TfW Class 67+Mk4 sets: trip planning/experiences, diagram updates etc

[D6130]

Sorry wasnt the clearest post looking back! 1W96 will still run but will be a unit tomorrow night.

Ah, OK. Thanks for the clarification!

 

[Welshguy1048]

No 1W96 tomorrow night, V91 isnt running so the set will stay in Holyhead ready for Friday morning.

Sorry wasnt the clearest post looking back! 1W96 will still run but will be a unit tomorrow night.

Unusually for now there will be a few unit vice Mk4s tomorrow, partly due to a set being stuck in Holyhead but also due to only 1 set in Cardiff tonight.

05:27 Holyhead to Cardiff
05:43 Swansea to Manchester
10:30 Manchester to Cardiff
10:53 Cardiff to Manchester
14:30 Manchester to Cardiff
17:14 Cardiff to Holyhead
18:55 Cardiff to Manchester will be units tomorrow.

@sd0733

Thanks for the information.

Dave

 

[Topological]

I noted a few bits missing today, the 10:53 from Cardiff was a 197 to Crewe.

However, the 16:30 is confirmed to be one of the tired VTEC ones (HD02).

Unrelated, but there appear to be 2 active travel sets in the Shrewsbury sidings. Certainly 1, but i could only see the grey 153 on the train further from the running line.

 

[D6130]

Currently delayed at Hereford on board 1W63, 16 53 Cardiff Central - Manchester Piccadilly (82227/67 008). It would appear that the night shift signaller at Leominster has booked sick at short notice and a relief signaller has been summoned.

EDIT: We've just departed Hereford at 18 16 (+15).

 

[Topological]

Currently delayed at Hereford on board 1W63, 16 53 Cardiff Central - Manchester Piccadilly (82227/67 008). It would appear that the night shift signaller at Leominster has booked sick at short notice and a relief signaller has been summoned.

EDIT: We've just departed Hereford at 18 16 (+15).

Seems I got lucky squeezing through that then.

Not a traction delay though.

Hope that wont be enough to prompt a Wilmslow turn around.

 

[D6130]

Seems I got lucky squeezing through that then.

Not a traction delay though.

Hope that wont be enough to prompt a Wilmslow turn around.

So do I. We had made up two minutes by Shrewsbury....but if we've lost our path from Crewe, it could be a real possibility.

 

[MP393]

So do I. We had made up two minutes by Shrewsbury....but if we've lost our path from Crewe, it could be a real possibility.

That one can’t really spin at Wilmslow, or rarely does anyway, while the set comes back empty, the guard works the 20:30 back to Crewe, with a 197 which is left at Piccadilly from the previous arrival at 19:15, so more often than others that one will work through regardless of how late it is.

 

[Topological]

+15 is usually ok for through to Manchester. It is +20 when I start getting nervous. The nominal turnaround at Manchester Piccadilly is 19 minutes (arrive xx:11 depart xx:30).

I did not check today whether the 155x from Cardiff was a double unit. Sometimes that ends up as a single and then the Mk4 set forms the 20:30 as far as Crewe. Of course if that happens then the Mk4 could spin at Wilmslow.

 

[craigybagel]

Also worth bearing in mind that without any traffic in the way, Crewe - Wilmslow can be done in 16 minutes versus the 19 or so booked. Similarly Wilmslow - Stockport only takes 7 and not 10. There's also very generous dwell times at both stations. There's no point speeding them up in the timetable as there's an Avanti due across the junction at Cheadle the TfW needs to wait for, but it is handy for making up a few minutes when running late.

 

[Topological]

Also worth bearing in mind that without any traffic in the way, Crewe - Wilmslow can be done in 16 minutes versus the 19 or so booked. Similarly Wilmslow - Stockport only takes 7 and not 10. There's also very generous dwell times at both stations. There's no point speeding them up in the timetable as there's an Avanti due across the junction at Cheadle the TfW needs to wait for, but it is handy for making up a few minutes when running late.

Was noticeable in the Ardwick blockade when using Avanti for Stockport to Crewe how fast that line is now.

Usually, southbound the train gets to Crewe early, even after a +3 from Piccadilly (I think there is an arrival into one of the 9-12 group that they like to let come in first). Tonight my set used Platform 5 at Crewe, though often the train sits outside waiting for the path across to Platform 6. All illustrates how much faster the line is.

 

[sd0733]

Usually, southbound the train gets to Crewe early, even after a +3 from Piccadilly (I think there is an arrival into one of the 9-12 group that they like to let come in first). Tonight my set used Platform 5 at Crewe, though often the train sits outside waiting for the path across to Platform 6. All illustrates how much faster the line is.

Platforms 9-12 dont affect the Manchester route at all as theres no link. The wait is for the Avanti Euston via Birmingham, most if not all the TfW southbound are now booked off platform 5 with the xx:10 Avanti to Manchester off 6, the xx:13 LNR to London off 11 and the xx:09 Avanti to Scotland off 12. If everything is on time theres little scope to alter any platform anymore.

 

[Topological]

Platforms 9-12 dont affect the Manchester route at all as theres no link. The wait is for the Avanti Euston via Birmingham, most if not all the TfW southbound are now booked off platform 5 with the xx:10 Avanti to Manchester off 6, the xx:13 LNR to London off 11 and the xx:09 Avanti to Scotland off 12. If everything is on time theres little scope to alter any platform anymore.

Sorry if there was confusion. I meant Piccadilly where the TfW often seems to depart at xx:33 from Platform 10. Tonight's 16:30 did actually set off at 30, but that is the first time I had that for a long time.

9 would be a challenge to impact the Manchester at Crewe since it is Chester only

 

[MP393]

Sorry if there was confusion. I meant Piccadilly where the TfW often seems to depart at xx:33 from Platform 10. Tonight's 16:30 did actually set off at 30, but that is the first time I had that for a long time.

