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Ex LNER (and Grand Central) Mark 4 sets for TfW

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MCR247

MCR247

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I’m on my 2nd 5 car set for the day, and my first time on one of the non-GC refurb sets and I have to say the red MK4s are very well presented on the inside, at least in 1225 anyway.
 
A

aar0

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sd0733 said:
Seemingly a couple of diagrams gave changed for tomorrow, unsure how long for.

04:35/12:49 Cardiff to Manchester
08:30/16:30 Manchester to Cardiff/Swansea are now booked single 197/0.

Mk4 diagrams have changed to:

05:32 Swansea to Manchester
10:30 Manchester to Cardiff
17:14 Cardiff to Holyhead

04:54 Crewe to Cardiff
08:49 Cardiff to Manchester
12:30 Manchester to Cardiff
16:49 Cardiff to Manchester

05:30 Holyhead to Cardiff
10:52 Cardiff to Manchester
14:30 Manchester to Cardiff
18:55 Cardiff to Manchester

06:27 Manchester to Cardiff
14:49 Cardiff to Manchester
18:30 Manchester to Cardiff.

Not sure the reasoning behind it as that 2 car 197 diagram, 1W11 and 1V50 especially will really struggle as a 2 car.

Those 4 diagrams are planned to be 67014+HD07, 67022+HD03, 67025+HD04 and 67008+HD01 respectively tomorrow
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The lose of the 1630 to Swansea upsets me! Nicely busy on Friday and many dining with me.
 
TT-ONR-NRN

TT-ONR-NRN

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TT-ONR-NRN said:
Against my will (I’d much rather take a different route but two hour replacement buses through Cumbria threaten to take precious time out of the as it is, and there is no very early option via BHM), I’ve got to do the 0435 CDF MAN in its entirety to get to my destination in the North West on Tuesday morning.

Can I expect a MK4 set on this, or a 197? I’ll tell you now, a 3-197 with declassified Business Class would be a gold strike.

I’m booked on the 1630 back down on the Wednesday which I know is allocated for a MK4, but that’s with Furness line trains running in the timetable… they’ll almost definitely still be replacement buses so there’s no way I’m making it :lol:
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MP393 said:
I had heard that at least next week, the “Cardiff start” diagram is running on the 06:35 Cardiff Manchester, 10:30 Manchester Cardiff, 14:49 Cardiff Manchester & 18:30 Manchester - Cardiff instead of the 04:35 start. This would add up as 1st class advances aren’t now available for sale on the 04:35, but are for the 06:35. They certainly have swapped the Canton start diagram over before on a week by week basis but that hasn’t happened for a while, but at least if you get a 197 I hope for you it’s an “SP” one!
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051 ;)
 
TT-ONR-NRN

TT-ONR-NRN

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Jez said:
051 is the only 2 car that I need to compete the sub class . Enjoy your journey!
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I am thoroughly doing so, thank you. I've kept this table to myself thus far (next stop Ludlow) and the train is lightly loaded and riding well. I might well prefer this to a MK4's standard to be honest; I like the modified Sophias and especially the wings, which make for a good headrest, so the substitution this week is not a problem at all for me. I think the 197s are great trains.
 
J

Jez

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TT-ONR-NRN said:
I am thoroughly doing so, thank you. I've kept this table to myself thus far (next stop Ludlow) and the train is lightly loaded and riding well. I might well prefer this to a MK4's standard to be honest; I like the modified Sophias and especially the wings, which make for a good headrest, so the substitution this week is not a problem at all for me. I think the 197s are great trains.
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Me too. A first class seat on a MK4 is obviously better but I think a 197 wins over standard class Mk4 hands down ! Controversial opinion but I stick with my opinion lol ;)
 
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Richard Scott

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Jez said:
Me too. A first class seat on a MK4 is obviously better but I think a 197 wins over standard class Mk4 hands down ! Controversial opinion but I stick with my opinion lol ;)
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Controversial definitely. There is no way I'd take a 197 over a mk4. That's not because of loco haulage, as don't need any of 67s that work that route, it's because a mk4 has a vastly superior passenger environment (and ride).
 
