-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
TfW Class 67+Mk4 sets: trip planning/experiences, diagram updates etc
- Thread starter D6130
- Start date
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
No, 5 sets are planned out Tuesday and Friday as it stands, just that 1 diagram on Wednesday and Thursday.
Usual disclaimers apply!!
Last edited:
Many thanks
BillStampy
Established Member
Hoping that continues into Saturday, surprised HD02 is still going quite strongly!
HD02 has been surprisingly trouble free recently (hopefully not just jinxed it)! HD02 will be out of service on Wednesday and Thursday but should be back Friday. Saturday as things stand should have 6 sets available with a spare at Crewe, 4 normal diagrams plus the rugby special.
BillStampy
Established Member
Oh brilliant, hoping for a comfy ride return to Cardiff aboard 1V46 then... unfortunately a 197 up to Crewe but I'll endure I'm sure...
On Wed is it definitely the diagram which involves the 0853 CDF-MAN that will be subbed or is just one of possible two diagrams that could be subbed?
The main reason for me wanting to upgrade was to experience the cooked breakfast. So it will just have to wait for another time if thats the case. At least if i know for sure I can take a sandwich with me as all the trolley will have is crisps and snacks if indeed there is a trolley!
Looks like it's there until Wednesday now when it will head down to the ETD for its appointment at the lathe.
Once HD01 is done, HD05 will follow for its slot over the weekend.
Ah okay. Id rather know in advance as at least it wont be so disappointing on the day. And looking on the bright side ive saved the costs (although will do it at some point no doubt!) as would likely only buy a coffee and a snack off the trolley.
Jacob Porrett
Established Member
The other rake on depot at Crewe today is 67015 connected to HD05.
Jacob Porrett
Established Member
HD02 coming to Crewe depot for it's A exam.
Yes, it's stopped Wednesday and Thursday for that.
Jacob Porrett
Established Member
67025 ligh engine at Crewe depot also today.
Topological
Established Member
The rare situation where the 1st class advance was cheaper than the standard today between Port Talbot and Cardiff on 1W13. Back to standard the rest of the way north though. Sadly the catering doesn't start that early, but it is a nice seat.
Always good to have a Mk4, but the 197s are perfectly good as long as they have more than 2 carriages.
Always good to have a Mk4, but the 197s are perfectly good as long as they have more than 2 carriages.
No catering as in no free tea or coffee? I can understand them not having the full restaurant service at that time in the morning but when selling first class tickets they really should provide the basics, hot drinks and snacks. No wonder the ticket was cheap if all you are getting is a nicer seat!
I have a horrible feeling im going to be crammed into a 2 car 197 on my trip tomorrow. I dont mind that its a 197 just dont want it to be a 2 car which as you say is simply not enough carriages. I suppose at least it starts in Cardiff and I have around a 15 minute connection time off the Swanline service, so should be able to be on the platform before it arrives and therefore get a seat. Im hoping its a 3 car (or longer) with SP as id try and get a seat there if I can. But looking at RTT it seems the MK4 substitutions are very often 2 cars.
MP393
Member
The Mk4 catering staff are based at Newport (and Manchester, but Newport for 1W13) and have no way of getting to Swansea for that run. It is a shame there is some gaps in catering for certain runs, 1V31 is the same from Crewe of a morning, but without extra outstations of catering crews it’s as good as possible at the moment.
I understand its difficult but from a customers point of view it just seems poor and doesnt really encourage people to upgrade to First class on certain journeys unless the advance ticket is the same or cheaper than standard.
I remember when i had my first try of first class with TFW i booked an advance first from Abergavenny to Cardiff and had my free coffee in a paper cup (which was fine) as the crew were getting off in Newport. Luckily i had a good trip about a year ago from Manchester to Port Talbot in First Class with the full catering and refreshments provided.
Topological
Established Member
IF someone is determined to get a first-class experience then the GWR will have catering and a connection can be made at Cardiff/Newport with few problems.
It is still the case that most operators of the full-service first class would have catering depots at all ends of their routes. In GWR case that would probably mean Swansea rather than Carmarthen though.
