instead of lying idle at Canton,
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anthony263
Established Member
Again I would like to see it become a permanent arrangement however the loco hauled rake would never keep to time unless mk3's fitted with powered door's were used.
I think it would be nice to get Swansea served by a regular loco hauled service agains (By the way when did Swansea loose its last regular loco hauled service?, I am sure there used to be a 07:45 Swansea - York crosscountry service which was worked by a class 47 in fact I am sure theres a pic somewhere of it.)
Of course it seems unlikely ATW's mk3's would get the same treatement as Chilterns but I would like to hope so seing as you could have a common pool of mk3's carriages for both operators
I think it would be nice to get Swansea served by a regular loco hauled service agains (By the way when did Swansea loose its last regular loco hauled service?, I am sure there used to be a 07:45 Swansea - York crosscountry service which was worked by a class 47 in fact I am sure theres a pic somewhere of it.)
Of course it seems unlikely ATW's mk3's would get the same treatement as Chilterns but I would like to hope so seing as you could have a common pool of mk3's carriages for both operators
But being based at opposite ends of the country makes it fairly moot, short of cumbersome overnight stock movements.
A 158 is an express sprinter. Very, very much better (for regional express services) than a plain old 'Sprinter' (class 150), or even a Turbostar, though.
I'd hope (given the very long delay introducing mark3s and DVTs at ATW) for power door mark3s too, but because it gives us stock that can be used beyond 2020 not for having a common pool with Chiltern (their refurbishment spec is probably not right for Wales' needs). Sadly, if the ATW mark3s were going to have power doors we would probably have heard about it. In fact, the lack of news regarding mark3s for ATW means I wouldn't be all that supprised if, come September, they just sling another multiple working cable underneath the current mark2 rakes overnight and use them until December.
As for loco-hauled services to/from Swansea, Intercity 125s may have two powered vehicles rather than one, but those powered vehicles do not carry passengers and are essentially locos (though because, unlike the class 91 (very sensible design if you ask me, why do class 90s have two pointy ends?), the class 43s only have a cab at one end I can see why some wouldn't see IC125s in quite the same light as other LHCS).
merlodlliw
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jones_bangor
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There is confirmation in the media that Gerald's return service is being moved to 18:18 from Cardiff, with promises of extra services to fill the gaps, which is presumably the 16:15 service.
LNW-GW Joint
Veteran Member
Why are Plaid calling it a downgrade to services, esspecially for north Wales? The only loss up north is the current northbound timings for Gerald from Crewe to Holyhead, the other services are covered by Holyhead - Birminghams except south of Shrewsbury.
As for ATW putting on extra services to fill the gaps, does this mean the 16:15 will still go to Holyhead via Crewe (but with a 175 or 158) at ATW's own expense? Does it mean a connection from Shrewsbury to Cardiff (linking with the Holyhead - Birmingham service WAG2 is replacing at the moment), will be provided, also at ATW's own expense?
asylumxl
Established Member
If you tell members of the WAG that power doors would make their journeys more pleasant while also allowing less time for the common riff-raff to board, they may be more inclined to have them installed...
merlodlliw
Established Member
Rhodri Glyn Thomas, lives in another world to most of us, how on earth is this a downgrade for North Wales,is it because the service will serve Wrexham, instead of Crewe, another knock at Wrexham by South West Wales A.M Rhodri Glyn Thomas Plaid spokesman ,who forgets he was born in Wrexham.
The saving of £500K is the cost of hiring in the 175 for Open Access ,presumably Sept to December, and the 1615 ex Cardiff was a local service to Abergavenny until Gerald took the path of this franchised service, so it will be reinstated in my opinion
Interesting comment "The government said the new service will retain the Gerallt Gymro's business class and buffet carriage." so first class & a buffet in the style of W/S seems likly ,so premier is dropped to enhanced.
Bob
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LNW-GW Joint
Veteran Member
Some more details in here: http://new.wales.gov.uk/newsroom/tr...HLJ1ch3S2F7H6yZR97tQvwqpz!-1822353977?lang=en
1615 becomes Cardiff-Crewe-Chester.
1615 becomes Cardiff-Crewe-Chester.
SprinterMan
Established Member
That does sound like it will not be calling at Colwyn Bay, Gobowen, Chirk or Ruabon.
Cardiff Central - Newport - Shrewsbury - Wrexham General - Chester - Flint - Rhyl - Llandudno Junction - Bangor - Holyhead
Is what I would guess.
Adam
jones_bangor
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That does sound like it will not be calling at Colwyn Bay, Gobowen, Chirk or Ruabon.
Cardiff Central - Newport - Shrewsbury - Wrexham General - Chester - Flint - Rhyl - Llandudno Junction - Bangor - Holyhead
Is what I would guess.
Adam
It would hardly of qualified as an express id it called at Gobowen, Chirk and Ruabon - but maybe it should at Gobowen?? I always find it odd it doesn't call at Colwyn Bay, given the size of the place.
SprinterMan
Established Member
WAG2 currently does Gobowen, Chirk (in one direction), Ruabon and Colwyn Bay.
I think WAG1 doesn't stop at Colwyn Bay becuase of it's proximity to Llandudno Junction and loco-hauled stock is very slow to accelerate so it wouldn't be worth the stop there.
Adam
Gareth Marston
Established Member
Neither the new 1615 Cardiff- Chester via Crewe or the 1815 express to Holyhead will of course connect to the Cambrian!
PHILIPE
Veteran Member
There is a Thread on the Discussion Board re Parliamentary trains. These trains are Political trains. Plaid Cymru, of course, are whinging.
jones_bangor
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I suspect the whinging will lead to a compromise, which is rather obvious, and will result in little net change.
merlodlliw
Established Member
That does sound like it will not be calling at Colwyn Bay, Gobowen, Chirk or Ruabon.
Cardiff Central - Newport - Shrewsbury - Wrexham General - Chester - Flint - Rhyl - Llandudno Junction - Bangor - Holyhead
Is what I would guess.
Adam
I am told to make up time at Shrewsbury,Ruabon/Chirk/Gobowen are dropped on the up,seems the down will still call at Gobowen & Chirk.
The comment ""In addition ATW will operate a service between Wrexham and Shrewsbury to maintain hourly services at Gobowen, Ruabon and Chirk."
is rich seeing that on bank holidays all four stations will have a two hour gap Up & Down with two services withdrawn.
Colwyn Bay was eliminated from Gerald due to it being in the same County as Junction(both Conwy) & Hereford it seems may lose its stop on the WAG down
Bob
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PHILIPE
Veteran Member
The Cambrian is only every 2 hours and there are connections from the South to all these so no problem.
merlodlliw
Established Member
Ieuan Wyn Jones whingeing?
Surely not!
No the Plaid spokesperson of Cardiff bar fame,who will never use the service has he is based in West Wales, IWJ is just an AM now
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really,what about the North connections
Bob
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This train seems to be a drain on the assets of Wales,if polaticans want a better service perhaps the money could go towards electrifying the Welsh network and benifiting all the ordinary people.Dont the assembly fund the air service as well ,overall this a waste of public money and should be stopped.
merlodlliw
Established Member
It wont be stopped, its now down to one service each way from Sept & its status is now dropped from Premier to enhanced.(1st class & buffet)
As for costings WG have paid ATW £3.5millions to access stock for the train and WG have also announced £1.9millions a year to subsidise running the open access service.
Has for Wagair, the Minister gave out a four year contract, so they are tied into it.
The biggest down side is the Enhanced service will lie idle in Cardiff for eight hours ( 1000 to 1800 that in my opinion is a waste of resources)
Bob
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