Transport for Wales implements Mk.4 cascade
The introduction of former LNER coaching stock heralds wide-ranging rail improvements planned across Wales.
On September 13, the three Cardiff– Holyhead direct services started running with Mk.4 rolling stock cascaded from LNER East Coast operations. The sets provide First and Standard Class accommodation, including kitchen/buffet car facilities, and are made up of four coaches, plus a Driving Van Trailer, with Class 67 locomotive haulage hired in from DB Cargo.
Typical journey time is 4hrs 30mins, which means there will be few through passengers, but intermediate journeys will be competitive and the service is a statement of intent about future ambitions to improve the infrastructure that will allow higher line speeds, which in turn will result in shorter journey times.
This includes the North Wales coastal route that has been starved of investment, other than some signalling renewals which did not impact on line speed. The Union Connectivity Review conducted in 2020 identified the poor state of services between North Wales and North West England with a timetable that prevents travel to work journeys to reach employment centres.
NEW LINK LINE PROPOSED
Immediate improvement is difficult because of congestion in central Manchester that restricts additional services using the Castlefield Corridor to reach Manchester Piccadilly. A revival of the proposal to provide a link between the mid-Cheshire line at Mobberley to reach Manchester Airport offers a solution.
The mid-Cheshire line is the former route between the closed stations at Chester Northgate and Manchester Central, where trains were diverted to Chester General station by providing a spur at Mickle Trafford Junction. Between Altrincham and central Manchester, the formation has since been taken over for use by Metrolink light rail services. Heavy rail services were diverted to run via Stockport, but are restricted by sections of single line that prevent the operation of limited stop services.
A new connection would create a through airport station for which the design of the current layout has made provision and allow much shorter journey times between Manchester and Chester, and destinations in
North Wales.
TfW is promoting the improvement of the coastal line with the ultimate aim of achieving electrification, but an interim service improvement is needed to increase the current low level of passenger numbers which inhibit a financial justification for wiring.
A North Wales Metro proposal has also been made to enhance services radiating from Chester, which includes improved service frequency for the Wrexham Central to Bidston route using Vivarail Class 230 rolling stock, converted from former London Underground vehicles.
TfW has also purchased a further 30 Mk.4 vehicles that were refurbished for use on Arriva’s nowabandoned open access service between Blackpool and London Euston. The rolling stock is to be used on through services between Swansea and Manchester which are part of the December 2022 timetable proposals.