Great Western Coffee Shop

Noticed one of the Ebbw Vale diagrams seemed to be a 3 car 175 today - unusual but good idea for extra capacity on Saturdays.

I thinks its a first for a 3 carriage class 175 to be on the Ebbw Vale branch. I know 2 carriage class 158 &175's have been up there and this week we had the 1st class 153's use the branch.

I was travelling on the ex Portsmouth train into Cardiff and passed the Ebbw Vale train just outside of Cardiff, had to do a double take when I saw a 175 but sure enough the name on the screen was Ebbw Vale Parkway.

I guess during the week a 2 car 175 would be fine for Ebbw Vale but as it was a Saturday they used a 3 car as most of them are 2 x 150s on a Saturday. I wonder which Manchester-Milford diagram was reduced to 2 car to make up for the 175 on Ebbw Vale. I saw more 158's on the Manchesters yesterday than 175s.

Surprised to hear that a 153 was on Ebbw Vale tho, thought they didnt do Valley Lines?? I knew 175 were passed for Ebbw Vale.  We'll be seeing 175s on the other valley lines next !  ;)

 class 153's are cleared for certain parts of the valley lines network like the class 158 & 175's

There was a  article  in one of the railway magazines a few years ago shortly after the clas 175's were  came to south wales where a 3 carriage class 175 was run up to Rhymney  as part of guage clearance or something if i remember ( The article did have a shot of the unit at cardiff queen street)

 This week was the 1st time the class 153's have been on the ebbw vale line, now all we need is the class 57 & MK2 and the class 121 ( which hasnt been out for a bit so i thinks its had it, maybe ATW should get a parry people mover to allow the unit which has been covering the class 121 to provide capacity elsewhere)

Ive never seen a 175 in Cardiff Queen Street. I guess its useful for them to be passed for some valley lines but i wouldnt expect to see them on valleys or Ebbw Vale much as they are more useful for the long distance services.

Is the 121 the Cardiff Bay car? Is a pacer covering that currently?

Was a 153 last week. Driver told me the Bubble Car was awaiting spares.