South Wales local services - Pembroke, Fishguard, Swanline, etc.

[whole diary]

[phile]

That explains it then. It just seemed odd as normally that service is run by a single 153.

Am I right in thinking the overnight fishguard is formed of 2x 153s, both off a pembroke Dock diagram the previous day whilst the third pembroke diagram goes back tp Cardiff on the 19xx off Carmarthen?

Then of the 2 x 153s on overnight fishguard one does the 0436 HOW and the other the 5.50 Pembroke and both end up back at Cardiff the next night.

Do 2 x 153s get stabled at Hereford overnight in order to form the early Hereford-Cardiff-Pembroke/Fishguard service? If so do they run empty or form a service up the evening before?

I just seen a 150 pass on the first Swansea-Manchester service (approx 0705 off Swansea) which should form the 1130 back from Manchester unless its swapped at Cardiff. I guess this is due to a 150 being in Carmarthen overnight in place of a 175 due to yesterdays problems. It would have been better to send the 150 on the first Carmarthen-Swansea-Swanline rather than to Manchester. Unless as I said they swap it at Cardiff if there is a 175 available.

The --1 50 Fishguard is 1X153 attaching another at Carmarthen which has worked 19 35 Swansea to Carmarthen.    Putting the 150 on first Swanline would have been as broad as it's long because you would have to put a 150 to Holyhead.

[Jez]

I thought that about the 0030 Cardiff-Hereford, but the magazine article didnt mention anything being stabled at Hereford overnight, but perhaps as its in service for most of the night period it doesnt count. It mentioned the overnight Fishguard being stabled at Fishguard tho, and thats only there a very short time.

I had forgotten the first Carmarthen-Swanline worked the 0920ish service to Holyhead. Did the 150 on the first Manchester do the full diagram today i.e 11.30 Manchester-Carmarthen and return working at 17xx ?

[Jez]

Todays 1710 Swanline was formed of a 158.

[anthony215]

Todays 1710 Swanline was formed of a 158.

Well those commuters got a treat

[Jez]

Todays 1710 Swanline was formed of a 158.

Well those commuters got a treat

lol yes, could even charge their phones, yet if going all the way to Manchester on the 1655 (175) they couldnt!

Today I think it was 2 x153s tho couldnt see it properly, it was definately 2 sets. They seem to be putting a lot of effort into making sure he 1710 isnt a single 153 which it always used to be a year or so ago.

[anthony215]

Todays 1710 Swanline was formed of a 158.

Well those commuters got a treat

lol yes, could even charge their phones, yet if going all the way to Manchester on the 1655 (175) they couldnt!

Today I think it was 2 x153s tho couldnt see it properly, it was definately 2 sets. They seem to be putting a lot of effort into making sure he 1710 isnt a single 153 which it always used to be a year or so ago.

All we need now is for the loco hauled rake to make an appearance on teh 17:10 Swansea - Cardiff service

[phile]

17 10 is booked 150 now.   We should be thankful for small mercies rather than the previous single 153.

[Jez]

The 1310 today was 2 x 153s which I assume started as the overnight fishguard and 0436 HOW. Ive noticed a few multiple sets this week on Swanline/Pemb Dock etc either 2 x 153s or a 153/pacer. I wonder if half term was something to do with it and they increased capacity.

Im not sure if they would need the loco hauled for the 1710 I think a 150 can cope.

[anthony215]

Confirmed tonight that the arriva trains wales class 121 has had its day and has been taken out of service by ATW^▸ (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company))).

I think Arriva have been forced to take this by the difficulty of getting parts for it especially with it being out of action a lot especially recently where it got back into service only to pack up again a few weeks later.

It does seem very likely it will be off to Chiltern

[Jez]

Its a shame but it was out of service more than it was in service.

I wonder whether a 153 or a pacer will now be booked for the Cardiff Bay train. A 153 might be difficult unless they replace one of the existing 153 diagrams with a 150 or pacer on a permanent basis.

[phile]

Probably nothing permanent until May Timetable now

[phile]

Has anybody heard how the new Fishguard services are these days in respect of loadings ?

[Jez]

Ive not heard about the Fishguard services. I have heard there will be an increase in services West of Swansea from the May timetable.  I have also heard that 2 of the swanlines will be extended to Newport, I assume to provide more through trains and extra capacity between Cardiff-Newport in the peak. Also Pembroke Dock services will be increased in capacity, whether this just means the usual Summer 2 cars on Saturdays and high summer weekdays or is something more permanent im not sure.

Has anyone seen any unusual movements of sets this week due to the closure of the line between Swansea and Llanelli? I know the majority of Manchester trains are being diverted via the district line so passengers in Neath and Swansea lose out to some extent. I also know some (possibly all) HOW services are starting at/terminating at Carmarthen.

[phile]

The increased capacity on the Pembroke Dock services may just be a bit of spin.   Because they are 1 carriage at this moment in time, they will be be increased but not until High Summer.   Just the impression they want to give that it could be from start of timetable.

[Jez]

Looking at the journey planners after the May Timetable changes, it looks like the 2 Swanline trains that are extended to Newport are the 2 that come off the Heart of Wales line i.e the 0911 and 1310 off Swansea. It looks like these will be turned around at Newport and form their usual return journeys from Cardiff (starting at Newport) with the 1514 off Cardiff then extending to Llanelli and then I assume forming the 1710 off Swansea back to Cardiff (but starting at Llanelli). Good use of stock as the sets usually sit in Cardiff and Swansea for the best part of an hour.

The 1510 of course goes onward to Newport and Chester anyway so its only the 1110 Swanline out of the off peaks that will terminate at Cardiff.

The 1710 Swanline will still trace back to the 0436 Heart of Wales service so I wonder if they will still swap the 153 at Cardiff (for a 150), with it now going through to Newport and looking like a through train back from Newport-Cardiff-Swansea-Llanelli might it be difficult to swap it?