TfW Class 170's

[Icky Qualms]

Supposedly West Wales lines, Heart of Wales line (!) and Shrewsbury-Crewes.

Only 3 170s were out today - 170202 was back out and 170273 and 170208. They were working 4 routes from Cardiff Central though - Gloucester, Maesteg, Ebbw Vale Town and the Bridgend only. The external displays were either working intermittently or not all; I only saw them briefly display Ebbw Vale Town and Maesteg. The internal screens do seem to be working properly though - does anyone know if the automated announcements are working...? Also have they got the WiFi to work...?

Wi Fi must have been fitted in a short time as they didn't have such a luxury when they worked on GA.

 

[anamyd]

Wi Fi must have been fitted in a short time as they didn't have such a luxury when they worked on GA.

Ah, interesting. I swear TfW Rail claimed that they were fitted, but they seem to like to say "we have" to mean "we plan on having"...

 

[Jez]

On the subject of 158's (sorry to ask this in a topic about 170s) but how many 158s are now booked for South Wales? Used to be 3 but now pacers and 150s seem to be involved in some of those diagrams.

 

[Anonymous10]

On the subject of 158's (sorry to ask this in a topic about 170s) but how many 158s are now booked for South Wales? Used to be 3 but now pacers and 150s seem to be involved in some of those diagrams.

In West Wales they are rarely seen mostly 175s 150 and 153

 

[anamyd]

In West Wales they are rarely seen mostly 175s 150 and 153

I interpreted the question more as the daily TfW 158 allocation (which was 3 Cardiff Canton and 21 Machynlleth)

 

[Jez]

In West Wales they are rarely seen mostly 175s 150 and 153

Ive noticed they are rarely seen in West Wales now, which made me question if they are still booked for any service. Ive noticed that when a 175 isn't available for Manchester-West Wales a 150 covers the majority of the time, very rarely a 158.

 

[Jez]

I interpreted the question more as the daily TfW 158 allocation (which was 3 Cardiff Canton and 21 Machynlleth)

Yes that was my question!

 

[craigybagel]

On the subject of 158's (sorry to ask this in a topic about 170s) but how many 158s are now booked for South Wales? Used to be 3 but now pacers and 150s seem to be involved in some of those diagrams.

As far as I can tell (having checked today's diagrams) there are 2 158s diagrammed for Holyhead - Cardiff journeys during the day, and a third on Manchester - West Wales. Those are the only 158s booked to visit Cardiff. Others may appear covering for other units, but using today's diagrams at least those are the only ones currently booked for 158s, and one of those is only temporary as it's meant to be loco hauled instead.

 

[Jez]

As far as I can tell (having checked today's diagrams) there are 2 158s diagrammed for Holyhead - Cardiff journeys during the day, and a third on Manchester - West Wales. Those are the only 158s booked to visit Cardiff. Others may appear covering for other units, but using today's diagrams at least those are the only ones currently booked for 158s, and one of those is only temporary as it's meant to be loco hauled instead.

thank you for the info.

On the subject of 170s, hopefully going to travel on one this weekend, may tweet tfw to ask which Maestegs they are on, they are usually quite helpful in replying.

 

[PHILIPE]

thank you for the info.

On the subject of 170s, hopefully going to travel on one this weekend, may tweet tfw to ask which Maestegs they are on, they are usually quite helpful in replying.

Several Saturdays Maestegs run to and from Holyhead so you can rule those out

 

[anamyd]

Does anyone know where 170205 currently is...? It seems to have been at either Central Rivers or Tyseley for a really long time now.

Also, 170273 was apparently having engine and other problems yesterday, with one engine out, and on the delayed 1515 Maesteg-Cheltenham, it reached Lydney 69 minutes late (credit - Joe Greener, Facebook). Hopefully the problems with the 170/2s can be sorted out and all 12 delivered and running reliably by the May timetable change...

 

[Anonymous10]

Hi I was just wondering if I just saw a 170 in Pembroke Dock as was in a car

 

[Jez]

I managed to travel on a 2 car 170 today on 1338 Bridgend to Cardiff Central. I tweeted TFW and they said the 1315, 1517 and 1713 departures were expected to be 170s. The one I caught to Cardiff formed the next one back to Maesteg and would have then formed the 1517 also. The service to and from Holyhead I passed after leaving Bridgend was a 150.

 

[Anonymous10]

I managed to travel on a 2 car 170 today on 1338 Bridgend to Cardiff Central. I tweeted TFW and they said the 1315, 1517 and 1713 departures were expected to be 170s. The one I caught to Cardiff formed the next one back to Maesteg and would have then formed the 1517 also. The service to and from Holyhead I passed after leaving Bridgend was a 150.

