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

[tfw756rider]

As far as im aware those 6 car runs were the last of the test runs and the sets are there for depot/ststic training.
Full crew training starts soon so wouldnt expect a huge amout to happen until then.

Many thanks, can you tell us how soon? Sometime in April 2026 I'm guessing?

 

[sd0733]

Many thanks, can you tell us how soon? Sometime in April 2026 I'm guessing?

Yes, last week in April through to mid August is the current intention ready for entry into service in September.

 

[158822]

3C07 ran from Pwllheli to Machynlleth. I saw 4 cars but didn’t see the numbers.

 

[tfw756rider]

3C07 ran from Pwllheli to Machynlleth. I saw 4 cars but didn’t see the numbers.

Realtime Trains | 3C06 1603 Machynlleth to Pwllheli | 30/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 3C06 1603 departure from Machynlleth to Pwllheli on 30/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3C07 1832 Pwllheli to Machynlleth | 30/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 3C07 1832 departure from Pwllheli to Machynlleth on 30/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Thanks for letting us know. Unfortunately I wasn't aware of these, as they caught me out by being from Machynlleth (MCN) to Pwllheli and back, rather than from Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs (XMC) to Pwllheli and back (so it's now better to search for "mcn detailed" and filter by Non-passenger services).

However, there are some more Cambrian Coast/Pwllheli runs on the system:

Realtime Trains | 3C06 1558 Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Pwllheli | 06/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 3C06 1558 departure from Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Pwllheli on 06/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3C07 1832 Pwllheli to Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs | 06/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 3C07 1832 departure from Pwllheli to Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs on 06/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3C06 1558 Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Pwllheli | 08/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 3C06 1558 departure from Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Pwllheli on 08/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3C07 1832 Pwllheli to Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs | 08/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 3C07 1832 departure from Pwllheli to Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs on 08/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Mar 2026 ==

Yes, last week in April through to mid August is the current intention ready for entry into service in September.

Many thanks.

Are you able to see which 197s worked today's (30/3/26) 3C06 and 3C07, even though they're not showing on Realtime Trains?

With three 197s (197024, 197029 and 197030) believed to currently be on the Cambrian but @158822 implying that they were 2-unit workings, it could've been any combination of:

• 197024+197029
• 197024+197030
• 197029+197030

 

[sd0733]

Many thanks.

Are you able to see which 197s worked today's (30/3/26) 3C06 and 3C07, even though they're not showing on Realtime Trains?

With three 197s (197024, 197029 and 197030) believed to currently be on the Cambrian but @158822 implying that they were 2-unit workings, it could've been any combination of:

• 197024+197029
• 197024+197030
• 197029+197030

Showing as 197029 and 030.
Not too sure of the purpose of these extra runs!

 

[158822]

3C06 and 3C07 Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Pwllheli and back now appear to be scheduled for this evening.

 

[tfw756rider]

3C06 and 3C07 Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Pwllheli and back now appear to be scheduled for this evening.

Realtime Trains | 3C06 1557 Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Pwllheli | 01/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 3C06 1557 departure from Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Pwllheli on 01/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3C07 1832 Pwllheli to Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs | 01/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 3C07 1832 departure from Pwllheli to Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs on 01/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Many thanks for letting us know Here are the subsequent ones:

Realtime Trains | 3C06 1558 Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Pwllheli | 06/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 3C06 1558 departure from Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Pwllheli on 06/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3C07 1832 Pwllheli to Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs | 06/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 3C07 1832 departure from Pwllheli to Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs on 06/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3C06 1558 Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Pwllheli | 08/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 3C06 1558 departure from Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Pwllheli on 08/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3C07 1832 Pwllheli to Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs | 08/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 3C07 1832 departure from Pwllheli to Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs on 08/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

For some reason, they're now all showing as "Parcels" rather than "Empty Coaching Stock".

 

[Harpo]

I can't see any. By the way, if you want to look for yourself, go on Realtime Trains and enter into the Quick Search box "xmc detailed" (without quotes), change to "All day" and go through the week on the date selector, looking for "3C" headcodes.

The above will cover the usual Machynlleth-based runs, whereas for anything Shrewsbury/Crewe-only based, you'd additionally need to enter into the Quick Search box "wlp detailed" and filter by "Non-passenger services". "3Q" headcodes were used for the ETCS mileage accumulation runs.

@sd0733 will sometimes very kindly inform us that the runs are on the internal system before they go out to the publicly viewable data.

Filtering for STP only by clicking WTT and VSTP ‘off’ narrows searches down too.

 

[tfw756rider]

3C06 and 3C07 Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Pwllheli and back now appear to be scheduled for this evening.

Unfortunately they didn't run. Hopefully the ones on the 6/4/26 and/or the 8/4/26 do run.

 

[sd0733]

197038 has entered service on 06:21 Wrexham to Bidston this morning.

 

[nigelsporne]

Good to see the new units spreading their wings. 197032 in Brum later after 25 yesterday.

 

[tfw756rider]

197038 has entered service on 06:21 Wrexham to Bidston this morning.

