25 trains out of service on new franchise due to ‘damage by leaves’
Engineers work around the clock to keep the trains running. LAURA CLEMENTS reports
AFIFTH of Transport for Wales’s trains have been out of action and sat in the depot awaiting repairs – and it’s all because of leaves.
On Thursday, more than 20 Welsh train services were cancelled on busy commuter routes at peak times, because of broken down trains.
According to Transport for Wales (TFW), it is having to deal with more trains than usual being out of service because debris on the tracks is causing damage to the wheels.
Around 25 of its trains out of a 127-strong fleet are currently undergoing maintenance and repairs.
The first services running between Cardiff, Swansea and Pembroke Dock were cancelled on Thursday morning and rail replacement buses were laid on for commuters.
The first Swansea-bound train left Cardiff at 7.14am and consisted of only one carriage.
By the time it reached Bridgend, it was standing room only and some passengers were unable to get on due to overcrowding.
Many passengers were less than impressed with the standard of service from TFW, which took over the rail franchise in Wales in October 2018.
Some took to social media to vent their frustrations. Few were comforted by the promise from TFW of a long term investment plan for new trains and that they were “working hard to ensure the current fleet of trains is in serviceable condition soon as possible”.
Colin Lea, commercial and customer experience director at Transport for Wales Rail Services, said: “We completely understand the importance of providing a full and reliable service for our customers to all areas of our network particularly at peak times.
“Unfortunately a number of our trains have sustained damage as a result of Storm Callum, debris on tracks and slippery rails and are in need of repair.”
A spokesman for TFW confirmed Arriva had carried out maintenance works on its trains over and above what was required of it. as
He also explained how the impacts of Storm Callum were still being felt, while other trains were being retrofitted with disabled-access toilets.
The train stranded in 4ft of floodwaters at Penrhiwceiber only made its way back to Cardiff last week.
Mr Lea said: “I recognise this has been a particularly challenging situation for our customers and we thank them for their patience.
“Our train crews and engineers are going above and beyond to provide customers with the best service we can give within our current resources, whilst we have longer term plans for additional trains.”
TFW plans to increase the number of trains by around 65% in the next few years.
Leaves on the line can cause particular problems to rolling stock.
When leaves fall, they stick to damp rails, and passing trains compress them into a smooth, slippery, layer that reduces the trains’ grip.
This causes wheelslip. It means the wheels slide along the rail rather than rotate.
Eventually, the wheel is worn down so that it is no longer round but instead has flat spots.
Once these flats are created, they provide the characteristic “thump-thumpthump” that can be heard by rail passengers during autumn as the damaged wheels impact the hard rails beneath them.
Engineers work around the clock at the Canton depot in Cardiff grinding down the flat spots with a giant lathe.
If the wheels suffer too much damage then the whole wheel set has to be changed, which means a train is out of action for two days.