So is it possible a 170 has found itself on the Pembroke Dock branch I doubt it and think it's likely a 175 but wondering

 

[Jez]

I don't think Carmarthen train crew have been trained on 170s so I doubt one has been on Pembroke Dock branch.

I wonder if any 170s will do Swanline when more are in service (the ones that don't interact with the marches or HOW line) as Cardiff train crew run these.

 

[Anonymous10]

I don't think Carmarthen train crew have been trained on 170s so I doubt one has been on Pembroke Dock branch.

I wonder if any 170s will do Swanline when more are in service (the ones that don't interact with the marches or HOW line) as Cardiff train crew run these.

Ok was wondering it will be a 175 then

They will be trained eventually as we r meant to have one 170 when new stock arrives idk what the other one we will get will be

 

[craigybagel]

So is it possible a 170 has found itself on the Pembroke Dock branch I doubt it and think it's likely a 175 but wondering

I don't think Carmarthen train crew have been trained on 170s so I doubt one has been on Pembroke Dock branch.

I wonder if any 170s will do Swanline when more are in service (the ones that don't interact with the marches or HOW line) as Cardiff train crew run these.

Ok was wondering it will be a 175 then

They will be trained eventually as we r meant to have one 170 when new stock arrives idk what the other one we will get will be

No 170s in Pembroke today. It was 2 150s and a 143 on the branch today, plus a 175 is down there right now on the 1331 Manchester - Pembroke Dock / 2109 Pembroke Dock - Carmarthen. AFAIK no Carmarthen crew have signed 170s yet, and as already hinted, they're the only ones who sign the branch.

170s were earmarked to go on Swanline at some point, and were even expected to with these services after they've been replaced on other South Wales services by the new Stadler DMUs. I'm not sure how practical that is at the moment given the interworking with other services, and I'm also not sure if Cardiff work these services exclusively (I was sure Carmarthen had at least some work on them). Carmarthen will indeed need to sign them eventually given the plan to use them on the West Wales branches and the HOWL, which with the exception of a small amount of Milford Haven services is exclusively Carmarthen work. The last I heard though there was still quite a few at Cardiff who need training and I would expect that to be the current priority, especially as all 3 routes currently worked by them are exclusive to Cardiff depot.

 

[Anonymous10]

No 170s in Pembroke today. It was 2 150s and a 143 on the branch today, plus a 175 is down there right now on the 1331 Manchester - Pembroke Dock / 2109 Pembroke Dock - Carmarthen. AFAIK no Carmarthen crew have signed 170s yet, and as already hinted, they're the only ones who sign the branch.

170s were earmarked to go on Swanline at some point, and were even expected to with these services after they've been replaced on other South Wales services by the new Stadler DMUs. I'm not sure how practical that is at the moment given the interworking with other services, and I'm also not sure if Cardiff work these services exclusively (I was sure Carmarthen had at least some work on them). Carmarthen will indeed need to sign them eventually given the plan to use them on the West Wales branches and the HOWL, which with the exception of a small amount of Milford Haven services is exclusively Carmarthen work. The last I heard though there was still quite a few at Cardiff who need training and I would expect that to be the current priority, especially as all 3 routes currently worked by them are exclusive to Cardiff depot.

I'm still new with being interested in the goings on any idea why it was a Manchester to Pembroke Dock usually it's Milford isn't it

 

[PHILIPE]

I'm still new with being interested in the goings on any idea why it was a Manchester to Pembroke Dock usually it's Milford isn't it

It is a booked Manchester to Pembroke Dock on a Saturday and Tenby (SX)

 

[Anonymous10]

It is a booked Manchester to Pembroke Dock on a Saturday and Tenby (SX)

Ah ok I never knew about there being a Manchester to Pembroke dock

 

[aleandrail]

Does anyone know where 170205 currently is...? It seems to have been at either Central Rivers or Tyseley for a really long time now.

Also, 170273 was apparently having engine and other problems yesterday, with one engine out, and on the delayed 1515 Maesteg-Cheltenham, it reached Lydney 69 minutes late (credit - Joe Greener, Facebook). Hopefully the problems with the 170/2s can be sorted out and all 12 delivered and running reliably by the May timetable change...

Its still at Central rivers, possible hvac issue but not 100% sure.

 

[iantherev]

So is it possible a 170 has found itself on the Pembroke Dock branch I doubt it and think it's likely a 175 but wondering

13:38 from Bridgend would have come from Maesteg.

