The 🔥FIRE🔥 Prone Class 175 Units Stored at Holyhead & 67020, DVT & Units - Ground & Aerial Views!

An eventful 2023 to date for the Class 175 units operated by TfW. This class of Alstom units have seen 3 instances of fire whilst in service already this year (Wrexham and Wilmslow).
A large proportion of the fleet is now stored in Holyhead awaiting rectification maintenance and safety checks before they can be entered back into service. See the 175/0 and 175/1 units stored with ground and aerial views of where they're currently parked up.
Also included are views of 67020 which had worked up the length of Wales earlier in the day from Cardiff and is seen heading out on it's return journey. A double-headed class 158 pair of units depart for Shrewsbury and an Avanti Voyager reaches the end of its journey from Crewe.
My mic cable decided to have a fit during some of the station clips so apologies for the sound on a couple of clips. All aerial footage was captured in full compliance to the current CAA drone utilisation rules as of Mar-23.
Hope you enjoy the video! Thanks for watching.
#class175 #175/0 #175/1 #transportforwales #TfW #Holyhead #class67 #67020 #locomotives #storedunits #class175fire #drone #dronecam #dronevideo #railwaydronecam

[@ianjones4116]

Surprised there are any sidings left up there . In the 90s it was a big thing to rip out and scrap,, Very useful Sidings and Loop lines . Leave them parked up, and run push pull 37s and stock 😁😁👍😎

[@trainsplanes]

Amen to that.. ROG 37’s will be dragging this lot to Newport unless they start behaving themselves very soon 😜

[@logicalaction]

How different things are now compared to when I used to go round train spotting in the late 70’s early 80’s, but it’s so good to see some of the old loco’s still running around

[@trainsplanes]

Very different nowadays however we are still treated to a few reminders of the past.. You’ve just got to find them! 🙏👍

[@MervynPartin]

I've only been on a 175 once- a few years ago when travelling to Colwyn Bay to collect a classic car. From what I remember, it was quite a pleasant ride. Let's hope the problems get sorted so that the units do not get scrapped before their time. A pity about the mic cable but an enjoyable video nonetheless.

[@bigdunc228]

So sad the 175 is a beautiful second generation unit . I've grown to love them so much over 20 odd years commuting between Liverpool and North Wales

[@clarklawless3858]

I love the journey along the north wales coast to Holyhead

[@Pmjs]

TfW should get more class 67 Push Pulls for Manchester to Cardiff.

[@trainsplanes]

I’m not sure they’ve got enough drivers at present however I could be wrong there..

[@theempirestrikesback2939]

Why do the class 67 still have the Deutsche Bahn badge on the front? Do they still belong to DB and just wear Transport for Wales livery? Greetings from germany !

[@Pmjs]

@@theempirestrikesback2939 The 67s belong to DB. The Caledonian Sleepers have 92s&73s from GBRF with the Caledonian livery.

[@theempirestrikesback2939]

@@Pmjs Thank you for that information. Means TfW leases the class 67 from DB ?

[@schoolshorts]

Holyhead harbour has changed beyond recognition since I knew it in the 1950s and 60s - but in those days, of course, virtually everyone arrived by train.

[@trainsplanes]

That’s very true.. The dire weather is probably the only consistent.. ☂️🌧️

[@updistant705]

You can thank Ryanair and car ferries for that.

[@nickedwards2904]

@@trainsplanes i was thinking that too lol last tie i was in Holyhead was on a 40 railtour, think it was the wettest place i had ever been in my life.

[@keithalexander3386]

Plenty of storage room for these units. The sidings are st ill used in normal times which include steam and diesel excursion stock as well as the 67s plus their stock. We used to see Pendolinos from Euston there after they had been dragged from Crewe by 57s. This was when Voyagers were unavailable in Virgin times.

[@trainsplanes]

Handy space to have available for sure 👌 👍

[@davidowen6977]

Thank you for these fresh perspectives 👍👌🌟

[@trainsplanes]

Glad you like them! Thanks David.. 👍

[@Sophiebryson510]

They’re going out with a bang!

