That's what I suspected too. None seem to be operating today but if I notice another one I'll post the service here
Yes; there was a diagrammed move early in the morning (can't recall the exact time/headcode) until fairly recently.
According to Genius 1I26 is actually booked for a 175. Not sure about 1I24 - it was started at Shrewsbury vice Chester owing to lack of traincrew and it doesn't show the allocation.
It was the first Shrewsbury to Birmingham International in the morning, about 0520 IIRC. It's return trip was through to Llandudno. That service is booked for 2 158s now as it splits at New Street and forms two separate services back towards Shrewsbury.
The Sunday service was booked for a 175. On weekdays it had to be a 158 as the diagram involved the Cambrian.
I recall an early one from Birmingham (7am ish) always being a 175 a few years ago, I think it went all the way through to Holyhead back then.
That was the service I was referring to. The 175 stabled overnight in Shrewsbury, formed the first International service of the day and then went back through Birmingham to Llandudno.
A role formerly filled by 150s - until the demise of the Pacers meant that most of those units up on the Valleys, since no other units in the fleet are permitted to run North of Radyr.
The 153s do bring an advantage over the 150s in that they have longer carriages with doors at each end. I find they have more of a long distance feel.
The legroom, especially at tables, is absolutely abymsal though. Given that the 153s currently have no planned replacement on the HoWL, they really should redo the layout with one or two fewer rows, to give adequate legroom.
The PRM toilet already takes up an enormous amount of space.
Yes I definitely remember pre-pandemic 150s making into New Street, and I think there might have even been a Sunday service where they were diagrammed, but I'm less sure about that.
Was it pre Pandemic that they only ran in as far as Wolverhampton on a Sunday? Seem to recall some 150+153 combinations diagrammed there.
It can be a hindrance as well though. With the reduced top speed Sprinters already struggle to match 175 timings. 150s usually fare better than 153s however as the dwell times are a lot shorter - which is another reason why the 197s should be a big game changer when they arrive.
There was a 2 hourly all stops Wolverhampton - Shrewsbury service on a Sunday, booked for a TfW 153. This ended when WMR introduced a Sunday service on the route.
I agree, The 153s do have a more long distance feel and I prefer them over a 150 when travelling long distance.
Not all that likely to be honest - it depends on how far outside the HOWL depots (Drivers from Carmarthen and Shrewsbury, guards from those two depots plus Crewe) traction knowledge for 153s will be retained. Crewe drivers may well keep them on their cards for the Crewe - Shrewsbury local services and potentially to get them on and off Arriva Train Care for servicing, but the likelihood of a Cardiff retaining competency is slim, and even more so for Chester.
Nope 175 have different couplers. 150/153/158 can couple.
Makes you wonder why they bother to tell people to travel in a portion of the train knowing the 150s are unsuitable beyond Shrewsbury and everyone will have to get off anyway! It just confuses passengers even more.