Thanks for letting us know

The entry-to-service of 197038 today (Thu 2/4/26) now means that 74 (of 77) 197s have been in service @Peter Sarf and everyone.

48 (of 51) 2-car 197s have been in service:
All 30 non-ETCS 2-cars (197001-002, 197004-021, 197042-051)
18 (of 21) ETCS-fitted 2-cars (197003, 197022-038)

All 26 3-car 197s have been in service:
All 12 188-seat 3-cars (197101-112)
All 14 174-seat 3-cars (197113-126)

The number of 197s still to enter service is down to 3, all of which are ETCS-fitted 2-cars:
197039-041 (all 3 of these units have been delivered)

==============================

The overall number of new Transport for Wales (TfW) trains that have been in service is now up to 109 (of 148):

74 (of 77) 197s
48 (of 51) 197/0s

• All 30 non-ETCS 197/0s
• 18 (of 21) ETCS-fitted 197/0s

All 26 197/1s

• All 12 188-seat 197/1s
• All 14 174-seat 197/1s

All 11 231s

All 24 756s
All 7 756/0s
All 17 756/1s

This leaves 39 new TfW trains still to enter service:

3 197/0s (all of which are ETCS-fitted units)
36 398s

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Apr 2026 ==

Fri 3/4/26 22:05 - 197024 and 197030 in Machynlleth sidings, and 197029 in Machynlleth old lcocomotive shed.

 

[Gordonman]

197039 5Z39 Chester TMD - Shrewsbury Sidings 03/04/2026

 

[anthony263]

Tfw will need a lot of industrial strength cleaners to sort 197045. Its been dumped in landore since it suffered a gearbox fault last August at Carmarthen.

All I can say it needs health warnings stickers put on it based on how moldy the inside of the unit has become

 

[sd0733]

197039 5Z39 Chester TMD - Shrewsbury Sidings 03/04/2026

I believe its then gone over to Chester on https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:65609/2026-04-03/detailed. Now 75 197s accepted, just 040 and 041 left.

Ignore that! It looks to be still stabled at Shrewsbury

 

[positron]

Tfw will need a lot of industrial strength cleaners to sort 197045. Its been dumped in landore since it suffered a gearbox fault last August at Carmarthen.

All I can say it needs health warnings stickers put on it based on how moldy the inside of the unit has become

Genuine question what's the approach with this sort of thing? Is it actually just a lot of mould killer and a deep clean or does it need more serious work now like replacement seat covers?

Id have expected they'd be able to get the factory seat protectors back on the thing while it's waiting?

 

[Russel]

Tfw will need a lot of industrial strength cleaners to sort 197045. Its been dumped in landore since it suffered a gearbox fault last August at Carmarthen.

All I can say it needs health warnings stickers put on it based on how moldy the inside of the unit has become

I always find it shocking how assets worth millions of pounds can just be dumped for months on end.

 

[Envoy]

I always find it shocking how assets worth millions of pounds can just be dumped for months on end.

Yes, and today they have had to cancel all Newport to Ebbw Vale trains due to a lack of rolling stock. Some Swansea to Cardiff stoppers are being operated by 150’s and 153’s (2 car) operating some Maesteg to Ebbw Vale services. Some Cardiff to Cheltenham services also being operated by a 2 car 150.

2 car 197’s can be found on many Holyhead to Cardiff (& vice versa) trips today and some of the Manchester’s are down to 3 cars on the Marches today.

How can it be with all these train shortages that TFW leave a new 197 needing repairs parked up for months on end at Landore and deteriorating at the same time?

 

[Caaardiff]

Yes, and today they have had to cancel all Newport to Ebbw Vale trains due to a lack of rolling stock. Some Swansea to Cardiff stoppers are being operated by 150’s and 153’s (2 car) operating some Maesteg to Ebbw Vale services. Some Cardiff to Cheltenham services also being operated by a 2 car 150.

2 car 197’s can be found on many Holyhead to Cardiff (& vice versa) trips today and some of the Manchester’s are down to 3 cars on the Marches today.

How can it be with all these train shortages that TFW leave a new 197 needing repairs parked up for months on end at Landore and deteriorating at the same time?

It's been replaced by an ETCS unit since it came out of service.

 

[Envoy]

It's been replaced by an ETCS unit since it came out of service.

Well that’s some consolation but it still appears that TFW are well down on the required rolling stock.

 

[Jez]

Well that’s some consolation but it still appears that TFW are well down on the required rolling stock.

I noticed that about Newport-Ebbw Vale. Its not ideal telling people to go to Cardiff and change trains.

I wonder why so many trains are out of service - you would think the 4 extra 197's coming into service would have helped things. I realise its probably 1 in 1 out in terms of the total number in service but if any are out of service long term like 197045 for example another unit (on paper) could be covering for it in the pool of trains that are available.