[@trainsplanes]

Quite literally 😂

[@RGJTrains]

live down the road and never noticed

[@trainsplanes]

Worth a look 👍

[@railwayscene]

Nice video - I used to like the 175s when they were running in the NW

[@trainsplanes]

Thanks - I’m sure they’ll be back soon hopefully with combustion issues addressed…! 👍

[@michaeltaylor1869]

Hi very good camera work as usual cracking video well done bye for now Philip

[@trainsplanes]

Glad you enjoyed it - Thanks again. 👍

[@arthurgrowler5749]

Nice to see you down the north Wales coast 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 3 fires which is very concerning, come at the wrong time too when the service is not reliable at the moment. Big struggle with these out of service !!

[@trainsplanes]

Thanks Arthur - I took the 150 out of Crewe later in the day and overheard someone comparing it to a Pacer!! 🤣🤣

[@arthurgrowler5749]

@@trainsplanes 😂😂😂

[@Pmjs]

We used to work those 150s up here in Scotland.

[@levelcrossing150]

A fair amount of money standing there, better bring back those Intercity HST's. Great video of the area by the way.

[@trainsplanes]

Thanks - Shame it was a tad foggy but glad you enjoyed it 👍

[@levelcrossing150]

@@trainsplanes No worries, it never spoilt it at all. 👍

[@davidsnapebrcrosslane8782]

Wales and West should use some of the ex GWR HSTs on their long distance services. They are more reliable, comfortable and time proved.

[@leonblittle226]

Frankly it was a surprise they choose mk4 and 67s over having some HST sets which could of been deployed in a multitude of formations from 2+4 to 2+7 or even with mods done mk4 stock with power cars

[@stepheng7586]

I wish Northern would get them. They would be perfect for the York to Blackpool and Leeds to Nottingham services which are limited stop and have a good few miles of high speed running on those routes. Having been a very regular user of the 195s and 175s,the 175s are a much better train.

[@joj.]

They should replace the old 150s on Sheffield to Leeds route. 195s aren't amazing, but they're a hell of a lot better than the joke that is cramped, sweltering, refitted prototypes from 1984 running hourly service between two major northern cities.

[@stuartbroome1258]

Get them back in service and let Northern have them to replace the 150's, especially on the Buxton.

[@trainsplanes]

Hi Stuart, Ironically TfW are replacing these units with their own 150’s between Piccadilly and Cardiff 🤣👍

[@stuartbroome1258]

What! 150 Picc to Cardiff, totally barmy. What happened to comfort?

[@AndreiTupolev]

They're not best suited for local/commuter work

[@thewrexhamtrainlads]

It’s not good having a 153 from Cardiff to Wrexham I’ve experienced it before and it was not fun it was a replacement for the premier service

[@archangelsean]

The 150 I'm on right now Rochdale to Victoria is lovely. Nothing wrong with it. Comfortable. Has chargers and a toilet. You don't really need any more.

[@petebest3729]

The 175's are more comfortable to sit on than their replacement 197's

[@ffrancrogowski6263]

Totally agree. The bogies on the 197s are weak, and not as solid as the 175s. The ride on the 197s is jerky.

[@davefreeman7629]

nice video thanks

[@vlu855]

Sound and commentary better than music -please

[@danielsellers8707]

Saw one at Crewe on the way to the Battle of Nantwich; would have got on it if it had stopped at Nantwich... I had to get photos of the bilingual signage as I'm interested in the Welsh language.

[@AndreiTupolev]

They're good quality units, definitely the most comfortable of that generation, but Alstom's (or rather, formerly Metro-Cammell)'s build quality was something of a letdown

[@britishfilmguy]

Looks like Tfw did the right thing, store them for now till the issue gets fixed, is abit alarming to have 3 train fires this year so something's up.

[@trainsplanes]

Sensible move - Get the rectification work completed to avoid any further issues.

[@britishfilmguy]

With all their new rolling stock coming still would save the next Toc q load of hassle.

