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CAF Civity for TfW: News and updates on introduction.
- Thread starter hexagon789
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Probably been discussed before but doesn’t make sense why any fleet is ordered as 2 car these days? If the Stadlers are all 4 car then surely the CAF’s should have been 3 at a minimum? I feel sorry for people putting up with 2 car trains
Because there are plenty of TFW routes where 2 car is sufficient. The long term idea is that of busier routes they will always be attached to be 4-5 car.
It’s been gone through so many times already but 2 cars are definitely needed as many services don’t need any more than that.
Machynlleth depot can not accommodate 3 car trains. It had a minor extension to accommodate the 2 car 197’s.
To make any alterations to fit 3 cars would be very difficult and very expensive.
Most of the time the 2 cars on the Cambrian coast are sufficient. 4 is needed during the summer. Even many of the Cambrian mainline services don’t warrant more than a 2 car. I’m sure there’s plenty of examples on TFW’s network.
Aren't the 230s (D-Trains) around 55 metres long and 756/0 (the 3-car FLIRT units) 65 metres; in which case both are shorter than a 3-car Cavity (71.4m) and probably closer to the 2-car Cavity (48.05m) than the 3-car ones?
Seasonally and off-peak yes, an appropriately designed 2-car unit would be sufficient on quite a few TfW routes. There are very few routes where a 2-car is sufficient even at busier times (but there might be the odd example out there) but there is nothing inheriently wrong with having some 2-car units for the quiet times and pairing them up for the peak loads. There are several reasons why I consider the 197s to be a flawed design which should never have been ordered, but I don't the existance of 2-car units was ever one of them (if they didn't have end gangways that would be a different story).
BillStampy
Member
Realtime Trains | 2N09 1002 Cardiff Central to Ebbw Vale Town | 13/03/2024
Real-time train running information for 2N09 1002 departure from Cardiff Central to Ebbw Vale Town on 13/03/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
If I am not mistaken, this can't be a 197 yet right? (197047 is allocated as of now)
Jamesrob637
Established Member
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Realtime Trains | 2N09 1002 Cardiff Central to Ebbw Vale Town | 13/03/2024
Real-time train running information for 2N09 1002 departure from Cardiff Central to Ebbw Vale Town on 13/03/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
If I am not mistaken, this can't be a 197 yet right? (197047 is allocated as of now)
It will be I'm sure with less than an hour to go.
robert thomas
Member
Now shown as 158837
Anonymous10
Established Member
I see a class 197/1 with standard + is currently allocated to my train tomorrow morning, is this still declassified?
I have not heard anything about the upgrade being offered yet so hopefully you can sit in there free of charge.
The_Train
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Safest thing to do would be to ask the guard when you board
MP393
Member
There have been no updates internally to suggest otherwise, so yes it’s still declassified
FrodshamJnct
Established Member
Anonymous10
Established Member
I had sat initially in standard plus, its still declassified. However a friend got on I haven't seen in a while who isn't sure about it so am no longer there. But yes still declassified.
FrodshamJnct
Established Member
So I assume that internal reminder hasn’t filtered out to everyone yet!
It hasn't filtered to anyone at all. All crews have been told it's declassified until branding is in place so that's how it should be being operated, its standard class until its branded up otherwise.
FrodshamJnct
Established Member
Thanks. I’ll be going back to TFW with that as their social media team has clearly been told something else.
Maybe ask them to explain the difference between "First Class" and "Standard Plus" as the former is the only branding shown on these trains that I've seen
nigelsporne
Member
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I am off to Anglesey later this week. Do 197s stable there overnight on a Saturday? If so how many? Do they keep a spare unit there?
Thanks
Thanks
BillStampy
Member
Realtime Trains | 3G95 1535 Gloucester to Cardiff Central | 18/03/2024
Real-time train running information for 3G95 1535 departure from Gloucester to Cardiff Central on 18/03/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.
www.realtimetrains.co.uk
Just noticed 197120 is on a test run to Gloucester, what is the point of even operating this run at all if it's already cleared and there hasn't been any crew issues? Is it just used now as a route for driver training in general for 197s?
BillStampy
Member
What's expected to be the next 197s to enter service if anyone knows?
Looks like 5 car testing is being done between Shrewsbury and Manchester today, 125 and 003 doing the honours.
It’s also sounding like February is where 197’s are currently pegged for entry into service for the Cambrian with route clearing and crew training to be done this year.
It’s also sounding like February is where 197’s are currently pegged for entry into service for the Cambrian with route clearing and crew training to be done this year.
Lovely news for 158 fans on the Cambrian (of which I am one) - they have a one final summer swan song.
Ha! Another summer of cooking. They're nice trains but summer is not their strong point.
You beat me to it LowLevel! 158’s are nice but they’re very outdated now.
I absolutely can not wait to have properly air conditioned trains on the Cambrian.
They’ll be a good addition on the coastline, with its low line speed I don’t think the rougher ride will be so noticeable. Despite many people saying they’re not suitable for the Cambrian due it being a ‘long distance’ route, the coast line has about 25 stops and does not have long between any of them. Often just in the range of 1-5 minutes between.
Their better acceleration and braking will help them keep time during summer when stopping at all the request stops.
The wide 1/3 2/3 doors will again help keep dwell times down at stations and swallow the large volumes of passengers that travel, Particularly the 10 minute stretch between Talybont and Barmouth which is where most of the overcrowding happens.
Anonymous10
Established Member
I also personally prefer the seats, the leg room is perfectly fine, all seats have a pug and usb as well which is important for if you travel alot, ( I always try get trains with higher plug provision when travelling so all devices are charged).
I do slightly prefer the 158 seats but not by much. The legroom on 197’s is great and yes a 3 pin plug at every seat is a big bonus !
SuperLuke2334
Established Member
197103 entering service today on 1T11 Chester to Rhyl. Just 102 of the standard only 3 cars now to start.
BillStampy
Member
I believe 102 and 113 were recently on test runs, supposing they'll be soon to follow.