Cardiff to Holyhead service

[whole diary]

[John R]

And another comment from me, if I'm permitted. Having just tried the Highland Airways online booking system, the next working date on which there is availability for both the morning and evening flights is next Thursday, ie a week away.  So whilst that shows that the service is well used, it also shows that there will obviously be potential passengers who are turned away, even if they do wish to fly.

[Jez]

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.

Apologies if this has been mentioned elsewhere but is it still a 2 hourly service to Holyhead? A the moment we only have 1 train per hour.

I wonder if there will ever be first class on the Cardiff-Manchester services too.

[Timmer]

I wonder if there will ever be first class on the Cardiff-Manchester services too.

I would suggest that there would be a market for it if ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former Train Operating Company)) did bring first class back to Cardiff-Manchester services.

[devon_metro]

Believe First Class will only on the loco hauled stock and will be formed of an ageing mk2 coach.

Unless they do a comprehensive refurb the interiors will probably look similar to this (standard class interior will be similar to that featured on the forthcoming Taunton-cardiff loco hauled for FGW^▸ (First Great Western):
First Class http://rollingstock.fotopic.net/p49462672.html
Standard http://rollingstock.fotopic.net/p49462643.html

Not exactly modern looking is it!!

[John R]

No, but look at all those tables. And I bet the seats are comfortable too. I'd much rather have that on the London service than what we've got.

[Btline]

Those coaches look nice! Although as they will be operated by ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former Train Operating Company)), they'll get dirty (I don't think ATW hire cleaners!).

[eightf48544]

It's very interesting how loco hauled is creeping back particularly on the longer distance non Inter City routes.

Holyhead Cardiff Shrewsbury London Now Tauton Bristol.

In a way it makes sense, if electrification is going to happen in  a few years. If you buy new DMUs^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) for such routes they won't get their full working life otr they'll spend most of their times under the wire.

Also coaches don't tend to break down as often as DMUs also they can refurbished several times. So you start a service with diesel loco and coaches, when the wires go up for part of the route you  put an electric loco on the front and change at the boundary. This was what BR^▸ (British Rail(ways)) did with he West Coast once the wires were up from Euston to Crewe everything was electric out of Euston with a loco change at Crewe if necessary.

The diesel IEP^▸ (Intercity Express Program / Project. This will offer more capacity on routes, save money, give a consistent and safe service and meet customer requirements. Intended to replace HSTs.) should be scrapped and sets of hauled coaches with DVT^▸ (Driving Van Trailer (carriage) or Deep Vein Thrombosis, depending on context) and splitable foramtions ordered plus lots of wires. Then Padd Plymouth can be, electric loco plus 10 to Plymouth and diesel plus 5 in Cornwall. Which would cost 20 million for 10 coaches and two locos as opposed to 30 million for a 10 coach diesel IEP.

[Timmer]

Funny how slowly but surely loco haulage is making a comeback. Beats a cramped DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) on a long distance journey anyday and that includes Voyagers, Meridians and whatever else they are called.

[G.Uard]

All very well, except that 'new' diesels will probably be approaching retirement before the wires reach Plymouth. Apart from government lack of will and arguable unsuitability of Plymouth as an electrification target, (which will keep the powers that be arguing for years), it took 11 years for the great cities of the north to be brought onto the sparks network from London and 18 for Glasgow to be connected.

In the interim, a few more LHS^▸ (Locomotive Hauled Stock) but with driving trailers rather than a dead loco on the end would IMO^▸ ('in my opinion'), be a decent solution.  Good for ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former Train Operating Company)).

[Timmer]

In the interim, a few more LHS^▸ (Locomotive Hauled Stock) but with driving trailers rather than a dead loco on the end would IMO^▸ ('in my opinion'), be a decent solution.  Good for ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former Train Operating Company)).

Yes I think its silly dragging a dead loco around all the time when there is an abundance of DVTs^▸ (Driving Van Trailer (carriage) or Deep Vein Thrombosis, depending on context) lying idle. I think the reason that they are only just starting to use DVTs with diesel locos is that modifications to rolling stock are required.

[Btline]

Lets get the 200 carriages out of Honeybourne before they get nicked.

[Jez]

Can anyone tell me if the 0720 Cardiff to Holyhead is usually a 158 or 175?

[devon_metro]

Believe all north-south services are booked for 175s.

[Jez]

Cheers.

Ive noticed all West Wales-Manchester services are now 175 but I still spot 158's doing some of the Holyhead services.

[Shazz]

Believe all north-south services are booked for 175s.

Nope.

still an abundance of 158's on the service.