Cardiff to Holyhead service

[whole diary]

[Jez]

Yes thats fine, Grahame   

I was going to say that was definitely off topic.  But it was a South Wales local journey.

LOL^▸ (laughing out loud)! Not by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) though 

[swlines]

Should be a 175 - afaik it forms the 1320 off Holyhead which was a 175 earlier today.

Dont think the 9.20 from Cardiff will be the 13.20 back from Holyhead? According to my print out from ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) the train wont get me into Chester until 12.28 and I think its at least another hour and half to Holyhead.   CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains) to Holyhead is one of ATW's longest journey's probabaly second to the Milford Haven/Carmarthen-Manchester services so really should get the best trains.

For the record though I do not mind 158's at all. They remind me of Wales and West and Wessex trains (cant think why  ) so I like them    So really I wouldnt be bothered if it was a 175 or 158, I just wondered.

Sorry I really can't read my own computer screen at the moment ... 

I clarified the booked unit diagram on a railway computer system tonight and it's showing it's booked a 3 coach 175. When I passed it on the 13.20 I don't think any 158s passed us except for one at Bangor.

[Jez]

Should be a 175 - afaik it forms the 1320 off Holyhead which was a 175 earlier today.

Dont think the 9.20 from Cardiff will be the 13.20 back from Holyhead? According to my print out from ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) the train wont get me into Chester until 12.28 and I think its at least another hour and half to Holyhead.   CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains) to Holyhead is one of ATW's longest journey's probabaly second to the Milford Haven/Carmarthen-Manchester services so really should get the best trains.

For the record though I do not mind 158's at all. They remind me of Wales and West and Wessex trains (cant think why  ) so I like them    So really I wouldnt be bothered if it was a 175 or 158, I just wondered.

Sorry I really can't read my own computer screen at the moment ... 

I clarified the booked unit diagram on a railway computer system tonight and it's showing it's booked a 3 coach 175. When I passed it on the 13.20 I don't think any 158s passed us except for one at Bangor.

Thanks for the info.

[Jez]

Did this journey today between Cardiff and Chester. It was a 158 out (0920 from CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains)) and a 175 back (1820 from Chester).  So yes looks like a mix of both 158 and 175.

I actually like both 158 and 175 but I think 175 are more comfortable obviously as they are newer.

[Conner]

Did this journey today between Cardiff and Chester. It was a 158 out (0920 from CDF^» (Cardiff - next trains)) and a 175 back (1820 from Chester).  So yes looks like a mix of both 158 and 175.

I actually like both 158 and 175 but I think 175 are more comfortable obviously as they are newer.

I would say I would perfer a FGW^▸ (First Great Western) 158. ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) 158's have Chapman uncomfortable seats and if it had original seats it would have been more comfortable.

[Jez]

Yes this ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) 158 had the Wales/West blue seats. Some ATW trains have new seat covers though.

Quite surprised to see it was a 175 back as I expected another 158, but it was a lot more comfortable!

[Lee]

The new Arriva Trains Wales North South Premier Service will run from 15 December between Holyhead and Cardiff (links below.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7659142.stm

http://www.transportbriefing.co.uk/story.php?id=5242

http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2008/10/08/new-faster-rail-service-for-north-wales-55578-21992574/

But Clwyd South AM Karen Sinclair protested because the service, cutting the five-hour journey by 30 minutes, will not link directly to Wrexham.

The Welsh Assembly Government has also announced a new half-hourly Cardiff to Merthyr Tydfil service for May 2009.

The Holyhead-Cardiff service will arrive in the capital by 1000 BST each day and depart at 1620 BST.   

Ms Sinclair said the assembly government should rethink its plans, which she called "bad news for my constituents".

Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones said the new north-south service would mean passengers would be able to travel between Bangor and Cardiff in under four hours.

Initially, the new service will be routed via Crewe rather than Wrexham as Network Rail is currently unable to offer a path from Holyhead to Cardiff via the town which will arrive in the capital before 1000 BST.

