First revenue run to Manchester, the 07.49 from Crewe, arrives at Stockport, 5 July.
 

Return to the Class 175 main page or the Chronicle Pt 1 10/99-2/2000

Compiled by Charlie Hulme with much help from Tony Miles, John Murray, Tim Rogers, Dave Sallery , Tony Flusk,  Rod Fairley, Rob York, Tony Johnson, Nick Gurney, Tim Brawn and Alstom PLC..

Last update 29 June 2000 - All contributions welcome at charlie@dweb.u-net.com

Latest entries first:

June 2000May 2000 April 2000 March 2000

A two car 175 has less seats than a 2-car 158, and definitely less than a 4-car 309 .... Stockport, 5 July

July 2000

By 5 July,  175s could be seen in traffic on a regular basis, with 003 and 005 working separate duties and others due to appear soon, so this page reaches something of a natural ending. Further reports relating to the North Wales coast line will be found on the North Wales Coast Notice Board or on the Main Class 175 page.  Thanks to all who have helped with this Chronicle.

June 2000

Situation Report 29 June: kindly provided by Tm Brawn of First North Western

001/002 awaiting modifications
003/ 005 Tests 29-30 June service Saturday onwards if multiple-working tests are satisfactory.
006 offered for purchase shortly then to Holyhead for driver training
007 offered for purchase next week then straight into traffic on 06.24 HHd - Bhm
diag
008  .... ?
009 will arrive from thw Washwood Heath factory on Friday night 30 June.
010 In short term storage at the Eurostar depot, Longsight, Manchester
105 - as 010.

Two insider's pictures of the filming for the  FNW television commercial at Chester.

June 22 notes:

First North Western were finally able to run a timetabled passenger train with 175 003 and 005 on Tuesday 20 June at 15.04 from Chester to Crewe, taking over from the 13.21 from Holyhead at Chester.

The new units are being tried out on various public workings. On 22 June 175005/003 on 11:54 Holyhead Crewe left on time but failed at Holywell Junction. Arrived Chester 13 minutes late and cancelled. All on to 158 to Crewe, arrival 16 down. Problems are being experienced with the on-board software, and also with the multiple-working connections between units. Although testing and training has been in progress for months, a safety case for running in pairs has only just been obtained, and FNW management are keen to run them in pairs initially in case of any problems.

Note: Current plan for Saturday 24 June involves substituting for the Class 37-hauled set on the diagram which begins at 07:06 from Chester. Monday 26 June, on the other hand, may see them tried out on the 07.51 Crewe - Manchester 'club train.' - 22 June

Newcomer 175 010 engaged in catering trolley training. Chester 16 June. Picture Nick Gurney

The plan (revised) - status as of June 19

The Plan as described below remains in force, but nothing happened on 20 June ... the principal problem seems to be that financial arrangements still have not been concluded. Bizarrely, FNW find themselves waiting for permission from a bank before they can carry passengers. However, another small problem arose on 18 June while making test runs with 175 003/005 in multiple as intended to be used in traffic. Troubles arose with the multliple-working systems, resulting in the test train 'limping back to Chester' as our contributor Nick Gurney puts it.

As a result, as a temporary expedient to get something going, it may be decided to put one unit into traffic on the Chester - Crewe shuttle service. Thanks to Tony Miles for the information flow.

"The Plan" (as of June 11)

The following was supplied to us by FNW, and represents their current hopes and aspirations for the introduction of the new trains: if 175s do not become available for traffic, then it's rethink time again.

Possibly 14 or 15 June, but more likely Monday 20th June 175 003 and 005 (running in multiple) are earmarked to replace a Class 158 on the diagram which starts at 06.24 Chester - Birmingham, then 08.07 Birmingham - Holyhead etc. This will relieve the pressure on the small fleet of 158s.

The next diagrams to go over will be 2 more 158 diagrams on the Birmingham runs, tentatively from 27 June, further reducing pressure on the Newton Heath Fleet. To achieve this will  require a total of 5 175, 4 for traffic and a spare: likely to be 003/005/006/007/008.

Mid-July: On acceptance of the 6th & 7th units, inroads will be made into the loco-hauled trains. The  07.48 Holyhead - Crewe 06.24 Holyhead  - Birmingham (units will come as a 4 car ecs from Chester to Holyhead, and then split), 10.07 Birmingham  - Holyhead (will attach to make 4 cars at Crewe ),  13.23 Holyhead - Manchester  , 17.19 Manchester - Llandudno, 19.54 Llandudno - Manchester, 22.55 Manchester - Chester will become 175's. [The conductors and trolley staff are going to love these  2 x 2-car trains ... C.H.]