9 would be a challenge to impact the Manchester at Crewe since it is Chester only

Normally the Northern 2Axx coming into 9 at Picc is what causes the few minutes, but as you say, normally got those minutes back by Crewe.

 

[D6130]

Also worth bearing in mind that without any traffic in the way, Crewe - Wilmslow can be done in 16 minutes versus the 19 or so booked. Similarly Wilmslow - Stockport only takes 7 and not 10. There's also very generous dwell times at both stations. There's no point speeding them up in the timetable as there's an Avanti due across the junction at Cheadle the TfW needs to wait for, but it is handy for making up a few minutes when running late.

In the end, we arrived at Piccadilly bang on time at 20 15, after a completely clear run from Crewe.

 

[sd0733]

Sorry if there was confusion. I meant Piccadilly where the TfW often seems to depart at xx:33 from Platform 10. Tonight's 16:30 did actually set off at 30, but that is the first time I had that for a long time.

Ah sorry, that makes far more sense reading it properly as Piccadilly!!

Yes, there are definite timekeeping issues getting out of Manchester. Even on the occasions with a right time departure often end up on either of the slow lines or the down fast to pass a late running arrival and still lose a minute or two by Stockport. Those few minutes on the approaches to Crewe are a definite useful way of clawibg it back.

 

[D6130]

Ah sorry, that makes far more sense reading it properly as Piccadilly!!

Yes, there are definite timekeeping issues getting out of Manchester. Even on the occasions with a right time departure often end up on either of the slow lines or the down fast to pass a late running arrival and still lose a minute or two by Stockport. Those few minutes on the approaches to Crewe are a definite useful way of clawibg it back.

Yesterday I travelled on the 10 30 from Piccadilly - which unfortunately was a 3 car 197 vice 67/mark 4 - and we didn't get away from platform 10 until 10 32.

 

[aar0]

In the end, we arrived at Piccadilly bang on time at 20 15, after a completely clear run from Crewe.

Nice to experience the set stretching its legs isn’t it!

 

[D6130]

Nice to experience the set stretching its legs isn’t it!

Yes....but rather uncomfortable in the rear coach with the loco propelling. As well as the usual horizontal back and forth lurch when the driver takes or shuts off power, a lot of general banging and swaying with the screw coupling. Unfortunately the permanent way on the Marches Line between Newport and Crewe isn't up to ECML standards.

 

[SaltAndVinegar]

1W57 got swapped for a unit at Crewe, wasn’t running wildly behind schedule and the onward journey wasn’t significantly delayed - any insights? Something minor that got called ahead so a sub was ready at Crewe?

 

[Envoy]

14.50 from Cardiff to Manchester running as a 2 coach 197 today (Friday 6 March). We still can’t rely on these Premier service trains actually showing up!

 

[Welshguy1048]

@sd0733
@37052 xb mr
@MP393
@BillStampy
@FrodshamJnct

Evening

Will 1W96 tonight be loco or DVT leading from Chester please ?

Thank you

Dave

 

[37052 xb mr]

@sd0733
@37052 xb mr
@MP393
@BillStampy
@FrodshamJnct

Evening

Will 1W96 tonight be loco or DVT leading from Chester please ?

Thank you

Dave

Loco 67017

 

[Welshguy1048]

Loco 67017

@37052 xb mr

Thank you

Appreciate all your help.

Dave

 

[37052 xb mr]

1W57 got swapped for a unit at Crewe, wasn’t running wildly behind schedule and the onward journey wasn’t significantly delayed - any insights? Something minor that got called ahead so a sub was ready at Crewe?

Set required a repair

 

[Topological]

14.50 from Cardiff to Manchester running as a 2 coach 197 today (Friday 6 March). We still can’t rely on these Premier service trains actually showing up!

Glad I am not on the 18:30 from Manchester tonight (which this forms) as that will be very cosy

(To be fair from Shrewsbury south a 2-car 197 is enough)

 

[Jamesrob637]

Was noticeable in the Ardwick blockade when using Avanti for Stockport to Crewe how fast that line is now.

Usually, southbound the train gets to Crewe early, even after a +3 from Piccadilly (I think there is an arrival into one of the 9-12 group that they like to let come in first). Tonight my set used Platform 5 at Crewe, though often the train sits outside waiting for the path across to Platform 6. All illustrates how much faster the line is.

Is it 110 ftom Manchester to Crewe?

 

[Ash Bridge]

Is it 110 ftom Manchester to Crewe?

Alderley Edge to Sandbach is I think.

 

[craigybagel]

1W57 got swapped for a unit at Crewe, wasn’t running wildly behind schedule and the onward journey wasn’t significantly delayed - any insights? Something minor that got called ahead so a sub was ready at Crewe?

Electrical issue with the coaches. It went straight to Crewe ETD for repairs

Is it 110 ftom Manchester to Crewe?

Alderley Edge to Sandbach is I think.

Sandbach to Wilmslow both ways is 110 and it's easily achievable. Additionally Cheadle - Wilmslow is also 110 in the up (South) direction only, but with 5 MKIVs attached a 67 isn't physically capable of reaching those speeds along that stretch, even for ECS runs not stopping at Wilmslow.

 

[Harpo]

1W57 got swapped for a unit at Crewe, wasn’t running wildly behind schedule and the onward journey wasn’t significantly delayed - any insights? Something minor that got called ahead so a sub was ready at Crewe?

It’s the TfW way. They are the nation’s set-swap TOC.

 

[sd0733]

It’s the TfW way. They are the nation’s set-swap TOC.

Its likely the DVT wouldnt have been driveable back from Manchester due to the power fault on it so not swapping it and sending it merrily on its way wouldnt have been the wisest decision.