He added that the assembly government would seek to develop the route at the earliest opportunity, including routing via Wrexham and examining the case for an early south-north return service.

The new Cardiff to Merthyr line is timetabled to start in May next year following the completion of improvements and signalling at Abercynon and on the Merthyr branch line.

Mr Jones said the route was great news for the valleys and underlined the assembly government's commitment to making the whole region an attractive location for people to live and work in.

[signalandtelegraph]

According to Rail magazine  (Issue 602) they'll be using the Arriva Mk2^▸ (Mark 2 coach)'s that were in store at Long Marston and they are now being refurbished at Eastleigh.  The service is going to hauled by Virgin 57/3 Thunderbirds and crew training has already started.

[Btline]

At last, a few of the 200 coaches at Long Marston will be used!

[willc]

According to Rail magazine  (Issue 602) they'll be using the Arriva Mk2^▸ (Mark 2 coach)'s that were in store at Long Marston and they are now being refurbished at Eastleigh.  The service is going to hauled by Virgin 57/3 Thunderbirds and crew training has already started.

The North Wales Coast Railway site has pictures of the driver training trips in its noticeboard update for October 14, using assorted Cargo-D Mk2 and Mk3 coaches. The site suggests that ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) may include a Mk3 buffet in the formation, which would also be a way to provide first class seating - all the existing Arriva-liveried stock is standard class.

As for serving Wrexham, apart from problems getting a path on the single line, you would also need either a second loco to take over on reversal at Chester, or a DVT^‡(resolve) - maybe if they ask W&S^▸ (Wrexham and Shropshire (Open Access Operator)) nicely...

[Lee]

According to the link below, services will be formed of up to six carriages ^ one first class carriage, one restaurant car (cooked breakfast ^50  ) and four standard class vehicles.
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2008/11/03/north-wales-to-cardiff-express-criticised-55578-22169617/

The service is being criticised for being too costly and too slow, apparently.

[Btline]

Now, if they had some 180s....

[Chris from Nailsea]

(cooked breakfast ^50 ) ...
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2008/11/03/north-wales-to-cardiff-express-criticised-55578-22169617/

The service is being criticised for being too costly and too slow, apparently.

Not only that, Lee! :

A cooked breakfast will cost passengers ^50 on the new express train from North Wales to Cardiff, the Daily Post reveals today.  On the return journey to Rhyl, Bangor and Holyhead, passengers will have to pay a further ^50 for a three-course dinner.

No sign of a credit crunch in Wales, then?? 

[smokey]

(cooked breakfast ^50 ) ...
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2008/11/03/north-wales-to-cardiff-express-criticised-55578-22169617/

The service is being criticised for being too costly and too slow, apparently.

Not only that, Lee! :

A cooked breakfast will cost passengers ^50 on the new express train from North Wales to Cardiff, the Daily Post reveals today.  On the return journey to Rhyl, Bangor and Holyhead, passengers will have to pay a further ^50 for a three-course dinner.

No sign of a credit crunch in Wales, then?? 

There won't be much of a Credit Crunch in Wales (or Scotland), not with all that Lovely ENGLISH tax payers money the Welsh Assembley (Scottish Parliament) get given   

But then at least some of those colourful bits of paper with a picture of HRH Queen on, get spent on Railway schemes. 

[John R]

(cooked breakfast ^50 ) ...
http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2008/11/03/north-wales-to-cardiff-express-criticised-55578-22169617/

The service is being criticised for being too costly and too slow, apparently.

Not only that, Lee! :

A cooked breakfast will cost passengers ^50 on the new express train from North Wales to Cardiff, the Daily Post reveals today.  On the return journey to Rhyl, Bangor and Holyhead, passengers will have to pay a further ^50 for a three-course dinner.

No sign of a credit crunch in Wales, then?? 

A strange way of marketing it. Effectively buying an overpriced breakfast gets you access to 1st Class. As opposed to a ^50 supplement for 1st Class with a brekkie thrown in free.

If you live in Anglesey then the flight will always be more attractive, but the further east along the coast you live then by the time you drive to Valley the two options become more comparable.