It does seem to be settling down now to a fairly regular 197 operation. Haven’t seen any 15x on Milford services for a few days now and the last train to Fishguard has been a 197 regularly this week. Are we turning a corner now? Are new units coming on stream or just returning from the wheel turners?
More have been coming into service (I don’t know how many) but also more of the sets with damage have been returning to service as well.
One unit covering for a 197 is still far more preferable to all services being 15x
Spoke too soon, the 0730 and 1030 off Manchester are both single 150s.
Real Time Trains has it as a single 150 (150 231): https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:P64535/2024-01-11/detailed
Both the 0730 and 1030 are 2 car 197 diagrams so it's 2 car v 2 car.
The 10:30 and 18:30 from Manchester are part of CH120 diagram which is a 2 car 197. The Mk4 diagrams are CF901-904.
But will all 7 actually ever make it into service? And will they be reliable enough to provide 5 diagrams consistently?
We can only hope or it'll be short formed 197s to cover....
Yes there'll be 7 sets without a doubt. The in service sets are just taking priority over HD03 to keep as many in service as possible, 2 sets can't be done at the same time.
197s are operating all 3 diagrams on the Borderlands today presumably due to no 230s been available so potentially one less available for mainline services. Mk4s surely can't be as unreliable as the 230s?
They're not as unreliable but to cover a mk4 would for same coach number require 2 units and even 1 unit would likely require short forming at least occasionally
From December 24, shockingly enough.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
It's a poor long wait. I don't doubt there's reasons, likely to do with the ETCS/ERMTS signalling, but it's still poor for customers waiting.
Showing as 197010 and 197044. 044 has been out of service quite a while at Chester so could well be for some form of maintenance but can't be sure what or why!I believe there was a pair at New Street today
Realtime Trains | 5Q56 1431 Chester D.M.U.D. to Tyseley L.M.D. | 12/01/2024
Real-time train running information for 5Q56 1431 departure from Chester D.M.U.D. to Tyseley L.M.D. on 12/01/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
but they were on their way to Tyseley, presumably for some spannering?
My only guess could be the wheel lathe at Tyseley as stock does visit Tyseley every now and then for it. Apart from that I've got no other guesses
Could well be seeing as one also went to Newton Heath for tyre turning last week.
This creates visions of passengers genuinley standing at New Street waiting for the 197
I was unlucky enough to indeed be wedged next to the toilets on a single 150 from Birmingham to Shrewsbury last friday, and then stranded there for two hours at around 11pm due to Cardiff cancellations.
At least they have 158s on that route most of the time which are acceptable for a regional express type service unlike the 150s and 153s that were on the Manchester to Carmarthen/Milfords for many months.
As more of the fleet is brought over to 197’s it will continue to free up 158’s meaning 4 and 6 car 158’s will become more the normal again between Shrewsbury and Birmingham so customers waiting for an improved service will be pleased.
You can still find 150’s on the Birmingham’s, pretty much daily, just hope it’s a 4 car and not a 2 !!
To be fair though, with the Cambrian at least the punters only have to put up with 158s - which are pretty nice units although granted are showing their age a bit in places. At least its not a line ran by 150s or 153s they have to endure. The biggest complaint along the Shrewsbury-Birmingham section is short formations rather than the type of stock used.
At least there is the WMT Shrewsbury-Birmingham NS 196 operated service to fall back on.
