• Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

CAF Civity for TfW: News and updates on introduction.

Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

B

BenBracken

Member
Joined
16 Oct 2023
Messages
73
Location
Pembrokeshire
Just had a look at the timetable for west Wales services for the next few weeks. The requirement to change at Carmarthen when traveling to and from Milford Haven ends on Friday 24th November and direct services to Swansea and Cardiff resume on Saturday 25th. Does that signal the 197s being cleared for use? Haven’t been able to figure out Fishguard yet.
 
TT-ONR-NRN

TT-ONR-NRN

Established Member
Joined
30 Dec 2016
Messages
10,593
Location
Farnham
It’s quite sad having been on all the operational 197s now. I miss looking eagerly at RTT to see if a new winner is due through Cardiff Central :lol: Wales is, for now, entirely full of duds again :(
 
TT-ONR-NRN

TT-ONR-NRN

Established Member
Joined
30 Dec 2016
Messages
10,593
Location
Farnham
The same as fitted to Class 397 and MK5s.
Not the same as 80x similar as they look.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_3576.jpeg
    IMG_3576.jpeg
    86.8 KB · Views: 153
  • IMG_3575.jpeg
    IMG_3575.jpeg
    68.5 KB · Views: 151
  • IMG_3574.jpeg
    IMG_3574.jpeg
    98.3 KB · Views: 151
GWVillager

GWVillager

Member
Joined
2 May 2022
Messages
808
Location
Wales & Western
TT-ONR-NRN said:
The same as fitted to Class 397 and MK5s.
Not the same as 80x similar as they look.
Click to expand...
I can now quite confidently assert that the Novas, 80Xs and now 197s all have the same seats in first class. The cushion shaping is different, but compare two photos of them side by side - the handles, bases, armrests, spacing etc. are all identical. It’s like the difference between a Sophia on an 80X and a Sophia on a 197, I suppose.
 
nigelsporne

nigelsporne

Member
Joined
20 Dec 2012
Messages
125
Following a reference in an earlier thread I watched the programme on i-player entitled How to fix a Railway. This is about TfW and it's problems and covers the introduction and testing of new units. There is also quite an emphasis on the quality of the new seats. Obviously done for BBC Wales a year or two ago but quite humorous and worth a watch.
 
Bob Price

Bob Price

Member
Joined
8 Aug 2019
Messages
1,049
115 has been shuttling between Crewe CS and Chester over the past few days operated by ROG. I am guessing milage accumulation?
 
superalbs

superalbs

Established Member
Joined
3 Jul 2014
Messages
2,505
Location
Exeter
nigelsporne said:
Following a reference in an earlier thread I watched the programme on i-player entitled How to fix a Railway. This is about TfW and it's problems and covers the introduction and testing of new units. There is also quite an emphasis on the quality of the new seats. Obviously done for BBC Wales a year or two ago but quite humorous and worth a watch.
Click to expand...
That's amusing. The 197s have better seats than other long-distance trains introduced lately, but they're not particularly good either.
 
TT-ONR-NRN

TT-ONR-NRN

Established Member
Joined
30 Dec 2016
Messages
10,593
Location
Farnham
197110 has failed on Cardiff Ctrl platform 2. It’s refusing to depart with the 13:48 to Swansea. The doors won’t work.
 
The_Train

The_Train

Established Member
Joined
2 Jun 2018
Messages
4,390
C

childwallblues

Established Member
Joined
3 Jul 2014
Messages
3,018
Location
Liverpool, UK
SuperLuke2334

SuperLuke2334

Established Member
Joined
23 Oct 2021
Messages
1,815
Location
Hereford
197049 has been named 'Carew Castle Express'.

Link to TfW press article here: https://news.tfw.wales/news/carew-c...YZ2asVc8-LfeVifTZqwxJ9ktTx3uQ6OlgVt4vS64nIEkA

Carew Castle Express unveiled in Carmarthen​

The ‘Carew Castle Express’ has been unveiled to mark the introduction of brand-new Transport for Wales (TfW) trains between Swansea and Carmarthen.
Dadorchuddio trên 'Carew Castle Express / Castell Caeriw Cyflym’ yng Nghaerfyrddin

16 Nov 2023​

The ‘Carew Castle Express’ has been unveiled to mark the introduction of brand-new Transport for Wales (TfW) trains between Swansea and Carmarthen.
Named as part of TfW’s Magnificent Train Journey competition, the name ‘Carew Castle Express’ was chosen by year 5 pupil Rhys Protheroe from Johnstown Primary School in Carmarthen.
Rhys and other children from the school were invited to Carmarthen Railway Station today (Thursday 16 November) to see the winning name on the side of one of TfW’s brand new Class 197 trains.
The Class 197s have recently been introduced between Swansea and Carmarthen, offering greater capacity and enhanced on-board comfort. Work is progressing to introduce the trains further west to Milford Haven and Fishguard Harbour, which is expected to be completed later this year.
Soon every service west of Carmarthen will be on one of the brand-new trains.
Alexia Course, Chief Commercial Officer for TfW, said: “We’re excited to be running our brand-new trains in West Wales and we’re adding more to our network every few weeks.
“The new trains really transform the customer experience and as we add more to our network, we’re building resilience and seeing an improvement in our performance.
“We’re delighted to be able to invite one of our Magnificent Train Journey competition winners along to see their chosen name on the train and help inspire the next generation of travellers to chose public transport.”
As part of an £800 million investment into new trains, TfW first introduced the Class 197s to the Wales and borders network at the start of this year.
Over the coming months and throughout next year, TfW will continue adding new trains to their network, with 37 Class 197s already delivered and another 40 to come.
CAF UK Director Richard Garner commented: “CAF are extremely proud to play a key role in delivering TfW's commitment to transform rail travel for passengers, ensuring a high quality, reliable and comfortable journey.”
“As a local employer we are invested in providing highly skilled jobs at our Newport, South Wales factory to support local employment opportunities whilst focusing on sustainability issues and addressing the needs of the Welsh economy. Today’s unveiling of the ‘Carw Castle Express’ as named by a local schoolchild further strengthens this relationship with the Welsh communities.”
The Class 197 will run throughout the length and breadth of the network and will become the backbone of TfW mainline services. On the South Wales Metro, 60 new trains and tram trains will be introduced from 2024 onwards to complete the transformation of our fleet.
Click to expand...
 
