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More than a quarter of trains in Wales are currently out of service, rail bosses have admitted in a newspaper advert apologising to passengers.

Transport for Wales (TfW) and Network Rail took out the full page ads in several Welsh newspapers on Tuesday.
They said 36 out of Wales' 127 trains are currently under repair - which has caused several delays and cancellations in recent weeks.

Both TfW and Network Rail admitted that passengers "deserve better".

TfW commercial manager Colin Lea told BBC Radio Wales: "We knew the autumn would be difficult, especially with an old fleet but we didn't expect it to be this bad."

Officials said the problem had been caused by a combination of old trains as well as bad weather - with a number of trains damaged during Storm Callum in October.

Mainly wheel flats on 150s apparently.

2019: Fitment of wheel slip protection (WSP) on all Class 150 units before Autumn 2019. This
will dramatically reduce the number of flats on Class 150s, which is the most affected fleet.

Which says at the bottom

i'm no engineer, but flats are surely caused by wheels locking and sliding (i.e. failing to stop) rather than wheel spin (failing to start/make progress)?

Thought it was mostly on Pacers

Is there a reason the problem is so much worse than previous years?
I am sure ATW used to be affected by this too, but not to this extent surely?

Leader of the Welsh Conservative Party, Paul Davies AM, said Blaenau Ffestinog, Betws-y-coed and Llanrwst had had no trains all day on seven of the last 20 weekdays.

This comes following the launch of the new Transport for Wales (TfW) service last month which first minister, Carwyn Jones, said would provide the area with a high quality, affordable, and accessible train network.

Other issues were reported on the Chepstow and Caldicot to Newport and Cardiff line; and Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury line which saw Transport for Wales issue an apology in various Welsh newspapers.

The story continues in the North Wales Pioneer (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17241748.conwy-valley-line-commuters-left-entire-days-without-train-services/)

Regrettably, the current Transport for Wales train service disruption and timetable changes caused by weather damaged trains will continue throughout next week (Monday week commencing 26 November).
Ongoing issues associated with recent storms in combination with ageing trains have led to an unprecedented number, around 30%, of trains being out of service, and this has meant that reduced services are running across the network. Many timetabled services have been amended and priority given to the areas of greatest need. Continued problems resulting from damage to wheels caused by seasonal conditions means that a high number of trains are currently undergoing repair at Transport for Wales depots, where engineers are working around the clock.
We regret these significant changes and apologise for the inconvenience caused. Public safety is our first priority in the current circumstances. 
Revised timetables featuring many replacement bus services are in place on certain routes throughout the rail network and customers are strongly advised to check before they travel at www.tfwrail.wales .
The TfW Rail Team

Today TfW have sent out an email saying

The story continues in the North Wales Pioneer (https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/17241748.conwy-valley-line-commuters-left-entire-days-without-train-services/)

Who'd be a prophet, eh? 

The Wales and Borders Rail Service can be the best passenger rail service in the UK within the next 15 years

Rail companies and politicians have been urged to stop blaming each other and put customers first when services are delayed or cancelled in a report on this previous disruption - https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-politics-47631541