Early August:  8th & 9th units will go to Manchester Victoria for driver training.

Mid-August: 10th & 11th units will replace 2 more 156/158 diagrams (to be decided.) This would signal the end to the improvised Longsight 3 car class 101 sets units and the cascade of 158's to Merseyside and 150's to East Manchetser could then begin.

End of August: Units 12 - 16 should be accepted. This will signal the end to locomotive haulage
as a daily occurence, although the Sunday loco-hauled boat train will continue for some time.

9 June: Another VIP trip

Which one of these trains is the most interesting? Manchester, 9 June.

Friday 9 June saw Rail Regulator Tom Winsor visiting Manchester, to be met by a deputation of City Councillors with a placard protesting that the GNER full fare from Leeds to London is £50 less than Virgin's fare from Manchester to London. 175 003 was sent to Manchester Piccadilly in the afternoon so Mr W. could have a look, although when we tried for a picture at 16.00 it was lurking in Platform 12 behind the 16.17 to Hazel Grove, as the picture above shows. First North Weestern seem very reticent to let Joe Public have a look inside their new trains... obviously they don't want to spoil the surprise!

A Visit to Old Dalby

Dave Coxon writes: 'On Friday 2 June 175 005 travelled from Chester to Old Dalby. It left Chester Depot at 08.30 and travelled via Crewe, WCML to Nuneaton then Wigston, Syston and Melton Station where it reversed onto the test track. After completion of its running it departed Melton at 16.50 and travelled the same route back arriving at Chester at 19.00.'

June 1 Status

We enter June 2000 with no 175s in public service and the weary old Class 37/4s still plying their trade along the North Wales Coast. The following notes by Tony Miles from his discussions with FNW management summarise all that can be revealed about the situation as of 1 June.

The argument is between Railtrack and Alstom - fNW say they are "Piggies in the middle" of someone else's argument! fNW are really struggling for rolling stock - and desperately want
the 175s in service. A meeting to try to resolve the issues is now being held on Monday 5 June.

Reports of problems with doors sticking under load due to flexing of the coach body are denied by fNW and Alstom.

Railtrack have "paid themselves" the cost of getting the North Wales line cleared by cutting back platforms etc. - readers may like to draw their own conclusions from the fact that Railtrack have failed to find anyone to pass the bill to! (need I say more?)

May 2000

175 008

This unit was seen by Mike Stone at Crewe on 24 May, on a test run from the Alstom works at Washwood Heath. 47 705 followed it in then stabled in station holding siding while unit went to Stafford and back.

On the film set - by our special correspondent

Embarrassing publicity pics to be taken ..... Chester 17 May. Picture by Ian Bowland

"175 003 was out on 23 May featuring in advert filming for FNW complete with extras, trainee conductors and harassed film crew (They are all harrassed, I am told) at Chester, Rhyl and Llandudno junction; out as 5T00 09.10 Chester to Llandudno Junction, and return as 5T01 to Chester following 1240 ex-Llandudno later on. A few dummy runs at Rhyl, and Chester, where Joe Public was roped in on the concourse along with Wilf and his bionic floor cleaning machine - look for a shot from the vestibule of the train. Of course, it may all be cut down to about 20 seconds or so; FNW aren't exactly flush with cash and not many people can receive Rockall Broadcasting Corporation in the north west so you may strain hard to spot the advert. All good fun, though."

Railtrack speak to the press

The following release was issued on 22 May:

Railtrack is today giving train operator First North Western the 'all clear' to run its new Coradia Class 175 trains on its principal North Wales routes.

Railtrack North West has had to carry out work at eight locations to ensure that the trains could be run safely. The survey work and physical alterations cost Railtrack in the region of £250,000 and involved shaving millimetres off the edges of platforms so that there was no risk of trains scraping them as they went through.

Railtrack has now fulfilled its undertaking to First North Western to carry out the alterations in time for the start of the new summer timetable on 28 May and is in discussion with the train operator about giving clearance for the Manchester to Blackpool, Barrow and Windermere routes.

Situation Report, May 12

Our request for 'informed comment' in the previous update has certainly borne fruit. It's flattering to know that this page is read within the industry as well as by railfans.