[@johnbristow5665]

175 very good but for that alledged problem. Sugggest mk4 DVT Mk2 plus Italian bobo diesel thingy as replacement as told alledgedly trains cancelled due to luttle stock available

[@darrenhillman8396]

Nice compilation and good drone footage! Would have nice to hear the 67 leaving instead of the music overlay, but still a nice bit of work. Dismal weather for your visit! But Holyhead is always like that!

[@trainsplanes]

It was dismal..!! New cable purchased now so the mic is working again! 👍

[@Andrewjg_89]

Why are the Class 175 Coradia a fire hazard. These trains are still very reliable. Even the Class 180 Adelante that Grand Central will keep and the 4 Class 180 that are with EMR are to be replaced by the Class 810 Auroras next year. But are TfW going to retain the Class 175 Coradia or will they be sent for scrap as they have been replaced by new trains including Class 197 Civity. If they aren’t going to be scrapped and TfW doesn’t want them anymore then perhaps ScotRail should inherit them.

[@rthoc71]

Adelante 180 same used catch fire engines go pop like dragon maybe class 175 Nickname Welsh Dragon 🐲 Joking asking these 175 very comfortable units ride on I've done long distance early morning trip 1st one out Crewe to south Wales lovely unit, finding comfy seats these days thing of past with iron board seats on latest units. Fact that their former depot at Chester which was Alstom run now in hands of CAF who might be more interested in their own fleet, might be a reason 175 don't get attention they enjoyed under builder Alstom care. GC 180 seem run far better on ECML since their rebuild DB arriva spent lot money on them. Same needs happen to 175 to restore them to their glory days. Maybe trial LNG liquid natural gas propellant greener than diesel fumes. 1 of 180 have this fitted, finding new home for 175 where they can get a thorough refurbishment engine bodyshell together give them new lease of life fire free

[@trainsplanes]

Let’s see what happens - I agree on the comfort also.. Hopefully the 175’s survive versus some of the terrible other units about. 🙏👍

[@electragaming4140]

@@trainsplanes If the rumours are correct and the fleet is due to go off lease at the end of the year, and if TfW can cope by rejigging diagrams, they might find it easier to leave the Coradia's where they are and tell Angel Trains to come and get them..!

[@GarethJonesPilipala]

A very informative video. Good camera and drone work. The 175s are scheduled for withdrawal in 2024 when all the 197s have been delivered. I wonder if they will all be repaired?

[@sprinterofficial8457]

I think they need to because TFW are covering them with 150s and 158s atm, and the routes 150s normally go on are bus replacements.

[@GarethJonesPilipala]

@@sprinterofficial8457 OK. That's a good reason to get them back into service!

[@rthoc71]

I get impression Gareth that they not interested in 175 fact CAF now have chester depot might explain problems. When Alstom who built 175 ran chester depot they got care n attention needed.

[@GarethJonesPilipala]

@@rthoc71 I’m sure you are right about Alston looking after their own units better than CAF now do. In the last week I have seen some of the 2 and 3-car 175s back in service on the North Wales - South Wales services so I’m glad they will be around at least until the end of 2023.

[@vjet]

Are they being scrapped or refurbished, hopefully to cure them of their spontaneous combustion issues?

[@trainsplanes]

They will be rectified and put back in service I believe 👍

[@vjet]

@@trainsplanes thank you!

[@ffrancrogowski6263]

Some of the 175s were introduced in 1999 onwards, and I reckon they're some of the most comfortable trains on the system, with lovely seats. How are these units are starting to catch fire is a mystery when it's not long since they were refurbished. It's those most ugly and jerky 197s that want sending off to somewhere else!

[@sarahjoyholden7856]

More carriages on Birmingham to Holyhead train.

[@breeze1472]

Do they know whats causing the fires?

[@jaystocky]

What drone was this filmed on?

[@trainsplanes]

DJI Mini 3 👍

[@ianroantree8823]

Is it 12 units stored there think.i counted correct

[@trainsplanes]

I counted 11 but could be wrong 🤷‍♂️👍

[@Thornaby37]

According to a post on the WNXX forum there were eleven 175s stored at Holyhead last Monday (13/03/2023) Two car 175004/005/010 Three car 175102/105/106/109/110/113/114/115 Note that 175005 is off lease and will not work for TFW again

[@ChineseJohnCena]

I don’t really know why transport does wales refurbished these and then are replacing them, what a huge waste of money, and another thing to point out that there replacement class 197 are actually loads worse than what they are replacing

[@markwebster7128]

When did those sidings appear?

