MP393
Member
Yes 197009 & 120 are (or were this weekend) over on the ETD for Tyre Turning
-
Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
CAF class 197 Civity for TfW: News and updates on introduction.
- Thread starter hexagon789
- Start date
Yes 197009 & 120 are (or were this weekend) over on the ETD for Tyre Turning
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
WirralLine
Member
Pretty sure the 230s go there for tyre turning also.
childwallblues
Established Member
Not there today.
tfw756rider
On Moderation
As some of you will know, I really like the 197s, despite their ride quality and any other flaws they have. I like the way they look, and sound with their MTU 1800 Series engines and ZF 6-speed gearboxes. I've now ridden on 51 of them.
However, the other day, I had my first ride on 197022, and, before it has even entered service on the Cambrian, the inner toilet seat lid doesn't stay up, and at least two of the "table seat" USB ports are broken (probably more, because of their location).
Then I had my 8th (!) ride on my stalker 197006, and the seat-back table next to a lady sitting the other side on my row of airline seats "kept" (not immediately) opening / folding itself down. She just left it open/down in the end.
However, the other day, I had my first ride on 197022, and, before it has even entered service on the Cambrian, the inner toilet seat lid doesn't stay up, and at least two of the "table seat" USB ports are broken (probably more, because of their location).
Then I had my 8th (!) ride on my stalker 197006, and the seat-back table next to a lady sitting the other side on my row of airline seats "kept" (not immediately) opening / folding itself down. She just left it open/down in the end.
Newly accepted 197036 sat down on 1B50 this evening, terminated at Bridgend. TFW journey check is reporting as an "operational incident" but appeared to be a train fault judging by the messages from the driver's cab. Did an emergency stop just outside Bridgend, then crawled into the platform 10 mins later and terminated. Anyone know what the cause was? First 197 I've been on that's failed in service.
WirralLine
Member
Operational incident, unit fine.
Ah ok. Hope the driver's ok. There was an automated message on repeat in the cab saying to contact a fitter, so I assumed it was the unit.
wythallpaul
Member
Friday 5th September. RTT shows 1V44 & 1W81 swapping trains at Newport (South Wales). Never noticed this happen before at this location. If 197036+197111 are needed at Chester for maintenance - talk about operating the Railway for your own convenience. It is still a busy time on a Friday Afternoon after all!
Set swaps happen every day all
Over the country, there will be a very valid reason to do it, it's not done just for fun.
Lewisham2221
Established Member
Is it still "operational convenience" if it prevents a service from being cancelled?
wythallpaul
Member
Would the very valid reason be to ensure that 2 trains of paying customers have a more enjoyable & relaxing journey? Wheelchair users, the elderly & families, Passengers with a lot of heavy luggage? Lets see what the respective Departure times of the 2 trains involved are from Newport (South Wales).
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
In this instance I cannot see which of these two services is in danger of being cancelled.
Last edited:
More likely it's to avoid a service on a later date being cancelled because a unit hasn’t managed to get back to Chester for attention ASAP.
Today's services on a number of routes were threatened with mass cancellations last night, this was only narrowly averted.
Does the unit have a fault? Does it maintenance requirements dictate it ends at a certain location tonight? Has the unit it self ended up on a wrong diagram due to other issues? If the unit ended up else where tonight instead of where it now will, would that have prevented it entering service tomorrow therefore causing cancellations!
Many many reasons the set swap will take place, and control staff will not of taken the decision lightly.
Yes it is a massive inconvenience to passengers having to swap trains, but a well planned swap with clear communication and staff helping etc can be done in a matter of minutes.
How funny, i was just about to make a post about this. I was looking forward to getting 197036 this evening as it passed Neath, lucky i double checked. I knew I should have got it last night but after a day at work I couldnt be bothered to go out again yesterday!
