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

[Jez]

I tried the 197s at long last on Saturday afternoon I am very happy to report that I enjoyed my journies, my first being Manchester Oxford Road to Manchester Airport on 197015 then later on Manchester Piccadilly to East Didsbury on 197004.

I found the seats comfortable, although the armrests were slightly too low for my preference they would do. I found legroom to be good, and that cupboard next to the cycle space! Wow that thing is HUGE! I could have a rave in there

The power sockets and lavatories I didn't use, so no comment there. The PIS seemed to function well, and the train in general seemed good. I'm looking forward to a longer journey on one when they finally start service on my local route, but I think overall they'll be well received. I liked them, and I'd even be prepared to do Cardiff to Holyhead in one go on one.

Bring on the 197s through Hereford!

The 197s are just fantastic aren't they.

I had my first ride on a 197 end of February. I did Chester to Manchester Piccadilly then the following morning Manchester Oxford Road to the Airport and back.

Yes the cupboard is huge, hopefully once the catering is all up and running it will be worth them using all that space up!

I cant wait for the day when we can finally say goodbye to the 150/153s/175s on the long distance routes (yes i even prefer the 197s to 175s although to be fair there isn't a lot in it).

 

[Techniquest]

The 197s are just fantastic aren't they.

I had my first ride on a 197 end of February. I did Chester to Manchester Piccadilly then the following morning Manchester Oxford Road to the Airport and back.

Yes the cupboard is huge, hopefully once the catering is all up and running it will be worth them using all that space up!

I cant wait for the day when we can finally say goodbye to the 150/153s/175s on the long distance routes (yes i even prefer the 197s to 175s although to be fair there isn't a lot in it).

Agreed that they are great trains, and as much as I didn't think they would be, I think they will be a great successor to the 175s. I want to have a longer journey (Hereford to Cardiff would suffice, maybe Hereford to Shrewsbury) to cast that opinion more solidly. However, yes I absolutely agree that they are great and when that catering cupboard gets used for its intended purpose (whatever that is, I haven't kept up to date with the 197s) then it will hopefully be worth it.

197112 was taunting me in Crewe this morning, while waiting on 158825 on the heavily delayed 1030 from Manchester. It really is late, I think the 1130 is chasing our tail lights! Each day that goes by gets us closer to 197s on the north to south route I am trying to increase my patience waiting for them, now I know what's coming to my longer journeys I'm very excited.

I'm even considering a freedom of South Wales rover for when they come en-masse to my patch, I'm already keen to fill my book!

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Agreed that they are great trains, and as much as I didn't think they would be, I think they will be a great successor to the 175s. I want to have a longer journey (Hereford to Cardiff would suffice, maybe Hereford to Shrewsbury) to cast that opinion more solidly. However, yes I absolutely agree that they are great and when that catering cupboard gets used for its intended purpose (whatever that is, I haven't kept up to date with the 197s) then it will hopefully be worth it.

197112 was taunting me in Crewe this morning, while waiting on 158825 on the heavily delayed 1030 from Manchester. It really is late, I think the 1130 is chasing our tail lights! Each day that goes by gets us closer to 197s on the north to south route I am trying to increase my patience waiting for them, now I know what's coming to my longer journeys I'm very excited.

I'm even considering a freedom of South Wales rover for when they come en-masse to my patch, I'm already keen to fill my book!

Bold: It's used for stabling the trolley when not going up and down, has a water tank and storage for food, including a fridge.

 

[Techniquest]

Bold: It's used for stabling the trolley when not going up and down, has a water tank and storage for food, including a fridge.

Thanks! That makes sense

 

[L401CJF]

Bold: It's used for stabling the trolley when not going up and down, has a water tank and storage for food, including a fridge.

But don't get too excited for that yet, the current trolleys don't fit in the cupboard so will have to be replaced. There was rumours around a while ago that the trolley staff would be based at the cupboard and you could order via an app for at seat service. Whether that's just a rumour or an eventual plan I'm not sure.

