Faulty 142 at Chester
 

A broken down Northern 142 was apparently left at Chester by Northern Rail staff . Arriva Trains Wales staff wanted to move the train but had no idea how to move it as they are only trained to use 156s, 158s and 175s.

I know I go on and on about it, but such is the ridiculous nature of our privatised railway. :mad:

142's used to be common at Chester, so i wouldn't have thought it would be that much of a problem - unless the unit had seized....:D

However, 142's at Chester are not my favourite topic of conversation at present. Some of you will have seen my recent plea for class 142 detail photographs. On wednesday 1 August, i was on the 19:48 from Rhyl (cl. 175 - not good for my mood at the best of times...), through to Birmingham. On arrival at Chester, we pulled up opposite a 142 in the (crewe) bay. I quickly grabbed my camera & was all set for a quick photo session when one of the train crew approached & said we had to change units. So i had to reboard sans-pics & grab my luggage & travelling companions & quickly make my way to the other end of the station for a replacement cl. 158. My language at the time was NOT choice!:mad: :mad: :mad:

Although I have never been denied a 142 photo, I have had to change trains mid-journey quite a few times at Chester. The Alstom maintenance depot is at Chester and faulty 175's are often taken out of service as they pass through if a spare unit is available.
Personally I quite like the 175's but they are notoriously unreliable.

A few years ago we rode 175's between Windermere and Oxenholme, and thought they were very good. (If unreliable).

Arriva Wales always seem to be transferring passengers between trains which are shown in the timetables as direct trains.

I wouldn't complain if a 175 turned up for a train I was using unless they were using the dodgy automated PA system. I'm use to 142s, 150s and ocassional 156s on Northern servies and 158s and 175s on Transpennines Express services so a 175 is better than what I'm used to.