Seems a very odd place to switch sets, passengers getting on at Cardiff get settled for their journey and have to change 10-15 minutes later. The block between Newport and Chester over the weekend could be a reason, i guess they have to make sure the sets are the right side of the block for the weekend for where they are needed. But yes a much better way could have been found.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
I guess they would have had to cancel the Chester service if they had taken the other train out of service at Cardiff instead as there might not be anything else to replace it. And then swapped with the unit meant for the Chester service at Cardiff. Then they would have had to sent the other units to Chester on a later service and possibly ended with too many units in the South then.
I can see why they had to do it but its not very good for the customers!
Last edited:
A similar thing happened today at Swansea when the 1348 Fishguard and 1352 Newport were swapped. Both 2 car 197s. Boarded 197006 and got seat then the Conductor told us over the tannoy that it was swapping to the unit on platform 2. Assumed it would be 197021 which was sat empty on P2 but it was a unit further up the platform 197042 and had to the very far end of platform 2. It all seemed to go very smoothly, although could have been an issue for people with mobility issues. Its quite a walk to the far end of platform 2. In the end it was delayed around 10 minutes leaving Swansea.
The Conductor was very apologetic and then said there was no working toilet on the unit (197042) so that explained why it needed to be swapped. He said that a longer stop at Bridgend would be made for anyone who needed to use the facilities. I assume the unit will stay at Canton unless its something that can easily be fixed. Toilet issues seem to be one of the biggest reasons for sets being taken out of service or swapped around.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
The Conductor was very apologetic and then said there was no working toilet on the unit (197042) so that explained why it needed to be swapped. He said that a longer stop at Bridgend would be made for anyone who needed to use the facilities. I assume the unit will stay at Canton unless its something that can easily be fixed. Toilet issues seem to be one of the biggest reasons for sets being taken out of service or swapped around.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
I know there is a reason behind it but it just seems very odd the Chester service was swapped 10 or so minutes into its 3 hour journey. Usually any set swaps happen at Swansea, Cardiff, Crewe, Chester etc. Rather than Newport.
It's also worth noting that the Marches is closed this weekend which means that units that need to go to CAF for exams would either need to go on the Friday or wait until the Monday, which might have left them with insufficient mileage to support the weekend's services.
Do you know what additional checks?
WirralLine
Member
I was told it was suspension related but no idea, just word of mouth.
Could anyone here confirm that class 197s are NOT currently cleared for the Heart Of Wales Line (between Craven Arms and Morlais Junction or Hendy Junction, specifically)? If so, are there any plans to start (eg. gauging runs) this year? I’m thinking of going over to Llandeilo or Llandovery for some photography at some point (maybe next weekend, not sure yet) and want to avoid 197s, ECS or otherwise.
They aren't cleared. It's expected long term they will replace the 153's as they only have a limited life span. It has been rumoured to get them cleared on the HOW line so they can be used for additional service such as the royal welsh, as 175's have done previous, and also enable an alternative route if there's any big issues closing the marches line, but no firm plans have ever been announced.
craigybagel
Established Member
- Joined
- 25 Oct 2012
- Messages
- 5,827
Clearing shouldn't be too challenging, it'll be setting up the ASDO database and if necessary installing stop markers that will take time - and so far there's been more pressing needs for the people who do these things. I'd be surprised if they don't get cleared eventually though, hopefully before the 153s need replacing.
Agreed that they could do with getting them cleared at some point, as the 175s were, to help cycle units between north (Chester depot) and south particularly if the Marches is closed. I'm just hoping it won't be this year, for selfish reasons. Looks like I'm in luck there, thanks both for the confirmation. I'm not aware of 175s being used for the Royal Welsh specials though.
tfw756rider
On Moderation
Additionally, has anyone else noticed any 197s with loud brakes lately? Not the usual sound they make when braking to a stop, but a significantly louder one, that I swear I even "felt" from the inside when I was on a 197 like that?
FrodshamJnct
Established Member
Not something I’ve noticed, and I’m on them at least 8 times per week.
Jacob Porrett
Established Member
A new 197 at Donnington RFT now.
tfw756rider
On Moderation
Fair enough.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Nice, I'm guessing 197039? Or any of 197039/040/041?
Jacob Porrett
Established Member
197039 has been confirmed.