Tenby - then and now

[whole diary]

[bobm]

Took my first IET^▸ (Intercity Express Train) trip beyond Carmarthen on the Pembroke Coast Express yesterday.   While the scenery hasn't changed, the rolling stock has

June 2013



July 2019



June 2013



July 2019

[IndustryInsider]

Nice pictures, Bob.  Tenby is a lovely place to visit. 

I remember when the cynics were predicting the end of through trains from London to Pembroke when the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) arrived, due to them not being able to be cleared for the route.  That of course proved to be nonsense (along with other places such as Ledbury tunnel).

[bobm]

I had planned to go there last week but loss of signalling west of Swansea, albeit temporarily, meant the train was held and there was no certainty it would continue and even if it did, it would have severely restricted my time in Tenby so I got off at Swansea and took a bus to the coast at Caswell Bay.

The only snag with yesterday was the centre of Tenby was the finish line for a cycle race so getting about, on foot, took rather longer than usual due to the crowds.

Another point of note.   The train from London splits at Swansea with the rear five (as seen on arrival) continuing to Pembroke Dock.   However the screens at Newport and Cardiff (if not others further west) told people for West Wales to travel in the front five which caused a little confusion when we reached Swansea.   Those who had reserved seats were placed in the correct part of the train - although paper slips were used in place of the electronic displays.

[IndustryInsider]

The only snag with yesterday was the centre of Tenby was the finish line for a cycle race so getting about, on foot, took rather longer than usual due to the crowds.

My last visit there coincided with the Ironman event which meant the whole place was teeming with very fit people doing their last minute training preparations.  I mostly watched them from a pub with a nice pint!

Another point of note.   The train from London splits at Swansea with the rear five (as seen on arrival) continuing to Pembroke Dock.   However the screens at Newport and Cardiff (if not others further west) told people for West Wales to travel in the front five which caused a little confusion when we reached Swansea.   Those who had reserved seats were placed in the correct part of the train - although paper slips were used in place of the electronic displays.

Quite a few snags like that with the CIS^▸ (Customer Information System) which need addressing.  Something as simple as that can completely spoil a journey for someone!

[phile]

I had planned to go there last week but loss of signalling west of Swansea, albeit temporarily, meant the train was held and there was no certainty it would continue and even if it did, it would have severely restricted my time in Tenby so I got off at Swansea and took a bus to the coast at Caswell Bay.

The only snag with yesterday was the centre of Tenby was the finish line for a cycle race so getting about, on foot, took rather longer than usual due to the crowds.

Another point of note.   The train from London splits at Swansea with the rear five (as seen on arrival) continuing to Pembroke Dock.   However the screens at Newport and Cardiff (if not others further west) told people for West Wales to travel in the front five which caused a little confusion when we reached Swansea.   Those who had reserved seats were placed in the correct part of the train - although paper slips were used in place of the electronic displays.

The complications when a train reverses.   They were both right and wrong

[bobm]

The only snag with yesterday was the centre of Tenby was the finish line for a cycle race so getting about, on foot, took rather longer than usual due to the crowds.

My last visit there coincided with the Ironman event which meant the whole place was teeming with very fit people doing their last minute training preparations.  I mostly watched them from a pub with a nice pint!

You sound like a man after my own heart - I did exactly the same!

[Rhydgaled]

I remember when the cynics were predicting the end of through trains from London to Pembroke when the IETs^▸ (Intercity Express Train) arrived, due to them not being able to be cleared for the route.  That of course proved to be nonsense (along with other places such as Ledbury tunnel).

It wasn't just clearance and I'm not sure it was just cynics. The 'cannot be cleared' rumour may have been started by this RailNews article in which a former BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) Western Region chief civil engineer expressed doubt that the 800s would be able to fit through the tunnel.

Although the former chief civil engineer has been proved wrong, it is a fact that the Service Level Commitment in the franchise agreement stated that the through service to Pembroke Dock would be withdrawn. It was only announced that the service would continue when electrification to Swansea was cancelled. Now we get to the cynical bit: given that the class 800s can reach Pembroke after all, why was it initially taken out of the franchise?

[WSW Frome]

Presumably the original plan did not envisage many/any bi-modes making it to Swansea. Swansea services would have been typically rostered for full electrics, Remember we now have far more bi-modes due to DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) having to dig even deeper to use all the rolling stock.

[grahame]

Presumably the original plan did not envisage many/any bi-modes making it to Swansea. Swansea services would have been typically rostered for full electrics, Remember we now have far more bi-modes due to DfT^» (Department for Transport - about) having to dig even deeper to use all the rolling stock.

21 x 9 car units were intended to be pure electric.  Even with electrification to Swansea, bi-modes would have made it there for Carmarthen services.