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Author Topic: Quarter of Welsh trains out of service, TfW admits in apology  (Read 9540 times)
grahame
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« on: November 20, 2018, 13:01:44 »

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-46274738

Quote
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» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) 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.
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welshman
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« Reply #1 on: November 20, 2018, 15:03:05 »

Mainly wheel flats on 150s apparently.
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phile
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« Reply #2 on: November 20, 2018, 17:41:45 »

Mainly wheel flats on 150s apparently.

Thought it was mostly on Pacers
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welshman
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« Reply #3 on: November 20, 2018, 18:50:58 »

Whichever.  At least they've served up a detailed explanation.
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welshman
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« Reply #4 on: November 20, 2018, 18:53:18 »

Which says at the bottom
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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.
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Adrian
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« Reply #5 on: November 20, 2018, 19:59:48 »

Which says at the bottom
Quote
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.

Given that they have tread brakes that will help scrape slime off the wheels, I'd have thought Class 150s would be less susceptible to wheel flats than class 158s, 175s and the like - or do those already have wheel slip protection?  158s always seem to me the ones that have the most difficulty getting started on slippery rails.
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eightonedee
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« Reply #6 on: November 20, 2018, 21:49:58 »

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)?
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Western Pathfinder
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« Reply #7 on: November 20, 2018, 22:35:46 »

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)?
Spot on sir.
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WelshBluebird
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« Reply #8 on: November 21, 2018, 11:20:57 »

Is there a reason the problem is so much worse than previous years?
I am sure ATW (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC (Train Operating Company))) used to be affected by this too, but not to this extent surely?
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phile
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« Reply #9 on: November 21, 2018, 16:54:46 »

Mainly wheel flats on 150s apparently.

Thought it was mostly on Pacers

Assumed Pacers because they are usually more susceptible.   Last night there were 12/36 x 150s fit for traffic
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Adrian
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« Reply #10 on: November 21, 2018, 20:09:04 »

Is there a reason the problem is so much worse than previous years?
I am sure ATW (Arriva Trains Wales (former TOC (Train Operating Company))) used to be affected by this too, but not to this extent surely?

Inadequate management of lineside vegetation probably doesn't help.  I'm glad to see TFW have identified it as an issue to be addressed - but surely this is Network Rail's responsibility?
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grahame
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« Reply #11 on: November 22, 2018, 20:29:49 »

The story continues in the North Wales Pioneer

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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.
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phile
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« Reply #12 on: November 22, 2018, 21:25:39 »

The story continues in the North Wales Pioneer

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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.

Or as Ken Skates, Minister responsible for transport, has described it as "World Class" Grin Grin
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welshman
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« Reply #13 on: November 23, 2018, 18:05:35 »

Today TfW have sent out an email saying

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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
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Adrian
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« Reply #14 on: November 23, 2018, 19:39:08 »

Today TfW have sent out an email saying

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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


They did say it would take 3 weeks to get things back to near-normal, so I guess they don't want people to get their hopes up too soon.
Meanwhile short-forms have been getting worse again this week on GWR (Great Western Railway) on Cardiff - Taunton / Portsmouth
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