M

MikePJ

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I've been up and down the Marches line a couple of times recently - first time to Manchester on a Mk4, returning on a 197, and then the second time on a 197 both ways. Much as I have nostalgic feelings for the Mk4s and find them a pleasant environment, I was actually very impressed with the 197s in terms of seat comfort, ride and cabin noise. Both times I travelled in standard and was trying to get some work done when not distracted by the lovely scenery! Yes, a loco-hauled set is a bit quieter, but in terms of business travel the 197s were perfectly adequate. Even boarding a full-and-standing two-car 197 at Crewe the experience was okay for a train that full, and I got a seat after a few stops. My one minor complaint is that whilst it's lovely to have on-board catering, TfW should make it clearer exactly when the catering crew (trolley or buffet) are on the train: it seems to be between Newport and Shrewsbury, but doubtless people here know more than me.
 
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IslandLine101

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For those in the know, how are the updated diagrams doing? I for one am amazed that the 0454 off CDF is coping as a single 197 for the final run into Manchester given its usually full and standing with a 4car Mk 4.
 
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Lurcheroo

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IslandLine101 said:
For those in the know, how are the updated diagrams doing? I for one am amazed that the 0454 off CDF is coping as a single 197 for the final run into Manchester given its usually full and standing with a 4car Mk 4.
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Not sure as i don’t use or work it but if a 4 car mark4 on that service is full and standing then a 2 car 197 will likely be full to bursting with many passengers forced to use a different service to get to Manchester.
 
T

Topological

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I am another who is perfectly happy with the 197. That said, on the 10:30 from Manchester later so will be able to do a Mk4 comparison.

All I really do not want is for a 150 to turn up. That is an unsuitable train.

The hourly service continuing across Cardiff would be great too, but I will be like a stuck record forever on that one :)
 
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Lurcheroo

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Topological said:
I am another who is perfectly happy with the 197. That said, on the 10:30 from Manchester later so will be able to do a Mk4 comparison.

All I really do not want is for a 150 to turn up. That is an unsuitable train.

The hourly service continuing across Cardiff would be great too, but I will be like a stuck record forever on that one :)
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Looks like that is booked for 67014 and HD07 which is a 5 car.
 
T

Topological

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Lurcheroo said:
Looks like that is booked for 67014 and HD07 which is a 5 car.
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Ill swap it to a 2 car 197 if it guarantees the connection onto the 13:47 from Cardiff though :)

No doubt a 5-car is a suitable length for a Manchester to Cardiff train though, so credit where credit is due for getting the train right today.
 
TT-ONR-NRN

TT-ONR-NRN

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IslandLine101 said:
For those in the know, how are the updated diagrams doing? I for one am amazed that the 0454 off CDF is coping as a single 197 for the final run into Manchester given its usually full and standing with a 4car Mk 4.
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I was on the 0435 CDF - MAN travelling Cardiff to Crewe yesterday and had a table to myself all the way until Nantwich.
 
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Jez

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It looks like the 0532 ex Swansea was a 150 today just to Cardiff rather than the MK4 running from Swansea. The 1630 Manchester to Swansea is a 3 car 197 today which at least is an improvement on the 2 cars on Monday.
 
TT-ONR-NRN

TT-ONR-NRN

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Lurcheroo said:
No chef ? Is there at least some drinks ?
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Yes, and to be honest, all I wanted for my journey to Cardiff was a hot cup of tea, which I will get, so I'm happy.

The other couple in the carriage are audibly absolutely furious. They're mouthing off like anything. If the hot meal service was still complementary, I would also be greatly irritated, but for today I'm just going to just see it as having saved £25. I make this journey 2-3 times a month to visit my other half currently in Cumbria, and that saving will pay for a full journey back up from Cardiff in a week.

