WMR Class 196 Build and Implementation

[AJDesiro]

I congratulate you on the splendid shot of your finger.

Stupid question, but what routes are the 196s eventually going to run on, and where are they planned to be introduced next? Or have they been introduced on all routes they're intended to run on?
What's happening with the 172s, also?

The 172s will remain, albeit isolated to the Snow Hill Lines as they were always meant to be. 196s will be running Birmingham-Shrewsbury, which they have done since October, Birmingham New St-Worcester-Hereford (which has started recently) Camp Hill Line (some time in 2024) and Nuneaton-Leamington (May TTC).

 

[SuperLuke2334]

I congratulate you on the splendid shot of your finger.

Stupid question, but what routes are the 196s eventually going to run on, and where are they planned to be introduced next? Or have they been introduced on all routes they're intended to run on?
What's happening with the 172s, also?

The 172s are going to strengthen Snow Hill lines routes.

The 196s will finish rolling out to Hereford within the next few months, and they will also be rolled out on the Nuneaton - Leamington Spa route as well.

 

[43096]

The 172s are going to strengthen Snow Hill lines routes.

The 196s will finish rolling out to Hereford within the next few months, and they will also be rolled out on the Nuneaton - Leamington Spa route as well.

What happens when 196s go to EWR? 172s back on Nuneaton-Leamington?

 

[Liam L]

A pleasure to meet you at long last good sir

Photos of 196004 and 196006 attached, as well as a bike-selfie on 196004 Now to head to Worcestershire and clear a huge gap on my map, a significant item on my 'to-do list'

Stupid question , Do 196s have dedicated bike spaces?

 

[GWVillager]

Stupid question , Do 196s have dedicated bike spaces?

Yes, I believe it’s two per train, as required. The 4 cars may have two areas though.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Yes, I believe it’s two per train, as required. The 4 cars may have two areas though.

It actually says space for 3 bikes on the bike door of the 2 cars... so presumably 6 for the 4s?

 

[GWVillager]

It actually says space for 3 bikes on the bike door of the 2 cars... so presumably 6 for the 4s?

Looking at the WMR seating layout, it seems that there is only one space on the /1s oddly. They do indeed say ‘x3’ though:

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Looking at the WMR seating layout, it seems that there is only one space on the /1s oddly. They do indeed say ‘x3’ though:

Presumably just space for the 3 bikes again then.

 

[Techniquest]

I congratulate you on the splendid shot of your finger.

Yes I unfortunately noticed that when it was too late to change it!

Stupid question , Do 196s have dedicated bike spaces?

They do indeed. The bike-selfie I attached to my previous post was my Blue Beauty secured in one of those spaces. Allegedly 3 bikes will fit in there, I'm not convinced whatsoever. On the return working, 1250 Birmingham New Street-Hereford, in 196006 there's my cycle and someone else's machine. Fitting 3 cycles on there would be incredibly difficult, I sure wouldn't fancy trying it!

The /0s and /1s both have such a space, marked as space for 3 cycles, in the non-lavatory coach. They have green stickers on the doors to indicate where the space is, it's not well indicated inside and the 3 fold-down seats do get in the way a bit. There's 2 seatbelts for securing cycles, and they are better than some trains for that.

Let's not comment though on the lower levels of society on the trains today. Such examples I've seen include a number of drug users, a couple of them happily talking about who they were buying from and where they were going. I have no words, except to say that I'd love to wipe them off the face of the Earth!

 

[AJDesiro]

Looking at the WMR seating layout, it seems that there is only one space on the /1s oddly. They do indeed say ‘x3’ though:

From the 27 196s I’ve been on, it very much seems that the only difference between the 196/0s and /1s is that the /1s have two more carriages, one of which has a space saver toilet. The driving carriages are identical between the two. You will be able to fit twice as many bikes on a pair of /0s than you would on a /1.

 

[Pokelet]

Saw these pulling into Foregate St on 1M89, quite quiet from the outside I thought.

 

[Liam L]

They do indeed. The bike-selfie I attached to my previous post was my Blue Beauty secured in one of those spaces. Allegedly 3 bikes will fit in there, I'm not convinced whatsoever. On the return working, 1250 Birmingham New Street-Hereford, in 196006 there's my cycle and someone else's machine. Fitting 3 cycles on there would be incredibly difficult, I sure wouldn't fancy trying it!

The /0s and /1s both have such a space, marked as space for 3 cycles, in the non-lavatory coach. They have green stickers on the doors to indicate where the space is, it's not well indicated inside and the 3 fold-down seats do get in the way a bit. There's 2 seatbelts for securing cycles, and they are better than some trains for that.

Let's not comment though on the lower levels of society on the trains today. Such examples I've seen include a number of drug users, a couple of them happily talking about who they were buying from and where they were going. I have no words, except to say that I'd love to wipe them off the face of the Earth!

Thank you, I will have to give it a try. Hopefully the 730s will have space too, as that would be a welcome improvement.

I’m sure the 3 cycle test will be done soon if a family or group of people who are going cycling in the Malverns for example, if it can only less than the advertised number of bikes I’ll be abit disappointed, I’m sure the space which is used for wheelchairs will still be available for bikes too like the 172s and 350s.

 

[Purple Train]

The 172s will remain, albeit isolated to the Snow Hill Lines as they were always meant to be. 196s will be running Birmingham-Shrewsbury, which they have done since October, Birmingham New St-Worcester-Hereford (which has started recently) Camp Hill Line (some time in 2024) and Nuneaton-Leamington (May TTC).

