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From: http://www.dailypost.co.uk (http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/2007/12/04/bigger-trains-to-give-first-class-cardiff-service-55578-20198816/)

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FASTER and longer trains with first class carriages could be operating rail services between North Wales and Cardiff within a few weeks, the Daily Post can reveal.

Sources at Arriva Trains Wales say the firm is close to agreeing a deal with a train leasing company to bring up to nine Class 180 Adelante trains into service on Welsh lines.

Built by Alstom in Birmingham, they have five carriages which include a first class section.

The diesel trains, capable of 125mph, will be limited to just 90mph on the North Wales line. Currently three carriage Class 175 trains are used on Holyhead to Cardiff routes which run every two hours on weekdays.

A railway insider said: "To operate the current level of services more rolling stock is needed. Two of the Class 158s are off to France imminently for ERTMS (European Rail Traffic Management System) equipment to be installed.

"The repainting programme for 175s has started and will continue all next year with at least one unit out of service every week."

[...]

Arriva Trains Wales spokeswoman Maggie Abett said: "No firm decision has been taken yet regarding temporary replacements for 158s that may be needed for the Ertms project. A number of options are under consideration."

It had been thought locomotives used to haul the Royal train would be used on passenger services along the North Wales main line, temporarily at least.

The powerful Class 67 locomotives were to be used on services between Manchester and Holyhead while diesel units are adapted for a new signalling system.

Training of drivers and guards has taken place in North Wales and this is set to continue "just in case".

Arriva Trains Wales are piloting the ERTMS on the Cambrian lines in mid Wales and the Class 158 diesel units are being taken, two at a time, to France for modification work.

The system is designed to save lives by stopping trains passing red lights and allow trains to run at higher speeds and closer together on single track lines.

nice to see ATW making yet further vast improvements to the north > south services!

If ATW take on the Adelantes does that mean we can have some of our 158s back please?

ATW never took any 158's off us.

infact we gained 158's off them with a swap for 150's iirc

I should have made that clearer. if ATW take on the 180s, that will free up some of their 175s which in turn could free up some 158s which FGW could lease. I dont recall FGW ever taking ATW 158s as there were never any in ATW old and new livery running on the rails after ATW stopped heading down to Cornwall. I think Wessex may have taken two of ATW's 158s to cover the Cornish part of their routes that were stopped a few years back.

Some FGW 150s went over to ATW last December but I don't think any came over in return.

doubt thats going to happen though, as they'll use it to strengthen services elsewhere, such as some of the stupidly busy routes on the valleys, or the central wales services that leave a lot to be desired.  Or put on the Ebbw vale line when it finally opens to traffic next summer.

The WAG would have a fit if they got rid of the best rolling stock wales has had for years

The thread title made me think of Portsmouth to Cardiff :(

Yes thats true, would have been good to see them operate on this line.

Whilst I suspect the Welsh Assembly will continue their support of increased capacity in Wales, 45 additional coaches would be a pretty expensive enhancement. And long distance stock isn't cleared for the Valley Lines, where much of the pressure is (although that's just about to be relieved with a significant influx of stock announced last year.) So I think it likely that some units will become available. Let's hope that FGW snap them up before any other TOC get in first. 

god forbid we could even get rid of the 142's on the valley lines, replace them with the 150's ATW have, then significantly enhance the capacity in central wales and cascade the 142's and send then FGW's way :P

...or use the excess 175's on the heart of wales line and give it a solid hourly service instead of the 4 trains a day it currently gets in each direction.

believe me your FGW commuters have it lucky. After all, its still quicker to drive via england to get to north wales than actually driving up the country.

The links below may interest you.
http://www.sewta.gov.uk/PDF/Final_Report.pdf

http://www.sewta.gov.uk/PDF/SewtaPIP.pdf