Progress of delivery of cascaded/refurbished/PRM modified stock to TFW/Wales and Borders

[PHILIPE]

Possible to send it down the way it went up but at night ?? When there are less services I'm not local so not sure

The line is closed from 1940 north of Radyr until May due to Metro Construction work except Friday and Saturday

 

[Anonymous10]

The line is closed from 1940 north of Radyr until May due to Metro Construction work except Friday and Saturday

Could be sent down on a Friday night then?? Just thinking that would be the easiest way

 

[PHILIPE]

West Midlands Trains (or ex) 153371 and 153375 are en route on 5D85 from Burton to Canton but at the moment are blocking the line having struck an obstruction (not specified as usual) and lost all air in the Abbottswood Junction area causing XC to divert via Kidderminster

They were taken back

West Midlands Trains (or ex) 153371 and 153375 are en route on 5D85 from Burton to Canton but at the moment are blocking the line having struck an obstruction (not specified as usual) and lost all air in the Abbottswood Junction area causing XC to divert via Kidderminster

They were hauled to Tyseley the following day and are part of a convoy of 6 which have run from Tyseley to Gloucester and back today so presume a Test run.

 

[ABB125]

They were taken back


They were hauled to Tyseley the following day and are part of a convoy of 6 which have run from Tyseley to Gloucester and back today so presume a Test run.

Someone I know saw the southbound run through Cheltenham this morning and said it was 4 vehicles, but this afternoon at Selly Oak it was 6. That suggests that the two failed units were left at Gloucester over the weekend?

 

[PHILIPE]

This looks like the stranded 153312 escaping from Treherbert

www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/V13162/2020-10-26/detailed

Looking at the timings it seems to be running at reduced speed and an agreement to pass through the block.

 

[berneyarms]

This looks like the stranded 153312 escaping from Treherbert

www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/V13162/2020-10-26/detailed

Looking at the timings it seems to be running at reduced speed and an agreement to pass through the block.

Is that not a rail replacement bus?

I think you mean this one below it:

Realtime Trains - 8T55 2040 Treherbert Siding to Cardiff Canton Sidings

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[PHILIPE]

Is that not a rail replacement bus?

I think you mean this one below it:

Realtime Trains - 8T55 2040 Treherbert Siding to Cardiff Canton Sidings

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Whoops. Copied the wrong movement:-

 

[anamyd]

Does anyone know how long the ex-West Midlands 153s will be in service with TfW Rail for once they are...? And/or how long the use of the ex-East Midlands and ex-Anglia 153s will be extended for past 31/12/20 (assuming it will be)...?

 

[PHILIPE]

Does anyone know how long the ex-West Midlands 153s will be in service with TfW Rail for once they are...? And/or how long the use of the ex-East Midlands and ex-Anglia 153s will be extended for past 31/12/20 (assuming it will be)...?

I think I can only answer this by more questions.

When will the 769s be in service ?
How long will COVID last allowing full training programmes and backlogs to be undertaken again ?

Plus more such as, Will there be any dispensation for an extension for Pacers.. There are allegedly 4 more 153s coming short term from WMR as you will see in the following posts.

 

[crosscity]

Someone I know saw the southbound run through Cheltenham this morning and said it was 4 vehicles, but this afternoon at Selly Oak it was 6. That suggests that the two failed units were left at Gloucester over the weekend?

I followed this episode using a real-time signalling diagram website, with some trips to Kings Norton station, but missed the six-car convoy.

Here are the original pair on their way to Cardiff before getting stuck at Worcestershire Parkway.

22Oct20 14:42. Kings Norton. Class 153 Sprinter DMU 153371 153375. [IMG_20201022_144248_367] by Ray, on Flickr

The Cross Country Class 170 spare was sent out from New St and moved the 153's to Abbotswood Jct Goods Loop, where they stayed the night. (Sorry no photo). The down line was blocked for three hours with south-bound trains diverted via Droitwich and Worcester (not Kidderminster).

The following day these two 'rescue dogs' was despatched from Tyseley. The original plan was to take the failed units back to Tyseley, but I think there was worry that two good 153's might not have enough oomph to get the failed ones up the Lickey incline. So these two took the failed ones from Abbotswood to Gloucester Yard.