 

[Jez]

Ah ok I never knew about there being a Manchester to Pembroke dock

There is also a daily Fishguard to Manchester in each direction - leaves Fishguard about 0750 for Manchester, Also Manchester to Fishguard at 1931. 1931 Monday to Friday only. Goes as far as Cardiff on Saturdays.

 

[Jez]

No 170s in Pembroke today. It was 2 150s and a 143 on the branch today, plus a 175 is down there right now on the 1331 Manchester - Pembroke Dock / 2109 Pembroke Dock - Carmarthen. AFAIK no Carmarthen crew have signed 170s yet, and as already hinted, they're the only ones who sign the branch.

170s were earmarked to go on Swanline at some point, and were even expected to with these services after they've been replaced on other South Wales services by the new Stadler DMUs. I'm not sure how practical that is at the moment given the interworking with other services, and I'm also not sure if Cardiff work these services exclusively (I was sure Carmarthen had at least some work on them). Carmarthen will indeed need to sign them eventually given the plan to use them on the West Wales branches and the HOWL, which with the exception of a small amount of Milford Haven services is exclusively Carmarthen work. The last I heard though there was still quite a few at Cardiff who need training and I would expect that to be the current priority, especially as all 3 routes currently worked by them are exclusive to Cardiff depot.

I thought that Swanline was worked by Cardiff train crew unless it was part of a Manchester-West Wales service and then could be Carmarthen depot. Or is it more complicated than that? Most Milford/Carmarthen to Manchester services seem to be worked by Carmarthen train crew West of Cardiff rather than Cardiff train crew?

 

[Anonymous10]

There is also a daily Fishguard to Manchester in each direction - leaves Fishguard about 0750 for Manchester, Also Manchester to Fishguard at 1931. 1931 Monday to Friday only. Goes as far as Cardiff on Saturdays.

So there's a daily Fishguard to Manchester and Milford to Manchester is multiple times a day and one weekly Manchester to Pembroke dock?

 

[Jez]

So there's a daily Fishguard to Manchester and Milford to Manchester is multiple times a day and one weekly Manchester to Pembroke dock?

1331 Manchester to Tenby on Monday to Friday and then to Pembroke Dock on Saturdays. On Monday to Friday the 175 turns back at Tenby and returns to Cardiff with a 150 or 153 providing a connection to Pembroke Dock. On Saturdays I assume the 175 stays overnight in Carmarthen.

Yes one Fishguard/Manchester in each direction on Monday to Friday. Saturday the 1931 Manchester terminates at Cardiff.

 

[PHILIPE]

There is also a daily Fishguard to Manchester in each direction - leaves Fishguard about 0750 for Manchester, Also Manchester to Fishguard at 1931. 1931 Monday to Friday only. Goes as far as Cardiff on Saturdays.

Keep up. 1931 ex Manchester now changes at Cardiff Monday to Friday

 

[Anonymous10]

1331 Manchester to Tenby on Monday to Friday and then to Pembroke Dock on Saturdays. On Monday to Friday the 175 turns back at Tenby and returns to Cardiff with a 150 or 153 providing a connection to Pembroke Dock. On Saturdays I assume the 175 stays overnight in Carmarthen.

Yes one Fishguard/Manchester in each direction on Monday to Friday. Saturday the 1931 Manchester terminates at Cardiff.

Seems odd why you wouldn't just take the 175 to Pembroke dock or to pull the 153 up on the 175 but there we go

 

[craigybagel]

I thought that Swanline was worked by Cardiff train crew unless it was part of a Manchester-West Wales service and then could be Carmarthen depot. Or is it more complicated than that? Most Milford/Carmarthen to Manchester services seem to be worked by Carmarthen train crew West of Cardiff rather than Cardiff train crew?

I think it's more complicated then that but I'll need to wait till Monday to have a proper look at the jobs. I know they aren't all worked as simple Cardiff - Swansea - Cardiff trips though.

Seems odd why you wouldn't just take the 175 to Pembroke dock or to pull the 153 up on the 175 but there we go

You can't couple a 175 to a 153, or indeed anything other then another 175. On a weekday the 175 hasn't got time to complete a full trip down the length of the branch before it's needed elsewhere.

 

[Jez]

1931 ex Manchester now changes at Cardiff Monday to Friday

So it is. Id obviously missed that when reviewing the timetable changes.


I did like my journey on the 170, very nice trains. I always liked them when travelling with Crosscountry and many years ago now, Central Trains. Its a shame it isn't possible for them to cover on South Wales to Manchester/Holyhead as im sure many would agree they would provide a much better deputy for the 175s than the 150s do.