Well would you believe it??

[whole diary]

[vacman]

I would say that if FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are to take some of the 150s away, then it is only fair that ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) receive some of the London Midland and London Overground 150s when the time comes in 2009, and FGW receive a smaller number to previously planned??.

The 3 car sprinters with London Midland would be ideal for ATW. 

Well, I'll say "I told you so" when it's all confirmed, it seems as though Andrew Haines is taking his job seriously, I'm sure we will still get the complement of 150/1's from LO and LM^▸ (London Midland - recent franchise), as for the 142's, I think many people who dissed them (the 142's)(me included in that one!!) should eat their words really, Devon services are more reliable than previous, more capacity and maybe now FGW should consider a refurb for them! I know the guys at Exeter depot always do the best they can with the limited resources they have at Exeter depot and this has paid dividends really.

I'm not denying that this will be very good news if true, but it must form part of a wider package if FGW's problems are to be truly resolved.

Only then can their critics made to "eat their words."

I was only referring to the 142 issue with eating words, have edited post accordingly.

[Lee]

I was only referring to the 142 issue with eating words, have edited post accordingly.

I was expressing a personal opinion, not making a moderation decision 

Due credit for your prediction appearing in Modern Railways, by the way.

[dog box]

I would say that if FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are to take some of the 150s away, then it is only fair that ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) receive some of the London Midland and London Overground 150s when the time comes in 2009, and FGW receive a smaller number to previously planned??.

The 3 car sprinters with London Midland would be ideal for ATW. 

I Can see what you are saying ...but NO fgw need the extra units they have been dumped on now twice with loss of 150s to ATW and 158s to Northern. its time for some other area to suffer.
Its tough in the dog eat dog world of stock allocation and whose to blame for that?
Local rail users should be pleased with this decision, just like those in the Northern rail area were only a month or two ago.
FGW were berated for the loss of the 158s and should be congratulated for getting hold of some suitable
 replacements ,i .....cant recall the passengers of Northern Land saying oh what are those poor folk going to do down south now.
Prehaps they can have a few of the 142s FGW Might want to take off lease, you might not like reading this but thats life untill the daft get a grip and actually get on with building NEW Stock

[Lee]

Local rail users should be pleased with this decision, just like those in the Northern rail area were only a month or two ago.

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) were berated for the loss of the 158s and should be congratulated for getting hold of some suitable replacements

I have asked FGW for absolute clarification on this, and if I get it, then I will congratulate them. My point was, while this will be very welcome, it will still leave some significant issues unresolved.

As I stated earlier in the topic, FGW now have an opportunity, based on proposals that are "here and now", to deal with an awful lot of these issues.

Lets have an official announcement from them that does that.

[devon_metro]

I agree with DanielP, why are we argueing over old knackered stock when the DafT should be ordering new stock!

I mean Cardiff is the capital of Wales for cry sake!!

Oh don't worry i'm sure they will find some cash on the north/midlands/scotland 

[Shazz]

I would say that if FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are to take some of the 150s away, then it is only fair that ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) receive some of the London Midland and London Overground 150s when the time comes in 2009, and FGW receive a smaller number to previously planned??.

The 3 car sprinters with London Midland would be ideal for ATW. 

I Can see what you are saying ...but NO fgw need the extra units they have been dumped on now twice with loss of 150s to ATW and 158s to Northern. its time for some other area to suffer.

And you think we're not suffering over here already?

Have you ever tryed getting on a peak hour valley lines service? Obviously not, as its a damn slight more overcrowded than most of the fgw ones.

i'm still highly doubtful that ATW will be that stupid not to renew leases on valley line units, when they have there own capacity problems.

[mada]

Aren't ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) still having the Adelantes then?

[DanielP]

I am desperately hoping that the reason why ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) is releasing the Central 150s is that they have a deal on 180s and that the cascaded stock will make up the shortfall.

I spoke to one of the ATW franchise managers last night, but he didn't want to chat about it!!!!

Lee Fletcher.....I look forward to hearing any clarification that you can get. I will try ATW.

Daniel

[Jim]

I would say that if FGW^▸ (First Great Western) are to take some of the 150s away, then it is only fair that ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) receive some of the London Midland and London Overground 150s when the time comes in 2009, and FGW receive a smaller number to previously planned??.

The 3 car sprinters with London Midland would be ideal for ATW. 

I Can see what you are saying ...but NO fgw need the extra units they have been dumped on now twice with loss of 150s to ATW and 158s to Northern. its time for some other area to suffer.

And you think we're not suffering over here already?

Have you ever tryed getting on a peak hour valley lines service? Obviously not, as its a damn slight more overcrowded than most of the fgw ones.

i'm still highly doubtful that ATW will be that stupid not to renew leases on valley line units, when they have there own capacity problems.

I might have to argue, as on the Valleys you don't get turned away from daytime services do you?

[DanielP]

Well, there is plenty of evidence that neither FGW^▸ (First Great Western) nor ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) have enough trains at various times in the day- remember we have the Maesteg 17:21 special with 75% overcrowding garaunteed! That is due to what was previously a Pad-Swan service turning into a Pad-Car service!! Even though my parents live in Southampton, I have declined to use the Car-Sou service because of the stock crisis (I need to travel with a kiddie and my wife is pregnant), so if I loose trains one way, I gain them another way!

I have dropped ATW an e-mail now requesting specific infromation or a general idea on what's going on. Don't know if they will reply or not.

Daniel

[Lee]

Lee Fletcher.....I look forward to hearing any clarification that you can get. I will try ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))).

Daniel

Thanks Daniel. We can but try.

[Jim]

Well, there is plenty of evidence that neither FGW^▸ (First Great Western) nor ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))) have enough trains at various times in the day- remember we have the Maesteg 17:21 special with 75% overcrowding garaunteed! That is due to what was previously a Pad-Swan service turning into a Pad-Car service!! Even though my parents live in Southampton, I have declined to use the Car-Sou service because of the stock crisis (I need to travel with a kiddie and my wife is pregnant), so if I loose trains one way, I gain them another way!

I have dropped ATW an e-mail now requesting specific infromation or a general idea on what's going on. Don't know if they will reply or not.

Daniel

Yes, but remember we have a 09.22 Portsmouth-Cardiff which on SATURDAYS turned away 6consecutive times at Trowbridge!

[DanielP]

Ha ha! We can have a "my service is more sh%t than yours" competition.

It would be long and probably quite tedious. Maybe they could televise it instead of late night roulette??

Daniel

PS- I remember when they thought it was appropriate to use a Hampshire Unit to on the Sou to Cardiff- imagine that! I think the service was at its most comfortable when it was a Class 33 + four or five mk1s.

[vacman]

Ha ha! We can have a "my service is more sh%t than yours" competition.

It would be long and probably quite tedious. Maybe they could televise it instead of late night roulette??

Daniel

PS- I remember when they thought it was appropriate to use a Hampshire Unit to on the Sou to Cardiff- imagine that! I think the service was at its most comfortable when it was a Class 33 + four or five mk1s.

Na, it was better about three years ago when the FO 12xx Bristol-Brighton was top and tailed propper loco's (31's!!!)

[Lee]

Lee Fletcher.....I look forward to hearing any clarification that you can get. I will try ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))).

Daniel

Thanks Daniel. We can but try.

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) source :

All I can say is that DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) have not signed off any rolling stock reallocation in our favour.