[@roboftherock]

They ahve been there for years, just camouflaged by Mother Nature until recently.

[@markwebster7128]

@@roboftherock only sidings I remember is to the left of the station as u come in from Bangor direction

[@brianwilder5878]

Shame Holyhead looks quite neglected nower days!!

[@MrTudwud]

I'm afraid I'm going against the grain here! I can't stand these units; "stand" being the appropriate word. Trains too short - little or no capacity - fault of TfW, not necessarily the units themselves. Comfortable they may be on certain routes but the Anglo-Welsh services are always packed to standing and I have not bothered to board the train on many occasions not wishing to stand for well over an hour. One consolation, they are much better than a 150 or 153 that have "substituted" for these units many times on journeys all the way from Manchester to South West Wales. Personally, I will be glad to see the back of them although I have reservations about their replacements too.

[@updistant705]

That's why they are going for loco-hauled on S Wales - Manchester services. It's not the units fault they are too short

[@MrTudwud]

@@updistant705 As I have already stated, the blame lies with TfW rather than the units. However, TfW allocate all their units in accordance with rail/government procedures and should face fines if they are not providing services or capacity. I know this because I was a Performance Manager for a Railway Company.

[@baconsandwich2007]

This can't be Holyhead. It's not raining!

[@trainsplanes]

I was spared until the walk back to the station! Soaked! 🌧️

[@SteveSmithRailways]

How long before they get covered in graffiti?

[@trainsplanes]

The fence/wall wasn’t huge so that could well be someone’s canvas soon.. 🙈🙈

[@EM-yk1dw]

What a terrible waste of money. I thought that there was a shortage of DMUs?

[@roboftherock]

Like many others the music was a waste of time and effort. You had FX for the Avanti arrival, why none for the TfW services? Was it discrimination? Do you not like TfW? I wonder if Network Rail knew there would be problems with the 175s and cleared the undregrowth in anticipation.

[@trainsplanes]

It was because of a broken mic wire - I don’t think my camera cables can tell who the TOC is..🤣😜👍

[@andrewbutler6477]

Don't think anyone likes TFW with the awful service it operates late cancelled trains packed with only 2 carriages the service is a shambles here in the Cardiff Newport area

[@robinedwards598]

British Railways. ….. is a disaster from start to finish. HS2 will be exactly the same.

[@davidsnapebrcrosslane8782]

British Railways worked fine back in the 70s and 80s when there were loco hauled trains. No overcrowding then, locos worked inter regional services also and could turn up anywhere. Only since privatisation have things gone bums up, rail travel in this country is overpriced and ticketing complicated when trying to save money.

[@robinedwards598]

Your right. David. I worked on the footplate for 34 years, until 2008. It was great in the early years , I loved my job …. by 2008 , I couldn’t wait to get away from it …. I find it a total embarrassment now.

[@updistant705]

says an expert

[@Cactus732]

It’s hard to take someone seriously that thinks the 80s was a great era for Britain’s railways

[@davidsnapebrcrosslane8782]

@@Cactus732 In the early 80s I was in my late teens, Crewe , Manchester Victoria and Worksop were regular haunts. Merrymaker day trips were a cheap way of getting to far flung destinations to cop locos etc not normally seen in the North West. There was an abundance of locos and mixed traffic not like there is today. A visit to Crewe for the day could net you well over 200 locos, this is before we had mobile phones to constantly check RTT. We had nearly a 1000 class 08 shutters , Class20s/ 25s/31s/33s/37s/40s/ 45s/50s/ 56s/58s and the electrics as well as the 125s. There were no IETs, Bendy Pendys, Vomiters or Voyagers. Anything could turn up, health and safety wasn't over the top and you had the common sense to stay safe. So yes the 80s was a good era, and there are plenty that would agree with me.