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

[Bletchleyite]

Afternoon

Unusual to see a 7 car(in total) 197 - on such a late service - or has anyone seen it before?

Realtime Trains | 1D41 2136 Crewe to Holyhead | 28/08/2023

Real-time train running information for 1D41 2136 departure from Crewe to Holyhead on 28/08/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Dave

Probably a unit swap not entered correctly so both sets appear to be allocated on RTT. This happens a lot.

 

[Welshguy1048]

Probably a unit swap not entered correctly so both sets appear to be allocated on RTT. This happens a lot.

Ahh. Okay.

Thanks.

Dave

 

[SuperLuke2334]

If RTT is to be believed, there was an 8 car 197 ran down to Cardiff from Holyhead yesterday

 

[william.martin]

Afternoon

Unusual to see a 7 car(in total) 197 - on such a late service - or has anyone seen it before?

Realtime Trains | 1D41 2136 Crewe to Holyhead | 28/08/2023

Real-time train running information for 1D41 2136 departure from Crewe to Holyhead on 28/08/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Dave

Now showing as 197044 + 197017

 

[craigybagel]

Afternoon

Unusual to see a 7 car(in total) 197 - on such a late service - or has anyone seen it before?

Realtime Trains | 1D41 2136 Crewe to Holyhead | 28/08/2023

Real-time train running information for 1D41 2136 departure from Crewe to Holyhead on 28/08/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Dave

If RTT is to be believed, there was an 8 car 197 ran down to Cardiff from Holyhead yesterday

Apart from Chester - Manchester Airport where the limit is 5, 197s aren't yet permitted to work in service with more than 4 cars.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Apart from Chester - Manchester Airport where the limit is 5, 197s aren't yet permitted to work in service with more than 4 cars.

I think if it's more than 4 car for whatever reason, coaches have to be locked out? But I may be wrong there.

 

[sd0733]

I think if it's more than 4 car for whatever reason, coaches have to be locked out? But I may be wrong there.

As it stands yes. Unfortunately due to the lack of coach end doors it has to be a whole set locked out.
Most of the network will eventually go to 6 car approved but above that wont be approved for passenger service.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

As it stands yes. Unfortunately due to the lack of coach end doors it has to be a whole set locked out.
Most of the network will eventually go to 6 car approved but above that wont be approved for passenger service.

I thought as much, thanks

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Realtime Trains | 6Q97 1014 Donnington Rft to Crewe Bas Hall S.S.M. | 31/08/2023

Real-time train running information for 6Q97 1014 departure from Donnington Rft to Crewe Bas Hall S.S.M. on 31/08/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

70016 is dragging 197116 to Crewe today from Donnington. The first of the 1st Class units to leave Donnington.

 

[Philip]

197101 worked the 16:52 Chester to Manchester Pic and 18:44 return yesterday.

 

[60159]

197101 worked the 16:52 Chester to Manchester Pic and 18:44 return yesterday.

Saw it today.
045 went thru’ and 051 on shed.

 

[sd0733]

197024 and 050 are now on mileage accumulation
024 whilst in the ERTMS batch hasn't got it fitted as it's in 003. For some reason it's also been debranded, branding was fitted as can still see where they were.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

197024 and 050 are now on mileage accumulation
024 whilst in the ERTMS batch hasn't got it fitted as it's in 003. For some reason it's also been debranded, branding was fitted as can still see where they were.

How odd! I wonder if 003 and 024 will swap equipment when testing is done?

 

[Anonymous10]

197024 and 050 are now on mileage accumulation
024 whilst in the ERTMS batch hasn't got it fitted as it's in 003. For some reason it's also been debranded, branding was fitted as can still see where they were.

Maybe a colour error or a clue it may get a special livery?

 

[sd0733]

How odd! I wonder if 003 and 024 will swap equipment when testing is done?

I believe the intention is eventually have a consecutive batch of ERTMS units to avoid complications when diagramming etc.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Sep 2023 ==

Maybe a colour error or a clue it may get a special livery?

Not sure if I'm honest. More than likely there was just an issue spotted after application rather than the special livery

 

[Anonymous10]

I believe the intention is eventually have a consecutive batch of ERTMS units to avoid complications when diagramming etc.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Sep 2023 ==


Not sure if I'm honest. More than likely there was just an issue spotted after application rather than the special livery

I'd expect its an issue but both are possibilities.

 

[craigybagel]

Nice to see CAF demonstrating how easy it is to swap ERTMS equipment between units, which hopefully might calm some of those who keep worrying about capacity constraints on the Cambrian.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Nice to see CAF demonstrating how easy it is to swap ERTMS equipment between units, which hopefully might calm some of those who keep worrying about capacity constraints on the Cambrian.

