TfW are in trouble with rolling stock
Last week was a gruesome week for TfW. We spent some time looking at the RealTimeTrains web pages for our route, and extracted the information from last weeks working. There are 56 services each day and 16 of these we would recognise as shuttles from Crewe to Shrewsbury and return. 40 are intercity train, with 16 ‘booked’ as Mk4 coach trains. The highest number of services operated by Mk4s was Friday when it was 5. Mostly it is only one or two each day. The replacement stock provided on these services is two car 150 or 2x153s. Generally 175s are […]
First running of loco hauled services
TfW have for the first time today operated the long promised loco hauled services from Cardiff to Manchester. These sets were seen on two trains to Manchester and two returning to Cardiff. These are timetabled for numerous daily services, and CASPA welcomes this role out. These services are similar to Gerald Cardiff to Holyhead services that have operated for some years. The coaches seen today are in dark blue livery. These were intended for the Grand Central service to (London to Blackpool) since abandoned. We can expect to see coaches in various liveries. The loco hauls the train to Manchester […]
Response to TfW on 2023 timetable
CASPA has now responded to the consultation on the future timetables. You can read the response here. There is plenty to say and a few crunch points that really are hurting on interchanges at Crewe. Please let us know if you find you have been abandoned by TfW when trains are cancelled or late. here
TfW consult on 2023 timetable changes
TfW are calling for input to the future timetables by early January. This is a bit tricky with the recent changes are not bedded in, having been introduced last week, and many days lost since with the strike days. But timetable changes take so long to organise the system has to start now. You can find the TfW proposed timetables details here. We have been trying to get a view on what the changes might be. Please do not rely on this for travel. It has been aligned with the current data on the TfW timetable site, but you should […]
Notes from TfW user meeting 7 Dec 22
Notes on meeting TfW 7 Dec 2022 This was a meeting for the whole of Wales and not just on our line. Class 175 are suffering maintenance issues so not as many are available as they would like. TfW have settled with the unions on the current pay round, but services are affected by other actions. TfW crews are now at or about establishment numbers and class 197 training is going well. Passenger demand (overall) morning peak is less, daytime is more and evening up a little. This is seen as a move from commuting to leisure use. There is […]
Notes on new timetable for December 2022
Updated 1st December TfW are due to introduce a new timetable from mid December 2022. This has now been released and you can download it here. We have been trying to get a view on what the changes are. Firstly they are planning to introduce Class 197 trains and also loco hauled mk4 coach stock on selected services. How much of this actually happens remains to be seen. This is always dependent on shake down of new stock, and training of crew. TfW are not alone in having troubles with this. We understand that shuttle will remain as Class 153s, […]
TfW trains stock
We see in March that TfW are running their new long distance trains class 197s on test and training runs between Crewe and Shrewsbury. This is very welcome. It was announced that the first 30 units of the fleet have been approved for passenger service by the Office of Rail and Road. There are a total of 77 units on order. The 14 units with first class seating are not included in the first batch. All this is very welcome news, but we should not get too excited. It is unlikely that we will see these units on our services […]
Transport for Wales (TfW) announce completion of refurbishing Class 175 trains.
Transport for Wales (TfW) has announced the completion of work to refurbish its fleet of Class 175 long-distance trains. These are the sets we usually see on the Cardiff Manchester services. It has been a feature of recent services that only 2 coach sets have been used on some services instead of the expected 3 coach sets. Train manufacturer Alstom has been working to refurbish the 27 trains at their Technology Centre in Widnes, Cheshire. This has been going on since 2019. The trains have also been rebranded on the outside with TfW’s grey and red livery. Internal work included […]
New rail timetable will be in place from 12 December
From Sunday 12 December, a new rail timetable will be in place across the TfW Wales and Borders network. While the times of many services will be unaffected, customers should still ensure they double check their departure, arrival and connection times. You can read about it here. https://news.tfw.wales/news/increase-in-train-services-from-december-2021 As usual with TfW they say nothing about our particular services between Crewe and Shrewsbury, and we have to check the timetables ourselves. We have asked TfW for the detail but they have not responded. Useless of course. But as far as we know there are no major changes. The one thing […]
Request stops
We are aware of problems on evening services northbound at Yorton, Prees and Wrenbury, when these have been request stops. The request to stop is no longer booked, and is no longer offered. TfW say this is because they have to use one door on a short platform. This happens on the Cambrian line and in N Wales too. However other companies have found a solution to this, but TfW appear unable to resolve this. Perhaps they should talk to Great Western, Anglian Trains or ScotRail. If thy can do it, why can’t TfW?