23Oct20 12:42. Kings Norton. Class 153 Sprinter DMU 153354 153365 221126. [IMG_20201023_124255_315] by Ray, on Flickr

Later on (Fri) the two rescue units went back to Burton. Here they are passing Kings Norton.

23Oct20 18:15. Kings Norton. Class 153 Sprinter DMU 153354 153365. [P1100531] by Ray, on Flickr

The stricken units did indeed spend the week-end at Gloucester.

 

[ABB125]

I followed this episode using a real-time signalling diagram website, with some trips to Kings Norton station, but missed the six-car convoy.

Here are the original pair on their way to Cardiff before getting stuck at Worcestershire Parkway.

22Oct20 14:42. Kings Norton. Class 153 Sprinter DMU 153371 153375. [IMG_20201022_144248_367] by Ray, on Flickr

The Cross Country Class 170 spare was sent out from New St and moved the 153's to Abbotswood Jct Goods Loop, where they stayed the night. (Sorry no photo). The down line was blocked for three hours with south-bound trains diverted via Droitwich and Worcester (not Kidderminster).

The following day these two 'rescue dogs' was despatched from Tyseley. The original plan was to take the failed units back to Tyseley, but I think there was worry that two good 153's might not have enough oomph to get the failed ones up the Lickey incline. So these two took the failed ones from Abbotswood to Gloucester Yard.

23Oct20 12:42. Kings Norton. Class 153 Sprinter DMU 153354 153365 221126. [IMG_20201023_124255_315] by Ray, on Flickr

Later on (Fri) the two rescue units went back to Burton. Here they are passing Kings Norton.

23Oct20 18:15. Kings Norton. Class 153 Sprinter DMU 153354 153365. [P1100531] by Ray, on Flickr

The stricken units did indeed spend the week-end at Gloucester.

Thanks, that's pretty much my understanding as well.
Here's the 6 unit for action at Selly Oak, for anyone who missed it:

Is this the longest class 153 formation ever? It's certainly the longest I've come across.

 

[Bikeman78]

I think I can only answer this by more questions.

When will the 769s be in service ?
How long will COVID last allowing full training programmes and backlogs to be undertaken again ?

Plus more such as, Will there be any dispensation for an extension for Pacers.. There are allegedly 4 more 153s coming short term from WMR as you will see in the following posts.

If they actually make it to Canton. How long have those WMR units been out of service?

 

[PHILIPE]

If they actually make it to Canton. How long have those WMR units been out of service?

Possibly the COVID lockdown in March

 

[craigybagel]

Thanks, that's pretty much my understanding as well.
Here's the 6 unit for action at Selly Oak, for anyone who missed it:
View attachment 85151View attachment 85152
Is this the longest class 153 formation ever? It's certainly the longest I've come across.

It's also technically longer then the maximum permitted formation of 153s in service. 10 cab maximum for Sprinters, so if only 153s are in the formation then it shouldn't be more then 5. I assume there is dispensation for ECS runs however.

 

[crosscity]

Thanks, that's pretty much my understanding as well.
Here's the 6 unit for action at Selly Oak, for anyone who missed it:
View attachment 85151View attachment 85152
Is this the longest class 153 formation ever? It's certainly the longest I've come across.

Those are great photosW, and hold on to them as I've never heard of anything similar.

 

[ABB125]

It's also technically longer then the maximum permitted formation of 153s in service. 10 cab maximum for Sprinters, so if only 153s are in the formation then it shouldn't be more then 5. I assume there is dispensation for ECS runs however.

That's interesting, what's the reason for the 10 cab limit?

Those are great photosW, and hold on to them as I've never heard of anything similar.

Thanks - it's certainly one of the most unusual workings I've got pictures of, if not the most interesting from an enthusiast point if view!

 

[craigybagel]

That's interesting, what's the reason for the 10 cab limit?

I'm open to correction, but I believe the voltage drops too low if the train control wiring has to pass through too many cabs.