The 172s are going to strengthen Snow Hill lines routes.

The 196s will finish rolling out to Hereford within the next few months, and they will also be rolled out on the Nuneaton - Leamington Spa route as well.

Thank you

 

[Techniquest]

Thank you, I will have to give it a try. Hopefully the 730s will have space too, as that would be a welcome improvement.

I’m sure the 3 cycle test will be done soon if a family or group of people who are going cycling in the Malverns for example, if it can only less than the advertised number of bikes I’ll be abit disappointed, I’m sure the space which is used for wheelchairs will still be available for bikes too like the 172s and 350s.

As far as I'm aware, it's the same concept on 730s. I would hope so anyway!

I think generally you'll be fine, and to be fair the first time I travelled on a 196 I was directed by WMR crew to the disabled access area. Given that's where cycles have gone for a long time, it's perfectly reasonable an idea that. Hopefully it'll not be an issue, but I guess we'll find out when the better weather arrives

 

[Liam L]

As far as I'm aware, it's the same concept on 730s. I would hope so anyway!

I think generally you'll be fine, and to be fair the first time I travelled on a 196 I was directed by WMR crew to the disabled access area. Given that's where cycles have gone for a long time, it's perfectly reasonable an idea that. Hopefully it'll not be an issue, but I guess we'll find out when the better weather arrives

Definitely, do the bike areas have straps or belts so the bikes can be secured? I’m don’t really want to be holding my bike on long journey incase it falls during movement.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Definitely, do the bike areas have straps or belts so the bikes can be secured? I’m don’t really want to be holding my bike on long journey incase it falls during movement.

They do have straps yes.

 

[Liam L]

They do have straps yes.

Excellent to hear.

 

[Techniquest]

They do indeed, if you have a look at the photo I attached yesterday my cycle is being held in place by the strap Pull it out as far as it will go, then secure the strap around the cycle and clip it in place, the belt will retract and keep the cycle in place. Unlike a normal seatbelt, if you pull it out only so far, then pull on it to extend it some more, that doesn't work. I don't know if that makes sense, it's easier to understand when you're using it yourself

 

[Liam L]

They do indeed, if you have a look at the photo I attached yesterday my cycle is being held in place by the strap Pull it out as far as it will go, then secure the strap around the cycle and clip it in place, the belt will retract and keep the cycle in place. Unlike a normal seatbelt, if you pull it out only so far, then pull on it to extend it some more, that doesn't work. I don't know if that makes sense, it's easier to understand when you're using it yourself

I just had another look at your photo, That does make sense

 

[Techniquest]

I just had another look at your photo, That does make sense

Cool beans Quite happy to provide advice on taking a cycle on trains elsewhere too, but of course not in this thread

 

[Liam L]

Seems like that 196 diagram was Saturday only for the time being, was booked a 170 today.

Any ideas when it will be weekday too?

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Seems like that 196 diagram was Saturday only for the time being, was booked a 170 today.

Any ideas when it will be weekday too?

I was talking to another driver today, on the 170 diagram actually, he said May TT maybe slightly earlier for weekday diagrams so they can get the 170s gone.

 

[Techniquest]

I was actually wondering about that, and I'd considered asking the question on this thread. Certainly not much longer to wait for 196s on weekday diagrams Which works for me as I haven't enough spare money to go chasing 196s for a couple of weeks!

 

[newtownmgr]

What happens when 196s go to EWR? 172s back on Nuneaton-Leamington?

Nope. Why go to the expense of training crews at Leamington & Coventry if that was going to be the case. Will stay as 196’s as only 6 units going on loan to EWR

 

[boxerdog]

Nope. Why go to the expense of training crews at Leamington & Coventry if that was going to be the case. Will stay as 196’s as only 6 units going on loan to EWR

The last I heard the Leamington - Nuneaton service was having a mix of 196s (weekdays) and 172s (weekends). Although I don't know if this idea has changed recently.

 

[newtownmgr]

The last I heard the Leamington - Nuneaton service was having a mix of 196s (weekdays) and 172s (weekends). Although I don't know if this idea has changed recently.

Don’t know.

 

[william.martin]

196007 and 196008 are back and running faultlessly.

 

[Travellin’man]

170s are booked on saturdays on the same diagram as the weekdays.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Apr 2023 ==

According to @Jacob Porrett

196007 & 196008 are due to run 1626 Birmingham New Street to Shrewsbury this evening.
First time these units have been in service I believe?

This weekend the Birmingham/ Herefords are using Snow Hill. Does anyone know please which will be 196 or 170. Specifically looking at 1039 ex Hereford. Many thanks

 

[SuperLuke2334]

This weekend the Birmingham/ Herefords are using Snow Hill. Does anyone know please which will be 196 or 170. Specifically looking at 1039 ex Hereford. Many thanks

1039 ex Hereford was 196 last week, and I haven't seen anything to suggest it won't be again so that diagram SHOULD be 196. 0839 ex Hereford tends to be the 170 diagram.

 

[Matt1981]

196006 and 196004 came to a sudden stop at the top of the Lickey this morning on the early working (06.33 from Droitwich). Got moving again after a 5-10 min delay.

196004 now partnered with 196001 for 17.50 New Street - Worcester Shrub Hill