WMR Class 196 Build and Implementation

[anamyd]

So (assuming they start public service on Mon 17th), WMT has beaten TfW to get its new Civitys into service.

Which is good, because it's the right order. (195), 196 then 197.

 

[warwickshire]

But that's not really what it's there for. Closing/altering platforms due to damage etc, yes.
Announcing completed extensions? I dunno. It's more for urgent items, not planned ones?


The 196s have no selective door operation. If you're not fully accommodated, you're not releasing the doors.

Hence also cannot do stations on Stratford Upon Avon line either ie Wood End. Danzey. Bearley etc. Why Cannot go there. I suspect maybe at a couple of stations on the line to Shrewsbury ie Oakengates or Bilbrook a bit of a embarrassment. However on Monday 10th October 2022. On the Shrewsbury line around mid morning a x2 =4 two car formation ie x2 x2 was out.

 

[centraltrains]

Newsletter just received by email about new trains (no date given but must be progressing well to get to this stage)! Links to this article:

Class 196 fleet

Meet our Class 196 trains.

www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk

Meet our shiny new Class 196 trains

Sometimes it’s the little things that can make a big difference, and our Class 196 trains are no different. We’ve put you, our customers, at the heart of our decisions, which is why we are excited to invite you on board.

So where are they going? Our Class 196 diesel trains have headed to Shrewsbury first, but don’t worry Hereford, good things come to those who wait, and our new trains will be heading to you shortly.

In total we’ve got 26 brand-new Class 196 trains replacing some of our oldest diesel fleets. Made up of 80 carriages (built in two and four car formations) they will help us improve capacity by around 25% - so, we hope you’re pleased with the switch!

New features​

Video: Join Senior Conductor Sam who takes you on board our Class 196, showing you all the little things that will make a big difference to your journey. (

)

More seats and tables for a more enjoyable journey

More bike storage areas, enabling up to three bikes to be carried

At least one accessible toilet on every train

Improved under-seat luggage space

Improved digital information screens

Plug and USB sockets at every seat

Intelligent air conditioning which reacts to the carriage environment

Free WiFi to stay connected and catch up as you go.

The journey of our new trains​

• Winter 2017: West Midlands Railway is established and orders from two brand new train fleets are placed
• 2018: Construction begins of our new Class 196 trains by manufacturer CAF
• Autumn 2019: The first train is ready to be tested on the famous Velim test track in Eastern Europe
• Spring 2020: Second phase of production begins in Newport, Wales
• Summer 2020: With Covid-19 restrictions temporarily eased, our first 196 units begin arriving in the West Midlands
• Autumn 2020: The first trains in the fleet begin testing on the UK rail network
• 2021: Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the remaining trains are constructed, and on-track testing continues.
• Autumn 2022: Training begins for our drivers and senior conductors ready for the first trains to enter service later this year

Download 196 timeline (PDF)

196 fact sheet​

Manufacturer	Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF)
Trains in Fleet	26 (14 x 4-car / 12 x 2-car)
Total Carriages	80
Routes	Birmingham - Shrewsbury (from 2022) Birmingham - Hereford (from 2023)
Top Speed	100mph
Fuel Type	Diesel
Total Seats	311 (4-car) / 141 (2-car)
Seat Formation	2+2

Seating plan​

Familiarise yourself with the 196 seating plan.



Download seating plan (PDF)

Downloadable wallpapers​

A collection of high definition Class 196 wallpapers available for download for free.

• Wedge shot #1 (2560 x 1440p) - Download
• Wedge shot #2 (2560 x 1440p) - Download
• Low angle shot front shot (2560 x 1440p) - Download

Where does the new 196 trains travel to?​

The first trains head straight for the Shrewsbury and Telford Line, followed by Hereford and Worcester. You'll also see a few on the Snow Hill lines as they top-up the existing fleet to give more space.

Stating some will be on the Snow Hill lines... exciting! Should be pretty easy diagram wise given both Dorridge/Whitlock's terminators have 3 diagrams bouncing to and from all day.

 

[SCDR_WMR]

Snow Hill lines won't be until Worcester start using them, so April at the earliest. Good that they are starting some PR though, adverts and posters have been ready to go for some time

 

[warwickshire]

Snow Hill lines won't be until Worcester start using them, so April at the earliest. Good that they are starting some PR though, adverts and posters have been ready to go for some time

Exactly what I have heard with one diagram notably returning which was the existing one before covid which involved the 170/153 diagram. Which now will be a 196.

 

[6Gtraincrew]

So (assuming they start public service on Mon 17th), WMT has beaten TfW to get its new Civitys into service.

Only by a few weeks though, but they did have a 12 months head start.