There is probably a note in the timetable about 1W13, but it wasn't something I would have checked as I was just getting whatever was the cheapest ticket. Interestingly Stockport to Manchester Piccadilly was also cheaper than a single and the splitting tickets told me to buy that. However, I now realise that TfW limits to 4 tickets per transaction and it hadn't completed. So no upgrading for the final 10 minutes today.
My last attempt at first-class north of Newport ended with cancellations and having to go via Birmingham. Got a big refund for that one.
It is still the case that most operators of the full-service first class would have catering depots at all ends of their routes. In GWR case that would probably mean Swansea rather than Carmarthen though.
There is probably a note in the timetable about 1W13, but it wasn't something I would have checked as I was just getting whatever was the cheapest ticket. Interestingly Stockport to Manchester Piccadilly was also cheaper than a single and the splitting tickets told me to buy that. However, I now realise that TfW limits to 4 tickets per transaction and it hadn't completed. So no upgrading for the final 10 minutes today.
My last attempt at first-class north of Newport ended with cancellations and having to go via Birmingham. Got a big refund for that one.
It makes me wonder if the Swansea service is really worth the effort given the issues with the catering, overnight engineering works sometimes meaning its replaced by a unit as the ECS goes via the VOG and the issue with Canton not being able to take the evening Swansea ECS at the same time as the 1830 arrival from Manchester. The 05xx is also a bit early for most people unless its a day trip and even then its a bit too early for most people. The Sunday timetable is better as it offers 2 trains in each direction but I know this is only possible as there are far fewer diagrams on a Sunday and therefore not the 2 hourly pattern between Cardiff and Manchester.
Yes if someone really wanted first class throughout and was prepared to pay for a non advance ticket they could use GWR/Crosscounty via Birmingham or GWR and then TFW from Newport.
Im really hoping my journey tomorrow isnt overcrowded, I remember when it used to run from Milford Haven and arrive in Neath around 8am to go to Manchester it was the Neath-Cardiff part that was busy and overcrowded especially as it called at the likes of Pyle and Llanharan and people we having a 9am start in Cardiff. It used to ease off after Cardiff and only really get busy again after Shrewsbury. It was usually a 3 car however.
Planned back to TfW tomorrow along with 67022. 014 should replace 67017 on HD01 tomorrow night, re-entering service on Thursday while 022 should replace 015 on HD05.
015 and 017 will then head back to Crewe ETD for maintenance.
Last edited:
Excellent.news, thanks very much for letting me know! Keeping my fingers crossed no last minute failures tomorrow morning!
Thank you!
37052 xb mr
Established Member
Cheers
Topological
Established Member
Yes. They could just move the train a bit earlier and run it as a 197. As long as the connection at Cardiff works. When I did it last week it was tight because the 197 was running in the current path, but presumably it could go back to being 05:36 from Cardiff (or even 05:32 as it was for a while).
I used that 07:38* from Swansea sometimes but it got too busy so I switched to the one an hour earlier. Eventually, I went for 1W13 as it was quieter. Then the 150s became commonplace... Even 1W13 seems to have a lot of passengers going to Cardiff.
Jacob Porrett
Established Member
Today at Crewe depot (18/2/25):
67015 connected to HD05
67017 connected to HD01
67025 light engine.
67015 connected to HD05
67017 connected to HD01
67025 light engine.
BillStampy
Established Member
I know it's very wishful thinking but a 5 coach MK4 set would be great for me at Llanharan, even though I'm well aware that isn't possible, one can dream...
It is regularly 2 - 3 coaches on all services out of Llanharan and most days it's heavily busy. Especially when it is carrying the load from all the Swanline stops before it!
The sets are used correctly though, I cannot go after anyone for that, Cardiff to Manchester and vice versa desperately needs it. It looks today that almost every arrival into Manchester from Crewe with TfW was 5 coaches, with the one off 2 coach 197. If they work correctly, they're brilliant.
37052 xb mr
Established Member
Obstruction Craven Arms - Ludlow
Van on track
1W96 & 1V62 both terminating at Shrewsbury.
V62 set forming 1Z96 to Holyhead
Van on track
1W96 & 1V62 both terminating at Shrewsbury.
V62 set forming 1Z96 to Holyhead
Last edited: