WAG Express discussion

[175001]

Sorry off topic, but tweeted ATW regarding the new timetable, from January, it seems no Conwy Valley services will call on request at Roman Bridge, can't imagine why. No reply as yet.

 

[merlodlliw]

I hope ATW aren't charging for the WAG 2 175 (since WAG already paid for 67s from December). Alternativly, ATW could refund this year's portion of the WAG 2 class 67 monies and charge for the 175 instead.

No idea, but this Minister wont be such an easy push over, unlike the last one. If I was Minister id want some of my £3.5 millions back from ATW for WAG2 67
which was paid up front to ATW to run from Dec 2011.

Later. I am now told the ATW dispensation for delay from National Rail & ORR runs out on Friday , two weeks before the start of the year long timetable,according to reliable sources, so somebody is paying for open access Wags 1 & 2 to March. Well done Charlie Hume of North Wales Rail website, your contacts were spot on.
Bob

 

[jones_bangor]

No idea, but this Minister wont be such an easy push over, unlike the last one. If I was Minister id want some of my £3.5 millions back from ATW for WAG2 67
which was paid up front to ATW to run from Dec 2011.

Later. I am now told the ATW dispensation for delay from National Rail & ORR runs out on Friday , two weeks before the start of the year long timetable,according to reliable sources, so somebody is paying for open access Wags 1 & 2 to March. Well done Charlie Hume of North Wales Rail website, your contacts were spot on.
Bob

WG are clearly paying. Looks like Labour have, as I predicted some months agn, decided not to dismantle One Wales, despite what some Tory AMs would like!

 

[TDK]

from this weeks http://www.nwrail.org.uk/nwnews.htm editorial put up with permission.

One interesting piece of news which comes to light is that the Cardiff - Holyhead via Crewe express will continue to be 57-hauled after the December timetable change, but, also in December, training of drivers on Class 67s will commence with a view to the train being taken over by 67-worked push-pull trains in March 2012. The so-called 'second WAG Express' which runs via Wrexham will, it appears, continue to be a class 175 railcar set, perhaps until the Welsh Government decides whether it should continue. ENDS

If its anyone is in the know Charlie Hume has his ears to the ground, confirmation will be announced on Thursday at the Cardiff Bay reception
at 1140a.m. by the WG Minister Carl Sargent A.M for Alyn & Deeside, then we should know if both Wag1 & 2 will continue,

Bob

You may find it will be a single 67 and not a 57, training I believe has already started with many drivers at Crewe already signing 67's. So I recon it will be single 67 via Crewe and 175 on the Wrexham WAG2

 

[Rhydgaled]

WG are clearly paying. Looks like Labour have, as I predicted some months agn, decided not to dismantle One Wales, despite what some Tory AMs would like!

Paying for WAG 1 yes, but my point was they already (according to merlodlliw) have paid for WAG 2 (with class 67s from December) and it would be evil of ATW if they tried to charge WAG on top of that for working something else on WAG 2.

 

[merlodlliw]

WG are clearly paying. Looks like Labour have, as I predicted some months agn, decided not to dismantle One Wales, despite what some Tory AMs would like!

We will not know who is paying until the review due soon, its all speculation
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Paying for WAG 1 yes, but my point was they already (according to merlodlliw) have paid for WAG 2 (with class 67s from December) and it would be evil of ATW if they tried to charge WAG on top of that for working something else on WAG 2.

£3.5 millions for WAG2 67s from Dec 2011. The 175 was hired in by ATW from its own franchise stock to run O/A to 9th Dec, ATW charged WG £312K per coach(£625Kpaid) for six months O/A hire.


Bob
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

You may find it will be a single 67 and not a 57, training I believe has already started with many drivers at Crewe already signing 67's. So I recon it will be single 67 via Crewe and 175 on the Wrexham WAG2

You may well be correct, I have not heard of any DVT training yet.

 

[krus_aragon]

Sorry off topic, but tweeted ATW regarding the new timetable, from January, it seems no Conwy Valley services will call on request at Roman Bridge, can't imagine why. No reply as yet.

Yet only until the 24th of March, then they're back again. Very odd.

 

[The175]

I think Roman Bridge station being shut for repairs? Seems odd mind as most of that period it'll no doubt resort to buses anyway!

 

[TDK]

You may well be correct, I have not heard of any DVT training yet.

Indeed, they do not have DVT's yet to train on but if they do run 67's and mk 3's from December insted of the 57's this may persued the out of touch WAG that they have completed their promise of 67's being run on WAG. All they will be doing is using a 67 instead of a 57 on WAG 1 and a 175 on wag 2 until the DVT's are ready. For the coaches they can always hire from Cargo D. If they wanted to adhere to their promise they will have to run top and tail 67's, this is possible as this is what WSMR did on the outset until the DVT's were ready.

 

[175001]

I think Roman Bridge station being shut for repairs? Seems odd mind as most of that period it'll no doubt resort to buses anyway!

Hmm, wonder what can be done to it other than rasing the platform!

 

[cymro inside]

Roman Bridge station is being completely rebuilt in the new year and a bus/taxi shuttle will operate from Dolwyddelan, North LLanrwst and Tal Y Cafn are receiving Harrington Humps in the new year as well, no news on humps at Ty Croes and Bodorgan yet. I presume that the platform at Roman Bridge is in too much of a state to have patch mending..

 

[Daysaver]

WAG1 was formed off a 3 car 175 through Chester this morning.

I'm told it was going up to Holyhead last night also.

 

[merlodlliw]

WAG1 was formed off a 3 car 175 through Chester this morning.

I'm told it was going up to Holyhead last night also.

Interesting, another 175 taken off a franchise run, Gerald must be Ill,I wonder if hes at the Canton Doctors.

Bob

 

[Daysaver]

Yes but to have all four loco's and two rakes I'll is a bit strange.

Virgin loco's have been know to operate it also, so not short enough to use a 175.

 

[Adamclad]

WAG1 was formed off a 3 car 175 through Chester this morning.

I'm told it was going up to Holyhead last night also.

The coaching stock that was due to form the W91 off Canton yesterday afternoon was failed about an hour prior to departure and a 175 was stepped up from the station in its place.

 

[jones_bangor]

Interesting, another 175 taken off a franchise run, Gerald must be Ill,I wonder if hes at the Canton Doctors.

Oh come on... where's the difference between Gerald / WAG and the rest of the Arriva services...all funded / subsidised by WG.

Would you have felt better if the whole train had been cancelled last night and the passengers left stranded?

 

[Michael.Y]

Don't know if it's relevant, but WAG 1 hit a flock of sheep yesterday between Abergavenny and Hereford; and was delayed coming down... the knock-on effect included cancelling my 11:36 working off Newport.

According to one steward who went past the scene afterwards, all the sheep were still clearly visible from the train lying on their back with their legs in the air.

 

[merlodlliw]

here is the report.




The stock of the WAG Express failed at Canton yesterday afternoon. The 1615 1W91 to Holyhead was 175113 which should return as 1V31 0532 Holyhead to Cardiff. Todays 1615 Cadiff to Holyhead is booked for Virgin Thunderbird 57311 PARKER. We shall see if it happens
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Oh come on... where's the difference between Gerald / WAG and the rest of the Arriva services...all funded / subsidised by WG.

......................................................................................................

An amazing response even from you, Gerald is run open access the rest of the fleet except WAG2 175 are franchise timetabled trains,

and as there is another Holyhead an hour later,plus an hourly service to Crewe, how could anyone be stranded.


Bob

 

[Drimnagh Road]

Sources on the "Virgin Trains & Chiltern Railways Loco Hauled Gen" Facebook page saying the 9th is now the final day for 57s & Wag 1....

Stock going to warm store at Canton for a few weeks when it will be then used for training with 67s.

Anybody know if this is solid?

 

[merlodlliw]

Sources on the "Virgin Trains & Chiltern Railways Loco Hauled Gen" Facebook page saying the 9th is now the final day for 57s & Wag 1....

Stock going to warm store at Canton for a few weeks when it will be then used for training with 67s.

Anybody know if this is solid?

No idea what stock will be used, but WAG1 & 2 are timetabled, last I was told was WAG1 stock put on life saving device to March 2012.
All I know for sure is Funding for 57 ends on 9th December unless extended to March. We will know in 12 days time on the 12th December what stock is used,but Charlie Hume of North Wales Rail should know by next Tuesday from his ATW staff contacts.

Bob

 

[jones_bangor]

An amazing response even from you, Gerald is run open access the rest of the fleet except WAG2 175 are franchise timetabled trains,

and as there is another Holyhead an hour later,plus an hourly service to Crewe, how could anyone be stranded.

That train you talk about has always been full in my experience (I've actually used it)- it would have been a sardine job if WAG1 hadn't run.

How can I get my point across that WAG 1 provides essential North - South capacity?? It does serve Shrewsbury, Crewe & Chester en route.....had the WAG service been shelved (it wasn't - contrary to your predictions), a sub would have had to have been found for it anyway.

 

[Greenback]

That train you talk about has always been full in my experience (I've actually used it)- it would have been a sardine job if WAG1 hadn't run.

How can I get my point across that WAG 1 provides essential North - South capacity?? It does serve Shrewsbury, Crewe & Chester en route.....had the WAG service been shelved (it wasn't - contrary to your predictions), a sub would have had to have been found for it anyway.

Is it the most cost effective way to proivde additional capacity though?

I won't argue about capacity, as many of the Manchester trains are packed in the afternoon.

 

[jones_bangor]

Is it the most cost effective way to proivde additional capacity though?

I won't argue about capacity, as many of the Manchester trains are packed in the afternoon.

I'm not sure about the most cost-effective, but it may be the only way to add capacity.

I was on a Manchester train going North last week, packed & standing going into Cardiff, even worse leaving Cardiff. A two car 175.......

 

[Greenback]

I'm not sure about the most cost-effective, but it may be the only way to add capacity.

I was on a Manchester train going North last week, packed & standing going into Cardiff, even worse leaving Cardiff. A two car 175.......

They really shouldn't have 2 car trains on those services. Still, there is an argument that FC carriages and restaurant cars are not the best way to add capacity on busy routes!

Personally, I think there should be more catering and FC accommodation, but not at the expense of standard carriages. Ideally, there should be plenty of capacity for both, but the way the industry is set up doesn't seem to encourage it.

 

[sprinterguy]

I'm not sure about the most cost-effective, but it may be the only way to add capacity.

They managed to pull a 175 from somewhere to operate "WAG2". That unit could have been funded to work a more intensive diagram throughout the day, or even the same for the 150 that replaced it on its' pre-WAG diagram.

 

[merlodlliw]

That train you talk about has always been full in my experience (I've actually used it)- it would have been a sardine job if WAG1 hadn't run.

How can I get my point across that WAG 1 provides essential North - South capacity?? It does serve Shrewsbury, Crewe & Chester en route.....had the WAG service been shelved (it wasn't - contrary to your predictions), a sub would have had to have been found for it anyway.

For years I used the 5.20p.m. ex CDF, always full to Newport, two weeks ago I used a return from CDF at around 2.50p.m,. a two coach 175 packed.

The return WAG1, is just a replacement of a DMU to Abergavenny, I have nothing against loco hauled trains, but object to Premier class used by so few,I also do not think WAG2 175 serves any purpose parked up at Canton for six hours each day between noon & 6.00p.m. , this is no way to shift people and a waste of franchise stock as is WAG1 also out of service for six hours.

Bob

 

[Gareth Marston]

For years I used the 5.20p.m. ex CDF, always full to Newport, two weeks ago I used a return from CDF at around 2.50p.m,. a two coach 175 packed.

The return WAG1, is just a replacement of a DMU to Abergavenny, I have nothing against loco hauled trains, but object to Premier class used by so few,I also do not think WAG2 175 serves any purpose parked up at Canton for six hours each day between noon & 6.00p.m. , this is no way to shift people and a waste of franchise stock as is WAG1 also out of service for six hours.

Bob

Extra capacity is most needed on the Manchester services not the Holyhead ones out of Cardiff. Further North we had standing commuters on ATW's Manchester to Llandudno service on TV tonight.

 

[jones_bangor]

The return WAG1, is just a replacement of a DMU to Abergavenny, I have nothing against loco hauled trains, but object to Premier class used by so few,I also do not think WAG2 175 serves any purpose parked up at Canton for six hours each day between noon & 6.00p.m. , this is no way to shift people and a waste of franchise stock as is WAG1 also out of service for six hours.

The only good thing about the Premier class coach is the buffet counter...especially if I've caught the morning train south.......

I've said before, morning WAG2 is not required....would be better if there were a northbound WAG, but a 175 is hardly the same as Gerald...

 

[merlodlliw]

Extra capacity is most needed on the Manchester services not the Holyhead ones out of Cardiff. Further North we had standing commuters on ATW's Manchester to Llandudno service on TV tonight.

Yes I watched the programme, I now travel a lot more to Manchester than Cardiff now due to work.

I also confirm all the ATW trains leaving Manchester between the hours of 1600 & 1800 are standing room only usually to Runcorn on the North Wales service.
On some it is impossible to board at Oxford Rd they are so full.

Oh for the return of the Manchester Club loco hauled.

Bob
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The only good thing about the Premier class coach is the buffet counter...especially if I've caught the morning train south.......

I've said before, morning WAG2 is not required....would be better if there were a northbound WAG, but a 175 is hardly the same as Gerald...

I agree with you about WAG2, a total waste of a franchise train,I also agree loco hauled is far superior to a DMU, have a buffet counter but make the wasted space in 1st into standard and shift people instead of this silly six hour hang up at Cardiff.

Bob

 

[bnm]

here is the report.

The stock of the WAG Express failed at Canton yesterday afternoon. The 1615 1W91 to Holyhead was 175113 which should return as 1V31 0532 Holyhead to Cardiff. Todays 1615 Cadiff to Holyhead is booked for Virgin Thunderbird 57311 PARKER. We shall see if it happens

I can confirm it was 57311 Parker hauling the 1615 to Holyhead on 30th November. I know because I was on it. Dinner was very nice too! Photos below on departure from Cardiff and arrival at a wet 'n wild Llandudno Junction.