FNW and Wales

jjules · Post by **jjules** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:47 am

First NW are trying to make their mark in Wales!

I read today that they are sending some 175s down for use with Arriva Trains Wales (or whatever they're calling it), after they have started removing their logos. Their horrid livery will still stand for a while though...

How dare they send the ugly 175s down to beautiful Wales!

Post by **martinhodgson** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 5:28 pm

So thats why the logos have vanished on some. I wondered.

mikey2001 · Post by **mikey2001** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 6:16 pm

The announcements at Piccadilly say 'Wales and Borders train to Llandudno' and then a 175 turns up, which at first I thought was bizarre. Then I noticed the FNW logos had been blanked off.

Post by **martinhodgson** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 6:25 pm

Yeah, but the 'blanked' trains are still seen on regular FNW services. I did see a poster at Lancaster saying their services were being taken over, I assume that W&W don't yet have enough trains and facilities and are therefore leaving FNW to run it for now.

thedarkness · Post by **thedarkness** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 6:42 pm

Whats a 175?

mikey2001 · Post by **mikey2001** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 6:44 pm

slipdigby · Post by **slipdigby** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 7:25 pm

The 175 fleet lease has been transferred to W&B along with Chester maintainance depot. The 175's for MIA - Windermere/Barrow/Blackpool service are being subleased back to fNW for the time being.

When fNW and ATN become northern and Transpennine, W&B (By then presumably Arriva Trains Wales) will continue to sublease several units to Transpennine for the Windermere/Barrow service which require 100mph timings, until the new Transpennine units appear in several years time. Blackpool which will by this point only be served by northern will have to do with the tatty 158's, and worse.

As a regular commuter on this route, i'm not massively amused, nor impressed by the frankly . plans executed by the "SRA".

I'll leave it at that
Slip

Post by **martinhodgson** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 8:41 pm

So the 175s aren't actually owned by FNW?

Here is one minus decals

Click the image to zoom in

thedarkness · Post by **thedarkness** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 9:56 pm

They dont look too bad

mikey2001 · Post by **mikey2001** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:11 pm

They are not the best looking, but are very comfortable and fairly quiet too.

nightbeaver911 · Post by **nightbeaver911** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:36 pm

IMO a better livery (sorry barbie lovers) would do them a few favours.

Post by **martinhodgson** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 10:36 pm

Very nice between Lancaster and MAN (thats the airport

). Better than the 158s, or *shudder* 2 class 153's

thedarkness · Post by **thedarkness** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 11:05 pm

martinhodgson wrote:Very nice between Lancaster and MAN (thats the airport ). Better than the 158s, or *shudder* 2 class 153's

Shudder is surely warranted when a 142 'pulls' in

Post by **martinhodgson** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 11:06 pm

I haven't seen that before, I don't think FNW are stupid enough to put a 142 on for that service.

mikey2001 · Post by **mikey2001** » Wed Nov 12, 2003 11:13 pm

They do for the service between Lime Street and Manchester Airport though!