Extra stock for ATW

[whole diary]

[Lee]

Not *all* the 175s are used. One more is available from the December timetable change which cascades a 158 down.... you get the idea. (I believe there's a 150 diagramming change as well for the Maestag route.)

So they will use 150s on the Maesteg-Cheltenham route to free up the 158's for the Cambrian line?

What is the December timetable change?

The Arriva Trains Wales December 2008 Timetable can be found in the link below.
http://www.saveseverntunnel.co.uk/draft-timetable.htm

[vacman]

currently Most cambrian trains are 4 and even 6 cars during the summer, I'll bet with the increased frequency they will reduce trains to two cars (as you have twice as many trains running) and possibly 4 in summer, admittedly most of the trains are "splitters" two going to Pwllheli and two to aber.

[willc]

Found the following on another forum - National Express East Anglia is seeking tenders for at least eight new DMU^▸ (Diesel Multiple Unit) coaches, in 2 or 3-coach formation, to replace its 153s - it has five at the moment, I think - apparently because the next line for ERTMS^▸ (European Rail Traffic Management System.) after the Cambrian will be the East Suffolk Line and there's no space left to cram in the ERTMS kit on a 153. Delivery to NXEA^▸ (National Express East Anglia) is required in the first quarter of 2011.

I guess they're hoping to get a good price from Bombardier for an add-on to the 172 orders, as Siemens would be unlikely to revive the 185 production line for so few coaches, though it might be a different matter if the fourth coaches for TransPennine's sets are approved.

Buried in the small print is that they are also seeking indications of cost for orders of 40 and 75 coaches.

FGW^▸ (First Great Western) v East Midlands Trains for the cast-off 153s?? Or 156s and 170s as well, if NX go for a big order to replace their entire DMU fleet.

Full tender details are at http://www.publictenders.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=60562&topic=204&newlang=eng

[Lee]

Fewer than half of passengers who use the rail line between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury say they are happy with the number of trains running (link below.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/7567964.stm

A survey of customers using the Cambrian line by rail watchdog Passenger Focus showed 41% were satisfied with the services on offer.

More than 800 passengers were quizzed by the watchdog on how the network should be developed.

Results of the survey showed that as well as wanting more trains, in particular an hourly service on weekdays, customers wanted better punctuality.

[Westernchallenger]

The turnrounds at International are also eased as the diagrams on the Aberystwyth and Bangor / Holyhead routes will interwork

[Lee]

A decision on whether the assembly government will help fund an improved train service on the Cambrian Line will not be taken until infrastructure improvements are completed (link below.)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/7571047.stm