A consultation has opened regarding modifications to Transport for Wales' fleet of Class 153 trains.
153307, 153318, 153331, 153352, 153968, 153972 could be converted into Active Travel Vehicles. All trains would be reclassified to Class 153/5s following the modifications.
Similar modifications have already been completed in Scotland, with ScotRail operating Class 153s with similar ‘Active Vehicle' modifications.
Once modified, the trains will operate on The Heart of Wales line between Swansea and Shrewsbury as well as other TfW routes.
The modification work will see the trains converted to include space for ten cycles, as well as increasing seating, additional tables and a general refurbishment.
The trains were originally built as 2-car Class 155s and were later converted into single-car Class 153s, but are no longer compliant with the accessibility requirements.
TfW says that they believe converting the Class 153s would be the most cost-effective way of improving the service on the Heart of Wales Line. New build trains are currently economically unviable.
The operator also says that cascading other fleets of trains would present other issues, including fleet availability and the fact that the Heart of Wales Line has a number of small stations.
The consultation is now open and will close on the 30th of April. The full consultation can be found here.
If Transport for Wales doesn’t want the Class 153s anymore and to get more extra trains. Then perhaps the Class 153s should go to Great Western Railway, ScotRail or Northern.
Couple to 158s and run an hourly service on CWL.
I don’t think it’s a question of TFW not wanting their 153s. They just want to beccertain that converting them to carry bikes is the correct option
TFW is a shambles as I have said before staggering from one crisis to another !! The idea is good but as i am sure those of you who know these units are very under powered and struggle with a full load of passengers !! Hence the nick name “Skateboard or scud missile ” To carry bikes as well !! With the gradients on this line as well !! To be honest just more smoke and mirrors they still have not entered all their 3 car 197 ,s and what about the Cambrian 158.s dont have a lot of luggage space let alone bikes !! No any fool can see the mistakes bad move getting rid of the 175 not picking up surplas 170 so have a pool of stock to run just the day to day service !! Also employ some cleaners to just clean the trains !!! Trust me that will be difficult !! This is TFW !!! Oh he re is a radical thought ! Join 2 153 together and hey presto a 155 !!!
No, spend the money more wisely and upgrade the toilets to make them fully accesible.
MEnough of this pandering to cyclists too, there’s not enough room on a 153 as it is without cluttering it up further with more pushbikes.
Either ride the bike to whete you are going or take the train but not both, it’s unfair for those who need to sit, particularly less able people.
Customers are customers , cyclists are customer.
The point is that they will run two 153 together, one as a standard passenger unit and one upgraded active travel unit, so there will be more seating capacity than there is now, as well as additional space for cyclists.
If I wanted to take my bike on holiday, to do some cycling around when I got there, it would be a bit unrealistic to expect me to cycle it 200 miles each way from Yorkshire to mid-Wales as well!
In principle a good idea. However I understand that the Central Wales Line currently falls far short of its scenic potential as the track sides are so overgrown. Much of it is like travelling in a green tunnel with no view but dense foliage brushing the carriage sides.
Further to my previous comments.Using “surplus” 153 units., like they did in Scotland is a good idea ( although they were not without their problems) but. as I understand it, TfW have not got surplus units but barely enough to maintain the service using the units they have.I really cannot see how they intend to cater for all the proposed modifications within the space of these units.
To make the journey, over the Central Wales line, more popular and enjoyable they need to use better, more appropriate stock.It really is a similar dilemma as on on Settle and Carlisle line, where more appropriate stock is needed.At least on S&C they have the Class 158 units.
A great idea providing extra bike space for the cycle tourists on the HOW line, as these will run coupled with another 153 as a double unit it will be a big improvement on capacity on the services especially during the summer .
Perhaps someone at TfW thought the class number means it only carries 15.3 passengers!
I’ve travelled on the Scottish version from Glasgow to Oban and it’s superb. It was bolted onto a 156 so provided additional seating as well as more space for bikes.
These units are barely adequate for all the modifications contemplated.Putting 10 cycle spaces on one of these , if it ran as a single car unit would be untenable, unfair and short sighted.The published specification is trying to achieve too much-” increased seats, additional tables and increased accessibility” ,where will be the room on these units for all of this ( even in two unit formation)? Another, hair brained Transport for Wales proposal.
it’s much easier to load bikes onto class 150s with their double doors
153s with the hand rail making door narrow can be difficult to load touring bikes with panniers
if full I have to remove one rear pannier to get into a 153
otherwise it’s a great idea to create open plan active travel space on train which can be used flexibly for people, baggage, bikes , buggies etc
Good to see Wales copying Scotland in the conversion and up grade to the class 153 fleet.
Increased seating and ten bike spaces – ah must be converting to double-deckers!
Don’t be a thicko mate 😂 they state that in their dispensation request that these will always work coupled to a 153/3 (full seated unit). So yes, over a standard single 1 car 153 you will have more seats, more tables and more luggage, bike and pushchair space.