'14 new carriages' for ATW
 

See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/6961046.stm

" "From December this year Arriva Trains Wales takes delivery of an additional 18 carriages and the longer platforms will allow these to be added to our busiest commuter trains"

There are longer platforms being installed at Pontypridd, and presumably elsewhere... what class will these 18 new carriages be - more 150s?

I hear there's plenty of 142's going spare lol

Please not..

Perhaps when Arriva get their hands on the Cross-Country franchise they anticipate having two 5-car Voyagers and two 4-car Voyagers available for local services in South Wales.
Must go.........time for my medication.

the bigger platforms are so that more people can wait for the train - not bigger trains

Re: 142s
 

Apart from not having bogies there isn't much wrong with 142s. They have excellent lineside visibility, unlike 150s they are not claustrophobic and the entrance arrangement is excellent allowing easy access for wheelchair users with the fold away ramps.

I agree. I find the 142's quite good for shortish journeys on decent track. I don't generally like 150's either, although the refurbished ATW one I travelled on the other night was nice and bright BUT STILL very noisy.

I think theya re good for short journeys. Having done Chester-Manchester twice on 142s, there is something about this route which is really tires you out.

I love a 142 on the Sheffield - Barnsley line 75mph through Elsecar is awesome

Hi,

I can't comment on the ATW 150s as I've never rode on one. The 150s I've been on are the Northern ones. The engines were however noisy when they were brand new.

Maybe the Pacers could be replaced with a MK2 version along the lines of the class 143/144 with bogies and more reliable sliding doors as on the class 140?

Ah yes, it seems they are being refurbished.. was on a 142 the other day with brand new seats.

They are also refurbushing/repainting the 150s they recieved from FGW, 150253 has been fully repainted and reupholstered (though the seat tops are still pink, as are all the metal bars). I was out with a friend last wednesday, and we got the 09:22 train from Fernhill to Barry Island and the lighting was absolutely horrible on a 150 - it's really, really headache inducing and disorientating when you get off into the darkness.

I went to Swanage for a break the other week, the electric trains from southampton were like a dream compared to the DMUs of south wales!

I can't complain about the 153s they are using often on the city line, which I won't be using anymore due to moving somewhere else in Cardiff.. scania articulated buses to central station from now on!