CAF Civity for TfW: News and updates on introduction.

[willnotadmit]

Couldn't make out the fleet number (my eyes are shot) but spotted this beauty at Carmarthen today. Most likely in testing but would have loved it to be in passenger service. Seen them sitting at the platform at Carmarthen a couple of times but always thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.

(sorry if it's sideways, i'm new here and don't have a clue if there's an option to rotate)

 

[anthony263]

Do we have a date for this yet?

Not yet I asked yesterday on the class 197 Facebook group. Wont bother asking again after responses I got

 

[william.martin]

Couldn't make out the fleet number (my eyes are shot) but spotted this beauty at Carmarthen today. Most likely in testing but would have loved it to be in passenger service. Seen them sitting at the platform at Carmarthen a couple of times but always thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.

(sorry if it's sideways, i'm new here and don't have a clue if there's an option to rotate)

It was 197016

 

[XAM2175]

Couldn't make out the fleet number (my eyes are shot) but spotted this beauty at Carmarthen today. Most likely in testing but would have loved it to be in passenger service. Seen them sitting at the platform at Carmarthen a couple of times but always thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.

(sorry if it's sideways, i'm new here and don't have a clue if there's an option to rotate)

It's 197016, and don't worry, when you click on the photo to open it it appears correctly oriented.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Couldn't make out the fleet number (my eyes are shot) but spotted this beauty at Carmarthen today. Most likely in testing but would have loved it to be in passenger service. Seen them sitting at the platform at Carmarthen a couple of times but always thought my eyes were playing tricks on me.

(sorry if it's sideways, i'm new here and don't have a clue if there's an option to rotate)

Pop down to Cardiff and you’ll have two a day to try if you like I got 006 and 012 today.

Not yet I asked yesterday on the class 197 Facebook group. Wont bother asking again after responses I got

I saw those! (Mortified to be on a train FB group but I joined for this info ) Somewhat hostile.

 

[Jez]

Pop down to Cardiff and you’ll have two a day to try if you like I got 006 and 012 today.


I saw those! (Mortified to be on a train FB group but I joined for this info ) Somewhat hostile.

What did you think of the Class 197?

I cant wait to ride one again when i either end up in Cardiff by coincidence or when one finally comes to Swansea in service.

 

[Thunderer]

I just saw a 2 car 197 at Pencoed around 17:33 tonight on test heading towards Cardiff. RTT has it down as 3B21 1709 Swansea to Cardiff Sidings. Does anyone have an idea what the unit number was please as it took my by surprise and I couldn’t catch the number? Many thanks

 

[SuperLuke2334]

I just saw a 2 car 197 at Pencoed around 17:33 tonight on test heading towards Cardiff. RTT has it down as 3B21 1709 Swansea to Cardiff Sidings. Does anyone have an idea what the unit number was please as it took my by surprise and I couldn’t catch the number? Many thanks

I would guess at 197001 as 016 was out towards Carmarthen today, and 111 is on Landore.

 

[Thunderer]

I would guess at 197001 as 016 was out towards Carmarthen today, and 111 is on Landore.

Tops Thanks for the info….much appreciated

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

197004, 197006 and 197012 all erroneously closed their doors immediately after releasing them when I rode yesterday and today, several times in a row, and almost shutting on the many people trying to alight.

 

[L401CJF]

197004, 197006 and 197012 all erroneously closed their doors immediately after releasing them when I rode yesterday and today, several times in a row, and almost shutting on the many people trying to alight.

If its at a larger station (more than 2 platforms) where the guard has to override the ASDO, if the buttons and override switch are not held for long enough the doors will close again immediately, presumably that? Took a while for guards up north to get used to that!

 

[SuperLuke2334]

If its at a larger station (more than 2 platforms) where the guard has to override the ASDO, if the buttons and override switch are not held for long enough the doors will close again immediately, presumably that? Took a while for guards up north to get used to that!

May I ask why the ASDO has to be overridden at bigger stations, if you know?

 

[L401CJF]

May I ask why the ASDO has to be overridden at bigger stations, if you know?

If I remember rightly (happy to be corrected) it's GPS controlled so it knows which station youre coming into etc. If you're at a station with only 2 platforms (for example Shotton, 1 for each direction) the system knows which way its going and which platform it must be coming in on. However for larger stations with multiple platforms in close proximity in different directions or bidirectional (Crewe, Manchester Picc, Chester etc) there are multiple different platforms you "could" be arriving into, so it can't commit to a certain side and had to be overriden. Basic description!

Sometimes if the system hasn't been setup properly by the driver, or the GPS has a fault for whatever reason the ASDO stops working and would have to be overriden at all stations - again if the buttons and override arnt held long enough, the doors immediately close.

 

[sd0733]

May I ask why the ASDO has to be overridden at bigger stations, if you know?

The system knows where it is but at a station where the platform may be either side the system.has to be overriden as effectively the train doesn't know which side the door release Will be ie Cardiff, Newport, Hereford, Shrewsbury etc.

 

[Krokodil]

If its at a larger station (more than 2 platforms) where the guard has to override the ASDO, if the buttons and override switch are not held for long enough the doors will close again immediately, presumably that? Took a while for guards up north to get used to that!