 

[GWVillager]

Snow Hill lines won't be until Worcester start using them, so April at the earliest. Good that they are starting some PR though, adverts and posters have been ready to go for some time

So posters will start going up soon then?

 

[SCDR_WMR]

So posters will start going up soon then?

Should do, they sent loads of media out internally about a month ago now including video and tag lines from posters. Not sure why they aren't up already really

Exactly what I have heard with one diagram notably returning which was the existing one before covid which involved the 170/153 diagram. Which now will be a 196.

That would make perfect sense. Will be a nice surprise for people when it happens

 

[newtownmgr]

Will be very surprised if they get used on the Snow Hill Lines unless they change the unit/train crew diagrams drastically. All current unit diagrams are spread across all 3 drivers depots that cover Snow Hill, none are worked by Worcester exclusively. Only Worcester learning the 196’s.
There should be enough 172’s now to cover all snow hill services.
As regards the old 153/170 diagram mentioned. I’m not sure what diagram or diagrams they will go on first, but suspect it will be the current 170 diagrams. The former 153/170 diagram is currently a 172/3

If it’s referring to the 153/170 snow hill diagram then that was in the pre Covid timetable. Timetable has totally changed since then!

 

[centraltrains]

returning which was the existing one before covid which involved the 170/153 diagram.

The 170/153 diagram doesn't exist any more, I forget the order but it use to start around lunchtime and go once to Whitlock's and Dorridge - this is back when we had trains to Great Malvern from Snow Hill. Worcester-Whitlock's and Worcester-Dorridge currently run fully self contained diagrams morning & off-peak, only exception seems to be the last couple services of the day & diagrams which go to Stratford.

WMR have stated in the Snow Hill Lines Update that they are currently working with Network Rail & Chiltern to retime the SHL timetable to a more evenly distributed pattern - so being pedantic, that exact old diagram won't exist.

 

[newtownmgr]

There enough 172’s to cover all Snow Hill & Leamington - Nuneaton services, even allowing for a few rush hour services to be reinstated if they choose to do so! A single 196 running around will cause traincrew problems at some point during the day if there is substantial delays etc. also if one fails on the Snow Hill line, assistance will be a Long time coming & either involve a Worcester driver being taxied to Tyseley or a Hereford service being cancelled to release a unit unless a spare is available at Worcester.
Honestly will be very surprised if you see one regularly on snow hill services. Suspect that line is from the original press releases for the units.

 

[Sprinter107]

Id be very surprised to see them on the Snow Hill lines, as there should be enough 172s to cover the present service when they are no longer used for Hereford. There are no current plans to increase the frequencies.

 

[Class172]

Will be very surprised if they get used on the Snow Hill Lines unless they change the unit/train crew diagrams drastically. All current unit diagrams are spread across all 3 drivers depots that cover Snow Hill, none are worked by Worcester exclusively. Only Worcester learning the 196’s.
There should be enough 172’s now to cover all snow hill services.
As regards the old 153/170 diagram mentioned. I’m not sure what diagram or diagrams they will go on first, but suspect it will be the current 170 diagrams. The former 153/170 diagram is currently a 172/3

If it’s referring to the 153/170 snow hill diagram then that was in the pre Covid timetable. Timetable has totally changed since then!

I think it is the old pre-Covid 170+153 diagram that others are referring to. But as you mention WMR now have more 172s than they did back then as a result of inheriting the former Chiltern sets so 172s can probably cover all the Snow Hill diagrams.

 

[Anonymous10]

Which is good, because it's the right order. (195), 196 then 197.

also have they not been in testing longer 196 that is

 

[MaidaVale]

No one will know exactly what stations its calling at

The first 196 operated service (0651 off Shrewsbury) is only scheduled to call at Wellington, Telford, Shifnal, Albrighton, Wolves, S&D and New Street, so shouldn't be requiring SDO as all stations have full length platforms. Not sure about the other services on that first diagram, not had a chance to check.

Newsletter just received by email about new trains (no date given but must be progressing well to get to this stage)! Links to this article:

Class 196 fleet

Meet our Class 196 trains.

www.westmidlandsrailway.co.uk

Stating some will be on the Snow Hill lines... exciting! Should be pretty easy diagram wise given both Dorridge/Whitlock's terminators have 3 diagrams bouncing to and from all day.

I find the "Bigger Windows" quote in that promo video rather odd as despite the windows not being particularly small, they're certainly smaller than the ones on both the 170s and 172s that they replace.

 

[Halish Railway]

This question has probably been asked a thousand times, but has it been said how the Camp Hill line (when reopened) will be worked?

My bet is on 2-carriage 196s worked by Birmingham New Street and Worcester Shrub Hill staff to facilitate possible rush-hour extensions towards Worcester.