At the moment the catering cupboard is used to store the bridging plate part of the ramp.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

But don't get too excited for that yet, the current trolleys don't fit in the cupboard so will have to be replaced. There was rumours around a while ago that the trolley staff would be based at the cupboard and you could order via an app for at seat service. Whether that's just a rumour or an eventual plan I'm not sure.

At the moment the catering cupboard is used to store the bridging plate part of the ramp.

It will be good to finally get some trolleys that are properly TfW branded rather than Arriva coloured! The at-seat service thing seems good.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

It will be good to finally get some trolleys that are properly TfW branded rather than Arriva coloured! The at-seat service thing seems good.

More than anything they need to get rid of the Arriva coloured nameboard at 75% of stations!

 

[Jez]

Agreed that they are great trains, and as much as I didn't think they would be, I think they will be a great successor to the 175s. I want to have a longer journey (Hereford to Cardiff would suffice, maybe Hereford to Shrewsbury) to cast that opinion more solidly. However, yes I absolutely agree that they are great and when that catering cupboard gets used for its intended purpose (whatever that is, I haven't kept up to date with the 197s) then it will hopefully be worth it.

197112 was taunting me in Crewe this morning, while waiting on 158825 on the heavily delayed 1030 from Manchester. It really is late, I think the 1130 is chasing our tail lights! Each day that goes by gets us closer to 197s on the north to south route I am trying to increase my patience waiting for them, now I know what's coming to my longer journeys I'm very excited.

I'm even considering a freedom of South Wales rover for when they come en-masse to my patch, I'm already keen to fill my book!

I was getting very impatient too but ive come to the conclusion it wont likely happen until December on the Manchester to West Wales. Hopefully we will get a few on some services that start/end in Cardiff e.g to Holyhead and Swanline from May onwards.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Apr 2023 ==

Bold: It's used for stabling the trolley when not going up and down, has a water tank and storage for food, including a fridge.

Hopefully there will be an improved selection of drinks and hot food once the new catering is fully rolled out.

Currently do the old trolleys just get used on the 197s on North Wales-Manchester or is there just no catering at present? There wasn't a trolley on either of the services i went on.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Apr 2023 ==

More than anything they need to get rid of the Arriva coloured nameboard at 75% of stations!

Agreed. The stations which have the TFW branding look super smart compared to those that dont. Swansea and Bridgend are the 2 near me that have the full TFW branding now

 

[Anonymous10]

I was getting very impatient too but ive come to the conclusion it wont likely happen until December on the Manchester to West Wales. Hopefully we will get a few on some services that start/end in Cardiff e.g to Holyhead and Swanline from May onwards.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Apr 2023 ==


Hopefully there will be an improved selection of drinks and hot food once the new catering is fully rolled out.

Currently do the old trolleys just get used on the 197s on North Wales-Manchester or is there just no catering at present? There wasn't a trolley on either of the services i went on.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Apr 2023 ==


Agreed. The stations which have the TFW branding look super smart compared to those that dont. Swansea and Bridgend are the 2 near me that have the full TFW branding now

I don't think I've noticed it at Carmarthen which is a shame as it's a key connection point for local services and regional services for West Wales and heading east

 

[Jez]

I don't think I've noticed it at Carmarthen which is a shame as it's a key connection point for local services and regional services for West Wales and heading east

The last time I went to Carmarthen was around October last year and im pretty sure it didnt have TFW branding no,

 

[Jacob Porrett]

197106 left Donnington today and went to Crewe with 47830 doing the honours again. I've been told the 47 will be a regular on these moves at the moment. (That is the plan anyway)

 

[Jacob Porrett]

13x 197s at Donnington now. Mixture of two and three car units.

 

[Anonymous10]

The last time I went to Carmarthen was around October last year and im pretty sure it didnt have TFW branding no,

I was there last month, as a pembrokeshire native I pass through regularly.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

197047 arrived at Donnington RFT today.