You don't need to hang onto the override switch. Just flick it while holding the buttons down and the doors will open properly. It's only letting go of the buttons too soon that recloses the doors.

The unit goes into a "bubble" in the area around a station so it will allow an over ride

You can override anywhere you like, you don't have to be in the GPS bubble. That's why it is called an override.

 

[L401CJF]

You don't need to hang onto the override switch. Just flick it while holding the buttons down and the doors will open properly. It's only letting go of the buttons too soon that recloses the doors.

Very handy to know, wasn't told that!

 

[Last Hurrah]

Have they given up on having a rail connection from the CAF factory to the nearby SWML ?

It’s hard to believe carriages were being sent to Donnington by road

 

[Krokodil]

Very handy to know, wasn't told that!

I wasn't told that the doors would reclose, I found out the hard way when I (thought I) released the doors at an intermediate panel, keyed out, found the door closing on me and then realised that none of the others were open either.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

If I remember rightly (happy to be corrected) it's GPS controlled so it knows which station youre coming into etc. If you're at a station with only 2 platforms (for example Shotton, 1 for each direction) the system knows which way its going and which platform it must be coming in on. However for larger stations with multiple platforms in close proximity in different directions or bidirectional (Crewe, Manchester Picc, Chester etc) there are multiple different platforms you "could" be arriving into, so it can't commit to a certain side and had to be overriden. Basic description!

Sometimes if the system hasn't been setup properly by the driver, or the GPS has a fault for whatever reason the ASDO stops working and would have to be overriden at all stations - again if the buttons and override arnt held long enough, the doors immediately close.

The system knows where it is but at a station where the platform may be either side the system.has to be overriden as effectively the train doesn't know which side the door release Will be ie Cardiff, Newport, Hereford, Shrewsbury etc.

Thanks both.

Have they given up on having a rail connection from the CAF factory to the nearby SWML ?

It’s hard to believe carriages were being sent to Donnington by road

I thought it was revealed recently that there's a gas main under where the link would have to go, so isn't possible? Plus the fact that the steelworks don't want to give other operators track access.

 

[RailWonderer]

When are the 3 car units with first class planned to be introduced? I'd like to try a weekend upgrade return trip on one. Apparently one unit has been built, but I am curious which seat will be used for first, and if it will be cab ends only or half a coach.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

When are the 3 car units with first class planned to be introduced? I'd like to try a weekend upgrade return trip on one. Apparently one unit has been built, but I am curious which seat will be used for first, and if it will be cab ends only or half a coach.

Not for a long while yet. Only 2 of those 14 units have currently been built and both of which are in Donnington awaiting delivery.

 

[AJDesiro]

When are the 3 car units with first class planned to be introduced? I'd like to try a weekend upgrade return trip on one. Apparently one unit has been built, but I am curious which seat will be used for first, and if it will be cab ends only or half a coach.

They’re going for the same seats in IET first I believe, there was a documentary on the BBC about TfW that showed it, I believe someone posted pictures upthread.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

They’re going for the same seats in IET first I believe, there was a documentary on the BBC about TfW that showed it, I believe someone posted pictures upthread.

It does look more developed and improved than the IETs though.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Am I right in thinking the only Holyhead services with first class will be the MK4 services, and that the 197/1s on that route will be the standard only ones? Ergo First 197 on Manchesters only?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Am I right in thinking the only Holyhead services with first class will be the MK4 services, and that the 197/1s on that route will be the standard only ones? Ergo First 197 on Manchesters only?

I don't think it's completely clear what will happen now more Mk4s have been taken on.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I don't think it's completely clear what will happen now more Mk4s have been taken on.

They barely get out more than three a day across both routes.

 

[craigybagel]

I don't think it's completely clear what will happen now more Mk4s have been taken on.

This. The original plan was they'd only go on Manchester - West Wales services (plus trips to Chester as necessary to get to the depot) but that was pre MKIV. The plans are a bit more up in the air now.

They barely get out more than three a day across both routes.

They're only booked to have 4 sets out at the moment anyway. And there's a very good explanation as to why they're struggling to achieve that, and why it should get better soon on the MKIV thread.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Am I right in thinking the only Holyhead services with first class will be the MK4 services, and that the 197/1s on that route will be the standard only ones? Ergo First 197 on Manchesters only?

All the 197s are based at Chester (bar the Cambrian ones), so I expect First Class will find its way onto North Wales services from time to time.
The Manchester-South Wales units are also used on Chester-Crewe services early and late, so there's another possibility.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

All the 197s are based at Chester (bar the Cambrian ones), so I expect First Class will find its way onto North Wales services from time to time.
The Manchester-South Wales units are also used on Chester-Crewe services early and late, so there's another possibility.

Well time to time is not very helpful for those booking first class tickets. It’s already a lottery now.

 

[PaulHarding150]

If you’re booking a first class ticket to North Wales you’ll know to hunt out the Mark IV set - timetables will show they have 1st class and a buffett etc.

What LNW-GW probs means is that every so often a three car set with that small 1st compartment might end up on a non Swansea-Manchester service (Cambrian line excluded obviously). In that scenario I think common sense would dictate that the 1st class section is declassified.