 

[D.K.TAYLOR]

196101 Charles Darwin Awaiting 10-00 departure to Shrewsbury to launch the 196 service passenger statr Monday.
Monday will be a 4 car either 196101 - 196107 or 196108

 

[SCDR_WMR]

196101 Charles Darwin Awaiting 10-00 departure to Shrewsbury to launch the 196 service passenger statr Monday.
Monday will be a 4 car either 196101 - 196107 or 196108

Using Charles Darwin would probably be the case, that was an internal competition to name it so would be great to have start at Shrewsbury

 

[Jacob Porrett]

196101 Charles Darwin Awaiting 10-00 departure to Shrewsbury to launch the 196 service passenger statr Monday.
Monday will be a 4 car either 196101 - 196107 or 196108

Here are some photos that I took at Telford Central this morning. (14/10/22)

 

[Rhydgaled]

I find the "Bigger Windows" quote in that promo video rather odd as despite the windows not being particularly small, they're certainly smaller than the ones on both the 170s and 172s that they replace.

Yes, I thought that was odd too, given that there is an extra window on each side compared to a class 195/197 presumably they are smaller on a 196 than the other Civity DMUs too.

 

[AlexNL]

I think the windows themselves are smaller (to improve seat to window alignment) yet taller than on 172s?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Yes, I thought that was odd too, given that there is an extra window on each side compared to a class 195/197 presumably they are smaller on a 196 than the other Civity DMUs too.

They are, yes. Both horizontally and vertically (the latter I can't see a good reason for). The door positions are also different.

That said, they do look to have a nice "feel" to the interior, more so than TfW's very bland white and red or Northern's stark, cold blue. And good seats.

 

[Snow1964]

West Midlands Press Release 13:00 today on launch of class 196

West Midlands Railway unveils brand new train fleet​

Rail passengers in the West Midlands will soon have the chance to climb on board a brand new train fleet - the first to be introduced in the region in more than a decade.
A total of 26 trains – known as Class 196s – are being introduced as part of West Midlands Railway's £690m investment in new trains and infrastructure.
The first trains in the fleet will enter service on the Shrewsbury Line in coming weeks, serving destinations including Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Telford.
A special event to celebrate the fleet’s impending launch was held at Wolverhampton Station today, with guests including West Midlands Mayor Andy Street and passenger groups.
It has also been confirmed the first train in the fleet will be named “Charles Darwin” in honour of the Shrewsbury-born naturalist recognised as one of the greatest Britons of all time.

West Midlands Railway unveils brand new train fleet

Rail passengers in the West Midlands will soon have the chance to climb on board a brand new train fleet - the first to be introduced in the region in more...

www.mynewsdesk.com

 

[Razorblades]

Underwhelming trains? I feel the following phrase from WMT should have been proof-read!

'Sometimes it’s the little things that can make a big difference, and our Class 196 trains are no different.'

 

[Liam L]

Anyone here went on the press launch today? Just interested to hear what people thought of them before they rolled out?

 

[Bertiethebobby]

196101 Charles Darwin Awaiting 10-00 departure to Shrewsbury to launch the 196 service passenger statr Monday.
Monday will be a 4 car either 196101 - 196107 or 196108

So will the !0.00 departure from Shrewsbury be a 196 all week.
Is there a link somewhere to the diagrams please?

 

[JonathanH]

So will the !0.00 departure from Shrewsbury be a 196 all week.
Is there a link somewhere to the diagrams please?

No, that was an additional train today, 14 October.

3T71 1000 Wolverhampton to Shrewsbury
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:87273/2022-10-14/detailed

There isn't a 1000 from Shrewsbury.

The suggested diagram for the 196 has been posted earlier in this thread.
https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...nd-implementation.166065/page-40#post-5868054

 

[ABB125]

This question has probably been asked a thousand times, but has it been said how the Camp Hill line (when reopened) will be worked?

My bet is on 2-carriage 196s worked by Birmingham New Street and Worcester Shrub Hill staff to facilitate possible rush-hour extensions towards Worcester.

I'm sure I've read somewhere that it'll be Hereford services which currently have something like 50 minutes turnaround time at New Street, which would be class 196s, plus something else (possibly Shrewsbury services?). But I think that was the plan before coronavirus, so no doubt it's changed several times since then!

 

[Sprinter107]

I

I'm sure I've read somewhere that it'll be Hereford services which currently have something like 50 minutes turnaround time at New Street, which would be class 196s, plus something else (possibly Shrewsbury services?). But I think that was the plan before coronavirus, so no doubt it's changed several times since then!

I believe itll be a shuttle from New Street to Kings Norton on a 30 minute frequency worked by 2 sets.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

196101 "Charles Darwin" to work the morning peak diagram on Monday 17th October 2022.