I quite agree!

 

[Techniquest]

Was today (01/09/2023)'s 1930 Manchester Piccadilly-Cardiff Central meant to be a pair of 197/0s? At one stage of the day, I'd looked to see what was on it on RTT and I saw 197012 allocated. I sure didn't expect to find 197047 on the back when I arrived in Hereford on that service!

 

[Anonymous10]

Was today (01/09/2023)'s 1930 Manchester Piccadilly-Cardiff Central meant to be a pair of 197/0s? At one stage of the day, I'd looked to see what was on it on RTT and I saw 197012 allocated. I sure didn't expect to find 197047 on the back when I arrived in Hereford on that service!

Rtt has also introduced a 197 graphic which is nice.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Was today (01/09/2023)'s 1930 Manchester Piccadilly-Cardiff Central meant to be a pair of 197/0s? At one stage of the day, I'd looked to see what was on it on RTT and I saw 197012 allocated. I sure didn't expect to find 197047 on the back when I arrived in Hereford on that service!

I too was a bit surprised by that 4 car 197 earlier today (although on RTT it was showing both units). I'm not sure how much double 197s have made their way down to Cardiff in passenger service, if at all.

 

[Techniquest]

Rtt has also introduced a 197 graphic which is nice.

Indeed, it's been a long awaited addition, and I'm not used to it being there yet!

I too was a bit surprised by that 4 car 197 earlier today (although on RTT it was showing both units). I'm not sure how much double 197s have made their way down to Cardiff in passenger service, if at all.

There's been a good number of pairs of 197s to Cardiff on North-South Wales workings, I've been on some, but I was of the impression the inward working (arrival at Piccadilly 1915) was meant to be a pair, then split with one doing the 1930 and the other the 2030 from Manchester.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

There's been a good number of pairs of 197s to Cardiff on North-South Wales workings, I've been on some, but I was of the impression the inward working (arrival at Piccadilly 1915) was meant to be a pair, then split with one doing the 1930 and the other the 2030 from Manchester.

Ah yes I felt I was missing something. Typically that pair does split.
Looks like the 19:30 was the 197 pair and the 20:30 was 67012+HD05 (only to Crewe then 197042)

 

[Techniquest]

Ah yes I felt I was missing something. Typically that pair does split.
Looks like the 19:30 was the 197 pair and the 20:30 was 67012+HD05 (only to Crewe then 197042)

Ah fair enough, I wondered what would happen to the 2030. I was a bit surprised that 67012 made it to Manchester a fair bit quicker than the night before, but that's a wee bit off-topic

 

[sd0733]

197045 and 046 have also joined the fleet now.

That puts accepted units to 32 (27 2 car and 5 3 car) with 197001/002/004/006-021/042-049, 197101/104/110-112 accepted.

 

[Bob Price]

I read somewhere that the 175/0's have now all gone and saw am image of a pair of 150's on Manchester service so TfW must be feeling a little more flush with stock than they did. I see more 197's on the test runs each day so I guess more will start soon.

 

[60159]

Was today (01/09/2023)'s 1930 Manchester Piccadilly-Cardiff Central meant to be a pair of 197/0s? At one stage of the day, I'd looked to see what was on it on RTT and I saw 197012 allocated. I sure didn't expect to find 197047 on the back when I arrived in Hereford on that service!

I was in them 12.21 Holyhead Chester and certainly left north tho’ don’t know train.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Sep 2023 ==

I was in them 12.21 Holyhead Chester and certainly left north tho’ don’t know train.

Sorry, Holyhead-Cardiff from Chester,

 

[sd0733]

I read somewhere that the 175/0's have now all gone and saw am image of a pair of 150's on Manchester service so TfW must be feeling a little more flush with stock than they did. I see more 197's on the test runs each day so I guess more will start soon.

There's a few extra units than there were but certainly not close to being flush with stock! It's just a little closer to covering the train plan. Weekends really can't cope with 2 cars of any kind on a Cardiff-Manchester and that's without being the only operator to Manchester from Crewe.

There are normally 4 or 5 197s which aren't accepted yet but out on testing/acceptance. Believe the current ones are 024/050/051/105/106 which if all goes to plan should join the fleet fairly soon.

 

[Anonymous10]

I read somewhere that the 175/0's have now all gone and saw am image of a pair of 150's on Manchester service so TfW must be feeling a little more flush with stock than they did. I see more 197's on the test runs each day so I guess more will start soon.

And a double 158 on milford Haven to Crewe today.

 

[sd0733]

There's an increase in 197 diagrams again tomorrow up from 20 to 23 in passenger service (plus 4 training units)
Most look to be strengthening in the North but after reverting to a 15x recently 1W91/1V96 goes over to a 3 car 197 diagram.