CAF class 197 Civity for TfW: News and updates on introduction.

[LNW-GW Joint]

I think it's because they'd be the only operator at New Street so to avoid overcrowding/safety I think they've shut new street.
Also I believe there's a landslip between Chepstow and Gloucester as journey check has replacement buses running instead between Chepstow and Gloucester

Ah, that makes sense at Chepstow.
You'd think the same safety concerns would apply at Manchester Piccadilly P13/14 where TfW are providing the only trains, to/from the Airport.

 

[OrangeJuice]

Ah, that makes sense at Chepstow.
You'd think the same safety concerns would apply at Manchester Piccadilly P13/14 where TfW are providing the only trains, to/from the Airport.

Whether it's also network rail not wanting to staff new street either. But then as you say they are at Manchester Piccadilly just for TfW

 

[SuperLuke2334]

197011 was the unit to head south today. Pictured here at Hereford around 55 minutes late after being diverted via Crewe.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

197011 was the unit to head south today. Pictured here at Hereford around 55 minutes late after being diverted via Crewe.

If you mean 3T01, RTT shows it travelling via Wrexham (and getting progressively later).

 

[Philip]

Has crew training already started at any the depots along the South Wales route yet?

 

[6Gtraincrew]

197018 is making it's maiden passenger carrying voyage today. CTR-LIV all day

 

[SuperLuke2334]

If you mean 3T01, RTT shows it travelling via Wrexham (and getting progressively later).

Showing as going via Crewe on the TOPS system at the station, and I was tracking it on Traksy between Crewe and Shrewsbury.

 

[william.martin]

Seems to be running in the Mk4 path down the Marches (though running very late).

It's a curiosity that the TfW network will be dead for four days this week, but essentially a full service is operating today, as TfW is not affected by the Aslef strike.
Chester must be about the busiest station outside the Elizabeth line today, with something like 5tph TfW passing through, plus 4tph Merseyrail.
TfW will be the only TOC at Man Piccadilly/Airport/Lime StHL/Warrington/Crewe/Wolverhampton/Newport etc (plus freight/open access).

Do we know why TfW can't get past Wolverhampton?
There doesn't appear to be engineering work between there and New St/International.
No trains past Chepstow towards Gloucester either.

Must of felt like the Welsh invasion at Wolverhampton today!
Mind you it always does where I live just down the line at Telford central!

 

[childwallblues]

197018 is making it's maiden passenger carrying voyage today. CTR-LIV all day

Excellent. Another one for the red pen.

 

[Jez]

Is there any update on how many 197s should be in service from tomorrow or is it just a case of wait and see?

Can we expect all Llandudno-Manchester along with the Liverpool-Chester to be 197s which would free up 175s for the South.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Is there any update on how many 197s should be in service from tomorrow or is it just a case of wait and see?

Can we expect all Llandudno-Manchester along with the Liverpool-Chester to be 197s which would free up 175s for the South.

At the moment it's around 3 out per day, 1 on Liverpool and 2 on LLD MIA. There may be an increase tomorrow though, we'll have to wait and see.

 

[6Gtraincrew]

At the moment it's around 3 out per day, 1 on Liverpool and 2 on LLD MIA. There may be an increase tomorrow though, we'll have to wait and see.

I can only see 004, 006 and 013 allocated at the mo

 

[childwallblues]

Yesterday CTR-LIV started with 150281 which was swapped out for 175003. Back to a 197 today with 197004.

 

[Jez]

Yesterday CTR-LIV started with 150281 which was swapped out for 175003. Back to a 197 today with 197004.

It seems that 197s aren't used on Sundays yet

 

[Sheridan]

It seems that 197s aren't used on Sundays yet

I initially thought so as well but this is not the case. 197018 was certainly out yesterday.

Edit: Unless you’re talking specifically about the Liverpool route.

 

[Jez]

I initially thought so as well but this is not the case. 197018 was certainly out yesterday.

Edit: Unless you’re talking specifically about the Liverpool route.

I was talking generally but didn't realise they had turned up on other routes on a Sunday

 

[SuperLuke2334]

It seems that 197s aren't used on Sundays yet

There were 2x 197s out on Chester to Manchester Airport/Warrington BQ yesterday.

 

[Jez]

There were 2x 197s out on Chester to Manchester Airport/Warrington BQ yesterday.

I hasnt realised that. I only checked RTT for the South Wales to Manchester yesterday !

 

[SuperLuke2334]

I hasnt realised that. I only checked RTT for the South Wales to Manchester yesterday !

No worries, we all miss things.

 

[6Gtraincrew]

Four units out today.

Entry into pax service for 009 on 05:52 CTR-MIA

04:55 CTR-MIA is 197015

197006 is on Liverpool

197013 is 07:43 LLD-MIA

 

[absolutelymilk]

Any word on when the 3-cars or 2-cars in multiple will start running?

 

[Halish Railway]

Any word on when the 3-cars or 2-cars in multiple will start running?

2-cars have already started in multiple on Manchester Airport to Chester and Llandudno services, although it seems like pot luck as to whether a pair or single unit shows up.

 

[MDB1images]

Four units out today.

Entry into pax service for 009 on 05:52 CTR-MIA

04:55 CTR-MIA is 197015

197006 is on Liverpool

197013 is 07:43 LLD-MIA

Thanks for the update.
I make that 197004/006/009,
197010/011/013/015/018 all having entered service thus far.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Any word on when the 3-cars or 2-cars in multiple will start running?

Still a number of 3 cars sitting at Donnington RFT awaiting their fate.

 

[william.martin]

Still a number of 3 cars sitting at Donnington RFT awaiting their fate.

Saw them today when driving past

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Saw them today when driving past

Looks like nothing has changed or arrived since I went last time and did a Mr Donnington update. Wish they put numbers of the units so life would be a lot easier lol. No clue when the next 197 will be taken to Crewe.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Any word on when the 3-cars or 2-cars in multiple will start running?

3 cars haven't started FFR and mileage accumulation yet was the last I heard, so it may be a while yet.

 

[william.martin]

Does anybody know what the formation of Birmingham international to Aberystwyth and Pwhelli services will be (obviously they must split at Machynlleth so must either be 2+2,2+3 or 3+3.)

 

[busestrains]

Does anybody know what the formation of Birmingham international to Aberystwyth and Pwhelli services will be (obviously they must split at Machynlleth so must either be 2+2,2+3 or 3+3.)

Only the two coach units have ETCS fitted so any train to Aberystwyth and Pwllheli will be four coaches dividing in to two separate two coach portions. I suppose there may be some two coach working too on the services that do not divide. Possibly some 6 coach workings could be used too on busy services. But none of the three coach units will be used on this line.

 

[Bob Price]

3 cars haven't started FFR and mileage accumulation yet was the last I heard, so it may be a while yet.

I have seen a few 3 car units running milage accumulation past the Crewe web cam. Sometimes in conjunction with other 3 or two car units.