S

simonmpoulton

Member
Joined
25 Jun 2011
Messages
44
Having travelled back on a 197/0 from Manchester Airport last weekend I can say I was left fairly unimpressed by the limited luggage space on board. Half the overall space was taken up by my single suitcase and when some other passengers got on at Warrington with more cases there wasn't enough space so they had to fill the aisle with them! A clear downgrade on the 158's and 175's and can't help but think they haven't been thought out design wise for running on the airport route!
 
R

Richard Scott

Established Member
Associate Staff
Joined
13 Dec 2018
Messages
3,730
simonmpoulton said:
Having travelled back on a 197/0 from Manchester Airport last weekend I can say I was left fairly unimpressed by the limited luggage space on board. Half the overall space was taken up by my single suitcase and when some other passengers got on at Warrington with more cases there wasn't enough space so they had to fill the aisle with them! A clear downgrade on the 158's and 175's and can't help but think they haven't been thought out design wise for running on the airport route!
Click to expand...
I went on one for the first time yesterday and was very underwhelmed. Whilst 175s were in dire need of a refresh the passenger environment was vastly superior to a 197 and a mk4 is light years ahead of a 197. Very disappointed.
 
A

Anonymous10

Established Member
Joined
19 Dec 2019
Messages
2,123
Location
wales
Currently sat on 197015, 0758 Carmarthen to Manchester Piccadilly. Been on since Carmarthen and honestly these trains are a massive improvement on the 150s and 153s and equal to the 175s. Only downside is lack of luggage provision. The seat is also quite comfortable and much better than the equivalent seats on GWR.
 
A

ajay1071

Member
Joined
12 Oct 2014
Messages
77
Anonymous10 said:
Currently sat on 197015, 0758 Carmarthen to Manchester Piccadilly. Been on since Carmarthen and honestly these trains are a massive improvement on the 150s and 153s and equal to the 175s. Only downside is lack of luggage provision. The seat is also quite comfortable and much better than the equivalent seats on GWR.
Click to expand...
I tend to agree with you, have had many journeys on a 197 upto an hours journey which I found acceptable/ comfortable, beyond an hours journey i have yet to try. That being said the comfort and environment is well short of that offered by a MK4 set. If and when any more MK4's become available it would be a great opportunity for TFW to purchase these and further enhance the diagrams on the marches upto the standard of the MK4 services.
 
A

Anonymous10

Established Member
Joined
19 Dec 2019
Messages
2,123
Location
wales
ajay1071 said:
I tend to agree with you, have had many journeys on a 197 upto an hours journey which I found acceptable/ comfortable, beyond an hours journey i have yet to try. That being said the comfort and environment is well short of that offered by a MK4 set. If and when any more MK4's become available it would be a great opportunity for TFW to purchase these and further enhance the diagrams on the marches upto the standard of the MK4 services.
Click to expand...
Carmarthen to Cardiff is two hours and they are fine for that. However, yes, the mk4s are a much nicer interior and environment.
 
Last edited:
S

sd0733

Established Member
Joined
7 Nov 2012
Messages
3,783
Lurcheroo said:
I think you would struggle to find many who prefer the 197 over the MK4.
I do like the 197 for sure but the MK4 wins out hands down for me.
Click to expand...
Definitely! The amount of positive comments on Mk4s is a lot, its rare to work.one without someone commenting how nice the train is. The amount of positive comments on 197s is effectively zero, not really helped by the fact half of them are rammed. They've got some serious issues at the moment (size, toilets, lack of luggage and the abysmal ride) that get a lot of negative comments.

childwallblues said:
I saw 197005 at Crewe on Tuesday. Is this still on test?
Click to expand...
It doesn't look to have been accepted yet so Will still be in testing/acceptance process.
 
Western 52

Western 52

Member
Joined
19 Jun 2020
Messages
1,186
Location
Burry Port
The poor ride is frequently mentioned, but is likely to be improved in some way? Presumably there are things that can be adjusted? Hopefully we are not stuck with such a rough ride for the lifetime of these units.
 
I

irish_rail

On Moderation
Joined
30 Oct 2013
Messages
4,015
Location
Plymouth
I found the seats worse than 80x stock for some reason. I'm completely unsure why, as they look better and are more padded, but I almost instantly felt lower back pain which continued all journey, not something ive experienced on 80x, and certainly not on the wonderful 175s. Also, whoever thought 2 car trains are suitable for what are effectively intercity services needs their head examining!
I also have a question on the driving that someone may be able to answer? When I travelled, it was a slippy old day, yet the driver seemed to apply a very high amount of power from a standing start , with inevitable slippage. This also continued after what I believe was a driver changeover, so is the initial power notch vastly over powered? Or is it an example of poor training / inexperience? Any help appreciated.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top