 

[warwickshire]

Possibly the COVID lockdown in March

Passengers runs yes March the 20th 2020. However ecs no. Until Friday the 26th September to keep them in running service and also to maintain fluid levels and to save on exams. And due to warm storage which expired around 30th September. In the late evenings each way between Tyseley and Worcester shrub Hill via Birmingham snow Hill, and vice versa on the empty coaching stock moves as required every now and then, ie a 153 unit coupled up with other units, or sometimes x2 153 units with other units, or even 153 on its own would be empty coaching stock moves only. In order to keep them serviceable despite warm store. Driver traction knowledge and also for a possible return for the 07th September 2020 timetable covid upgrade which didn't happen. Also note due to this nature off as required some nights they ran, some nights they didn't. Also more often than not tyseley had either 6 or 7 153 in yard. Whereas at Worcester shrub Hill had the balance either one or two in yard.

 

[ABB125]

I'm open to correction, but I believe the voltage drops too low if the train control wiring has to pass through too many cabs.

Thanks

 

[158757]

It's also technically longer then the maximum permitted formation of 153s in service. 10 cab maximum for Sprinters, so if only 153s are in the formation then it shouldn't be more then 5. I assume there is dispensation for ECS runs however.

It's 12 cabs for sprinters and 8 for pacers, I believe however 158 middle cars count as a "cab" for this purpose (and not just the hybrid ones GWR have).

 

[ABB125]

It's 12 cabs for sprinters and 8 for pacers, I believe however 158 middle cars count as a "cab" for this purpose (and not just the hybrid ones GWR have).

Presumably because 3-car class 158s are the only 3-car sprinters (other than 150001/002)?\

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Presumably because 3-car class 158s are the only 3-car sprinters (other than 150001/002)?\

and 159s

 

[Rhydgaled]

It's 12 cabs for sprinters and 8 for pacers, I believe however 158 middle cars count as a "cab" for this purpose (and not just the hybrid ones GWR have).

So the 6-car 153 formation was right on the limit, but not over the limit as suggested above. Regarding the centre cars, I assume the 159 centre cars count as well (since they are basically 158s) and wonder if the middle coach on the 150/0 units also counts as a 'cab'. What else has BSI couplers and more than 2 coaches? 170s and 172s?

 

[ABB125]

and 159s

Oops: I forgot those!

So the 6-car 153 formation was right on the limit, but not over the limit as suggested above. Regarding the centre cars, I assume the 159 centre cars count as well (since they are basically 158s) and wonder if the middle coach on the 150/0 units also counts as a 'cab'. What else has BSI couplers and more than 2 coaches? 170s and 172s?

Perhaps, given that class 170s are at least a decade newer than sprinters, and class 172s over two decades newer, they have more modern electronics which don't result in as much voltage drop?

 

[craigybagel]

It's 12 cabs for sprinters and 8 for pacers, I believe however 158 middle cars count as a "cab" for this purpose (and not just the hybrid ones GWR have).

Interesting, I was taught 10 for Sprinters and 8 for Pacers. The one time I (inadvertently) tried it with 11 cabs I ended up tripping some MCBs - but thankfully it was a very short ECS move anyway.

 

[Eccles1983]

I was told 12 sprinters, unless you have a 153 then it's 10. 14x was always 8.

 

[Bob Price]

A 158 left Crewe today for Wabtec. Got as far as Sandbach and came back to Crewe, only to head out a bit later. Odd

 

[JakeMurphy]

A 158 left Crewe today for Wabtec. Got as far as Sandbach and came back to Crewe, only to head out a bit later. Odd

158831

 

[PHILIPE]

Currently en route from Store at Ely Papworth Sidings to Canton, EMR 153372 and 153382

www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K00227/2020-11-05/detailed

They are both ex GWR prior to transfer to EMR. There was a hint in Post #691

 

[Cardiff123]

Currently en route from Store at Ely Papworth Sidings to Canton, EMR 153372 and 153382

www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K00227/2020-11-05/detailed

They are both ex GWR prior to transfer to EMR. There was a hint in Post #691

So 153s with EMT red/yellow/orange livery and FGW pink & blue interiors? Slap TFW logo & lettering on the side as has been done with the current 'temporary' EMT 153s and that's a right mash-up!