Loading-gauge restrictions: The only restrictions on class 175 units running between Crewe and Holyhead are that they are subject to a 30 mph speed restriction when passing the up platform at Prestatyn and can only use platform no.3 at Llandudno Junction, so not really much work is involved to allow introduction on Crewe/Birmingham - Holyhead services. The latest Railtrack documents are dated 19th April 2000 and some routes have been removed due to structure gauge or platform stepping distance restrictions. The units are no longer allowed between Chester East Junction and Manchester via Warrington, Mickle Trafford and Stockport Edgeley, Heaton Norris to Guide Bridge, Denton Junction to Newton Heath. This explains why none have been observed at Atlrincham; Driver training runs have simply substituted other, permitted destinations on an ad-hoc basis.

175 003 sets off on its trip to Manchester, 5 May. Picture Dave Skipsey. (For what's happening in the background, see Dave's Website.)
 

Miscellaneous rumours. Obstacle deflector problem: clearly, this has been resolved, as 175's would not be allowed out onto Railtrack metals without. Ability to detrain in the Conwy tubes: Again common sense should prevail here, as they wouldn't be allowed through with staff on board, and observation should show that other, older stock that is allowed through have doors that open outwards or could be buried inside a formation that precludes use of the end corridors for this task. Would FNW really leave itself open to litigation by carrying VIP's to Holyhead if this rumor was true?

Driver Training situation: FNW are just 'mopping up' the last few at Chester and are well into the smaller depot complements at Llandudno Junction and Holyhead. There more than enough drivers to start the service with, especially in view of the small number of sets likely to be available.

No 27 May start: Official

BBC North West TV news on 10 May featured the 175s. There was footage of 175001 on a single line test track and shots inside the new depot at Chester - the conclusion was that the 30-year-old stock would have to continue into the new timetable. However, Class 37 followers should not expect a whole summer's enjoyment: a few weeks extension at the most, we would estimate. - 12 May

Alstom and FNW held a staff open day at Chester depot on Saturday 6 May, when staff and their families were conducted around the new depot and included free refreshments and goodie bag for the children.

View from Old Dalby - By Dave Coxon

175 003 went to Old Dalby on 17th April to be photographed alongside the Cl 180 on 18 April - see the Railway press for pictures. It then ran on the test track for the week and left for Tyseley on Good Friday (21 April) for tyre turning (slippery test track!). It returned to Chester on 3rd May from Tyseley via Small Heath, Camp Hill, Landore St, Castle Bromwich then to Walsall and Wolverhampton to Stafford then WCML to Crewe then Chester. Unit 175 009 went from Washwood Heath to Chester under its own steam  on 10 May (I think but I'm not sure - can anyone confirm?) It got "stoned" at Wolverhampton,  breaking a few windows. Unit 175 007 went loco-hauled on 11 May (47 575) from Washwood Heath to Chester again via Walsall but avoiding Wolverhampton (via Portobello Jcn and Bushbury Jcn). it then went from Stafford via WCML to Crewe then to Chester arriving about 17.30.(Passing Deltic 55 019Royal Highland Fusiler  on WCML hauling two FGW Motorail vans southbound) .- 12 May

Situation Survey, 6 May 2000

There have not been many updates to this page in April, largely because not much at all has been happening, except 175 004 shuttling up and down occasionally with driver training runs, and some overnight testing runs up the West Coast Main Line to Stafford and back, usually with 175 003. This latter is, as of the beginning of May, the only one of the five at Chester depot actually allowed to carry passengers, and appears to be the 'showpiece' unit for VIP and Press runs. 003 was sent back down to the Old Dalby test track at the end of April, although it spent some time at Central Trains' Tyseley Depot in company with Class 170s (thanks to Stephen  Parascandolo for the report). It was present to pose for press pictures with the first of the 125 mph Class 180s for Great Western (which had to travel from the Alstom factory by road as this type does not yet have permission to run on Railtrack lines at all.) 003 returned to Chester on 3 May, spotted passing Stafford by Mike Stone at c. 17.30 that day.

175 001/2/5 have, to the best of our knowledge, not left Chester depot in April. 001 and 002 are, we believe, awaiting modifications to make them the same as the others.  005 has not officially been handed over from Alstom, although it recently gained its passenger certificate and should change ownership and be seen out and about shortly. 175 006 is planned for delivery to Chester on 7 May, with another unit (probably 008 as 007 awaits modification) due a few days later.

The pictures accompanying this article were taken on a low-key first visit to Manchester Piccadilly on 5 May, which gave FNW headquarters staff a chance to have a look. A big-wig from the Shadow Strategic Rail Authority was also spotted, perhaps there to consider how well the new trains would cope with Trans-Pennine duties if FirstGroup were to win the re-organised franchise.

