Arriva Trains Wales

[First Class]

RE: Arriva Trains Wales

(25/03/2013 20:23)507022 Wrote:  

(24/03/2013 23:08)First Class Wrote:  

(24/03/2013 20:42)507 mad Wrote:  just been announced that bubblecar 121032 has been withdrawn by arriva and will act as a donor for sister company chiltern railways. it has been withdrawn because of the lack of effort from the unit. the route will now be run a class 153.

It was withdrawn because it failed and the parts required to get it moving again cost too much money to make it worth fixing. As a result, the parts that are still serviceable will pass to Chiltern for their Aylesbury shuttle.

Whilst a Class 153 may be used, it is not set in stone. Class 142/143/150 units appear regularly on the very short line between Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Bay, (and a full ticket check still gets done!). The short line gets whatever is available, bar 158/175s.

The line would be absolutely ideal for a Class 139. Short, self contained, high frequency operation - and would free up a unit for the Valleys, or even further afield.

What's a class 139? Never heard of that one!

Only 3 exist, 2 of which are with London Midland in Stourbridge.

It is also known as a Parry People Mover.