Also 197 drag tomorrow https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R05841/2023-04-05/detailed

Realtime Trains | 4G47 1225 Donnington Rft to Crewe Bas Hall S.S.M. | 05/04/2023

Real-time train running information for 4G47 1225 departure from Donnington Rft to Crewe Bas Hall S.S.M. on 05/04/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

197047 arrived at Donnington RFT today.

Also 197 drag tomorrow https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R05841/2023-04-05/detailed

Realtime Trains | 4G47 1225 Donnington Rft to Crewe Bas Hall S.S.M. | 05/04/2023

Real-time train running information for 4G47 1225 departure from Donnington Rft to Crewe Bas Hall S.S.M. on 05/04/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Where have you got the number from sorry?

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Where have you got the number from sorry?

It was reported on Facebook as fully numbered already by sight.

 

[D7672]

197s full fleet may timetable change hopefully,as due to 175 issue's and space at Chester was told that Donnington is the holding location until sufficient space allows more units to be at Chester,1st 3 car set should be out soon for mileage accumulation

 

[Jacob Porrett]

197047 at Donnington Rail Freight Terminal today. (5/4/23) 15 units altogether now. Including 196114.

 

[The_Train]

197047 arrived at Donnington RFT today.

Also 197 drag tomorrow https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:R05841/2023-04-05/detailed

Realtime Trains | 4G47 1225 Donnington Rft to Crewe Bas Hall S.S.M. | 05/04/2023

Real-time train running information for 4G47 1225 departure from Donnington Rft to Crewe Bas Hall S.S.M. on 05/04/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Which unit was on the drag today? And has it remained at Basford Hall or gone on to Wolverton?

 

[FrodshamJnct]

Which unit was on the drag today? And has it remained at Basford Hall or gone on to Wolverton?

197109.

 

[The_Train]

197109.

Thanks - must admit I had that down as having gone to Basford Hall back in February

 

[DBS92042]

Thanks - must admit I had that down as having gone to Basford Hall back in February

197109 was in the consist of the 6Q51 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Crewe Basford Hall yesterday evening (04/04/23)

 

[The_Train]

197109 was in the consist of the 6Q51 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Crewe Basford Hall yesterday evening (04/04/23)

Yeah, I'd clearly missed it having gone on to Wolverton after moving to Basford Hall in Feb and yesterday it worked back to Crewe and then today onwards to Donnington for storage again.

Was 4G47 just a working for the barrier wagons?

 

[60159]

Yeah, I'd clearly missed it having gone on to Wolverton after moving to Basford Hall in Feb and yesterday it worked back to Crewe and then today onwards to Donnington for storage again.

Was 4G47 just a working for the barrier wagons?

I saw a 197 at Wolverton on Saturday. Would that be 109 or are there others at Wolverton.
Saw it from the Lidl car park.

 

[Bevan Price]

With more 197s available, the Liverpool/Runcorn/Chester service resumed today (5 April), probably for the first time since the "175 problems" started. Was too far away to identify unit on 13:47 from Liverpool, but RTT showed 197.009 allocated.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Yeah, I'd clearly missed it having gone on to Wolverton after moving to Basford Hall in Feb and yesterday it worked back to Crewe and then today onwards to Donnington for storage again.

Was 4G47 just a working for the barrier wagons?

Yes it was mate

 

[Pep and co]

With more 197s available, the Liverpool/Runcorn/Chester service resumed today (5 April), probably for the first time since the "175 problems" started. Was too far away to identify unit on 13:47 from Liverpool, but RTT showed 197.009 allocated.

I can confirm it was 009. Saw it arrive at lime Street just after 09:30 this morning

 

[anthony263]

Seemed to e about 9 class 197s in service today

 

[childwallblues]

I can confirm it was 009. Saw it arrive at lime Street just after 09:30 this morning

It is 197006 today.

 

[Jez]

Just seen the 'Happy Valley' 197 pass through Briton Ferry.

Any news on when we can expect the next new diagrams for the Class 197s? I see they are back on Liverpool and Conwy Valley now which was probably the next step but we were told April for more and we are already a third of the way through April so it cant be much longer before we hear news?