The following press clipping (courtesy of  Ian Bowland) sums up the situation very reasonably:

NEW COMMUTER TRAINS MAY BE  LATE - from the Daily Post

Advanced commuter trains planned for North Wales this Summer could face delays, it emerged yesterday.  Brand new Class 175 trains are due to be introduced on Welsh routes by First North Western next month.  But the Company announced yesterday that the delivery of some of the 27 trains from the manufacturers Alstom could fall behind schedule.  Contingency plans had been drawn up to continue to use some old rolling stock 'for a limited period', a spokesman said.

Passenger watchdogs raised concern over speculation that the new trains may not be ready in time for the new timetables in May.  FNW trains has already been carrying out staff training on the first of the new fleet of trains to serve the network from Liverpool, Chester and Manchester to North Wales.

Clive Williams, secretary of the Rail Users Consultative Committee for Wales said that passengers in North Wales had been waiting for a long time for improved carriages.  'It is great to see the prospect of modern rolling stock which is a shot in the arm for the region' he said.  'But the company needs to be fully open and above board about the difficulties they are having'.

First North Western said yesterday that it faced a "major logistical exercise" over the May 2000 timetable changes and the introduction of 27 new trains to the network. "There are some issues surrounding the timetable for delivery of the new trains which First North Western is working hard to resolve".  It was impossible to estimate at this stage how many old trains would have to be retained for the summer it said. Railtrack has to issue a separate safety certificate to the train operator before the trains can carry passengers.  A certificate was issued to allow the empty running of trains for training in  the New Year.

"Final checks are being carried out by Railtrack to ensure that the trains enter passenger-carrying service from the start of the new timetable in May" a Railtrack spokesman said.
 

Some interesting documentation has come our way, which we reproduce below, with a few explanatory comments.
 

Railtrack North West Zone Weekly Operating Notice 06
(06/05/00-12/05/00) -  (info last amended 11/03/00)

Route Availability Of Class 175/0 DMU

Class 175/0 units are permitted to operate in unladen condition over the North West Zone lines shown below:-

Madeley [end of RTNWZ] - Crewe
Crewe - Chester North Jn.
Chester - Holyhead
Chester East Jn. - Northwich - Edgeley Jn.
Chester East Jn. - Acton Grange Jn. - Earlestown - Eccles - Ordsall Lane Jn.
Crewe - Manchester Piccadilly (including platforms 1-12) - Windsor Bridge Jn.
Wilmslow - Slade Lane Jn. (via Styal)
Heald Green South Jn. - Heald Green West Jn.
Manchester Airport - Heald Green North Jn.
Heaton Norris Jn. - Guide Bridge
Denton Jn. - Ashton Moss North Jn. - Miles Platting Jn. - Brewery Jn. - (Newton Heath TMD)

[Railtrack Midlands Zone documents state that Cl. 175s are allowed Proof House Jn. - Stafford - Madeley, prohibited Platforms 2 & 3 Stafford and  prohibited Platforms 4 & 5 Wolverhampton.]

In addition, Class 175/0 units are permitted to operate over the RTNWZ lines shown below for the purpose of carrying passengers:-

Madeley - Crewe
Crewe - Chester North jn.
Chester - Holyhead

The following restrictions must be observed:-

Crewe station - use of platforms 1 to 5, 7 and 8 prohibited
Chester station - use of platform 2 and parcels platform prohibited
Llandudno Jn. station - use of platforms 1 and 2 prohibited
Stockport station - use of platform 2a prohibited

Recovery Arrangements

A class 175 unit may be assisted by another class 175 unit of a locomotive fitted with a standard BR drawhook using an adaptor which has been successfully tested for the locomotive and Class 175 train being operated.

RAILTRACK MIDLANDS ZONE - EXTRACT FROM SECTIONAL APPENDIX

Working of Class 175 unit dynamic commissioning runs formed by

5T01 2145 EWD Q Chester - Stafford
5T02 2314 EWD Q Stafford - Crewe
5T03 0035 EWD Q Crewe - Stafford
5T04 0125 EWD Q Stafford - Crewe
5T05 0210 EWD Q Crewe - Stafford
5T06 0300 EWD Q Stafford - Crewe
5T07 0350 EWD Q Crewe - Stafford
5T08 0440 EWD Q Stafford - Chester

[Note Q means 'runs when required.]

Between the Zonal Boundary at Madeley at 148m 46ch and Stafford commencing Saturday 15 January and until further notice

Class 175 units are not permitted to use platform 3 at Stafford.

A First North Western Traction Inspector must accompany each Class 175 unit Special Dynamic Commissioning Test movement and must also ensure that all is in Order for the tests to be carried out before the commencement of each Special Dynamic Commissioning Test movement.  The required brake tests may take place at any signal displaying a green aspect.