I am a little disappointed sandwiches aren't available though. Thankfully I have some hot cross buns left from the pack I bought for breakfast :lol:

Edit: I have my tea, and as always, it’s in lovely chinaware, which is a small touch that always delights me.
 

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T

Topological

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10:30 from Manchester was a 5-car Mk4, but there is very little point when the 197 continuing west pulls out at the same time the Mk4 is arriving. The scheduled connection works but instead there is an hour wait for the next train west.

You just wonder whether the despatchers at Cardiff enjoy letting one train go when they know the one arriving on the neighbouring platform has passengers on it who want that train.

The delay repay is always nice, but I simply cannot see how a 5-minute delay would have impacted anything, especially 197s are good at recovering time.
 
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sd0733

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Tomorrow should see for the first time in many months a loco on all 7 sets with the return of long term absentee 67012.

State of play is now:

HD01+67008 (5 car- in service)
HD02+67012 (5 car- on exam/lengthening but believe formed up now as 5 car)
HD03+67010 (5 car- in service)
HD04+67025 (4 car- in service)
HD05+67013 (4 car-in service but scheduled exam after Friday)
HD06+67022 (5 car- In service)
HD07+67014 (5 car- In service)

Edited to update- 67022 is now on HD06 rather with 67010 now expected to go onto HD03 and 67012 onto HD02
 
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J

Jez

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Topological said:
10:30 from Manchester was a 5-car Mk4, but there is very little point when the 197 continuing west pulls out at the same time the Mk4 is arriving. The scheduled connection works but instead there is an hour wait for the next train west.

You just wonder whether the despatchers at Cardiff enjoy letting one train go when they know the one arriving on the neighbouring platform has passengers on it who want that train.

The delay repay is always nice, but I simply cannot see how a 5-minute delay would have impacted anything, especially 197s are good at recovering time.
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i cannot see the logic in not holding the train a few minutes given any passengers for stations West of Carmarthen would have a very long wait or be entitled to road transport to get them to their destinations. The negligible time penalty for holding the service for 2-3 minutes would be a lot less than the delay repay/possible arranging road transport/taxi's for any passengers going Haverfordwest/Milford.


sd0733 said:
Tomorrow should see for the first time in many months a loco on all 7 sets with the return of long term absentee 67012.

State of play is now:

HD01+67008 (5 car- in service)
HD02+67010 (5 car- on exam/lengthening but believe formed up now as 5 car)
HD03+67022 (5 car- in service)
HD04+67025 (4 car- in service)
HD05+67013 (4 car-in service but scheduled exam after Friday)
HD06+67012 (5 car- In service)
HD07+67014 (5 car- In service)
Click to expand...
Will the full 2 hourly MK4 Manchester service run given we have so many sets or will one of them still be subbed for a 197 (this week it appears to be the 0435 Cardiff diagram) ?
 
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sd0733

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Jez said:
Will all the full 2 hours MK4 Manchester service run given we have so many sets or will one of them still be subbed for a 197 (this week it appears to be the 0435 Cardiff diagram) ?
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Not sure what the current plan is for diagram 5 at the moment. Availability is now massively ahead of where it was, the B exams which have happened see quite a few components replaced and some mods done and the sets seem much better after it so hopefully its not far away. There's been spare sets each day this week which would have been unheard of a few weeks back!
 
J

Jez

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sd0733 said:
Not sure what the current plan is for diagram 5 at the moment. Availability is now massively ahead of where it was, the B exams which have happened see quite a few components replaced and some mods done and the sets seem much better after it so hopefully its not far away. There's been spare sets each day this week which would have been unheard of a few weeks back!
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That is very good news indeed! Hopefully by the June timetable the 5th diagram will have started.
 
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jamess

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sd0733 said:
Not sure what the current plan is for diagram 5 at the moment. Availability is now massively ahead of where it was, the B exams which have happened see quite a few components replaced and some mods done and the sets seem much better after it so hopefully its not far away. There's been spare sets each day this week which would have been unheard of a few weeks back!
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was a 158 today
 
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