The maximum permitted speed of the Special Dynamic Commissioning Test movement formed of a class 175 unit is 100mph.  All lower Permanent, Temporary or Emergency speed restrictions must be strictly observed.

If during a Special Dynamic Commissioning Test movement and should it be necessary to stop the Special Dynamic Commissioning Test Class 175 unit, or if a signal reverts to danger and the Special Test Class 175 unit is unable to stop, then testing must be suspended until the cause is established.

No deviation to the above method of working on Railtrack infrastructure is permissible without the explicit authority of the Railtrack Midlands Operations Safety Manager or the Duty Production Manager in Customer Service Control in Birmingham.

Amended 15/01/00

5Z19 2044 Q SX Washwood Heath, GEC Alstom to Chester L.M.D. transit movement

Between Park Lane Jn. and Ryecroft Jn.
Between Darlaston Jn. and Bushbury Jn.
Between Bushbury Jn. and Stafford

[ie the transit movement goes via thE long goods line to the north of Birmingham, Birmingham-bound (ish) through Walsall, and avoids Wolverhampton.  Testing is allowed once it gets onto the goods line, but not through Walsall station.]

Commencing Monday 17 January and until further notice

April 2000

 It is known that there are some problems, but we hear that a meeting between FNW and Alstom has dealt with most of the issues. Crew training to Altrincham and along the coast has continued, using mostly 175 004, whilst 003 seems to be reserved for public relations duties.

A 'launch' was held at Crewe station on 6 April:  the picture (from the Manchester Metro News) shows Transport Minister Lord Gus Macdonald 'cabbing' 175 003 and meeting FNW driver Jim Foxhall. The accompanying story says that they will 'gradually enter service over the next few months.'

March 2000

22 March:

Tony Johnson writes from Altrincham: 'Just when I thought the crew training on 175s had slowed down FNW have stepped up activity.  This week we have had 175s running to a timetable with two workings in the day (Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday so far).  First working arrives at Altrincham shortly after 10am and the second arrives shortly after 13.00.  Both return almost immediately.  Duties this week seem to be shared by 175 003 and 004.'

The April issue of Today's Railways magazine includes plans of the interiors of the Class 175 coaches, showing the generous legroom; a two-car 175 has just 118 fixed seats plus some folding ones. The gangway between the seats is just 400 mm wide - designed for a 368mm wide refreshment trolley which also has its own parking place at one end.

18 March:

Class 175 carried its first passengers on 18 March, albeit VIP guests, as part of the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Britannia Bridge over the Menai Strait. 175 003 worked the special from Bangor to Holyhead, where the passengers transferred to Virgin's steam special and 003 returned empty to Chester. John Lewis's picture above is from our picture report on the day's events. It was a close call for the 175, as all the units had been grounded the previous day due to a paperwork problem following a wheelset change. Authority to run came at 22.00 the previous night! Note that 003 has had its white running numbers on the ends replaced by black ones.

13 March:

Dave Coxon writes 'Unit 175 101 returned from Chester depot to the Severn Valley Railway, after a bogie change, on Wednesday 13th March leaving Chester depot at 13.40 and travelling via Crewe, WCML to Stafford, then to Bushbury Jn, Darlaston Jn, Walsall, Castle Bromwich, Landore St., Tyesley depot (Rev) then via GW to Kidderminster arriving about 15.30.'

We have received from Dave Coxon some interesting photos and notes relating to the time spent last year by 175 002 at the Old Dalby test track. Dave runs the  Old Dalby website which is well worth a visit.

Dave writes:  'The picture above shows 175 002  standing in the compound at the control centre on Monday 22nd November 1999 after arrival from Washwood Heath. Below,  under an interesting sky, 002 heads south through the curves between Plumtree and Stanton Tunnel on Wednesday 24th November 1999.

'The highly-advanced 2-car unit ran at up to 90 mile/h on the test track, which saw some of the fastest test running of recent times. The unit was put through its paces during December and January and left the test track for First North Western's Chester Depot on 27th January 2000.'
 

10 March:

Class 175 units are passed by Railtrack for the following additional routes: Chester to Holyhead; Chester to Manchester Piccadilly (Via Chat Moss). This is effective from 0001 Saturday 11th March. Pictures of any test runs very welcome.

The first three-car set, 175 101 was reported "in the bay at Crewe" 14:00, Friday 10 March, in "very shabby First livery." This is the train which has been based at the Severn Valley Railway for testing.

Appendix to the North Wales Coast Railway Noticeboard

Comments welcome at charlie@dweb.u-net.com