The Pembroke Dock-Swansea-Cardiff service looks to be covered by 197s- its just the booked Sprinters on some of the Swanline's that dont interact with Pembroke. There are indeed 150s and 153s on Maesteg-Ebbw and Cheltenham. I guess thats why there arent enough to cover the Ebbw Vale-Newport service. Also 197s are covering for MK4's again so that isnt helping.

 

[amahy]

How can it be with all these train shortages that TFW leave a new 197 needing repairs parked up for months on end at Landore and deteriorating at the same time?

Because for what ever reason, TfW think that 197 maintenance has to be confined to Chester depot and nowhere else, instead of doing the sensible thing, and having some units based at Cardiff Canton. Whoever came up with the idea of having all units undergo maintenance at Chester really needs firing.

 

[Jez]

Because for what ever reason, TfW think that 197 maintenance has to be confined to Chester depot and nowhere else, instead of doing the sensible thing, and having some units based at Cardiff Canton. Whoever came up with the idea of having all units undergo maintenance at Chester really needs firing.

I wouldnt go as far as to say they should be fired but they certainly should have had a 197 depot in the South (or allowed Canton to take some of them on) given the heavy use of 197s in the South. I was in Carmarthen the other day and (aside from the GWR) every single train I saw was a 197. The depot is miles away in Chester!

 

[Harpo]

Because for what ever reason, TfW think that 197 maintenance has to be confined to Chester depot and nowhere else, instead of doing the sensible thing, and having some units based at Cardiff Canton. Whoever came up with the idea of having all units undergo maintenance at Chester really needs firing.

Continuing a long Welsh tradition of not maintaining units where most journeys start or finish, then fudging the inevitable outcomes with set swaps, routinely forcing passengers to change trains on through services. I’ve not come across this mode of operation with any other operator.

 

[amahy]

I wouldnt go as far as to say they should be fired but they certainly should have had a 197 depot in the South (or allowed Canton to take some of them on) given the heavy use of 197s in the South. I was in Carmarthen the other day and (aside from the GWR) every single train I saw was a 197. The depot is miles away in Chester!

Agreed. I find it weird that a whole new depot was built at Taffs Well was built for the 398s, and a new stabling facility was built at Barry for the 231s and 756s. But zero consideration was made for the maintenance of the 197s, which are a far bigger fleet than either of the 231s, 756s, and 398s.

Continuing a long Welsh tradition of not maintaining units where most journeys start or finish, then fudging the inevitable outcomes with set swaps, routinely forcing passengers to change trains on through services. I’ve not come across this mode of operation with any other operator.

Indeed. I remember a few years ago, when TfW went through a phase of set swapping every other Manchester - South Wales service at Shrewsbury. Fortunately, this seems to be a lot less common now, but there are still frequent set swaps on Birmingham services, due to the shortage of ETCS fitted units.

 

[craigybagel]

As originally planned, 197s weren't supposed to be visiting South Wales all that much. The 231s were supposed to be covering the non Valleys short distance services from Cardiff, and 170s everything in West Wales. 197s were only meant to visit from the Marches and their extensions to Milford Haven. Not enough to justify a depot when they'd only need stabling and overnight light maintenance - the same as with the 175s.

Obviously things have changed - the 231s are late and the 170s long gone, with 197s doing a lot more South Wales work than was ever intended.

 

[Meole]

Bizarre TFW employing staff at Chester in England to support a Welsh service, surely the depot should be in Wales ?

 

[amahy]

As originally planned, 197s weren't supposed to be visiting South Wales all that much. The 231s were supposed to be covering the non Valleys short distance services from Cardiff, and 170s everything in West Wales. 197s were only meant to visit from the Marches and their extensions to Milford Haven. Not enough to justify a depot when they'd only need stabling and overnight light maintenance - the same as with the 175s.

Obviously things have changed - the 231s are late and the 170s long gone, with 197s doing a lot more South Wales work than was ever intended.

Surely, when TfW handed back it's 170s, they should've been action stations, in getting Cardiff Canton ready for some 197s to transfer? Instead of the current situation, where Canton will be basically empty before we know it, while Chester is bursting at the seams.

 

[craigybagel]

Bizarre TFW employing staff at Chester in England to support a Welsh service, surely the depot should be in Wales ?

Chester is the hub of the network, at least in terms of routes the 197s will be serving in the long term. That trumps any decision over which country their staff should be residing in. Nowhere else on the network either side of the border makes sense.
Incidentally, between traincrew, station, maintenance and support staff there's probably close to a 4 figure number of employees based in England. Should they all be let go in favour of Welsh people?
Bear in mind it is a rail network for Wales & Borders, not just the principality.

Surely, when TfW handed back it's 170s, they should've been action stations, in getting Cardiff Canton ready for some 197s to transfer? Instead of the current situation, where Canton will be basically empty before we know it, while Chester is bursting at the seams.

It's not as though Canton can't do anything with the 197s, it's just for heavier maintenance they need to go north. Ramping up Canton for more would likely have been challenging to do soon enough for it to be of any use.

The plans in place would have been fine if the 231s were in service on mainline routes and the ETCS 197s on the Cambrian and being maintained at Machynlleth, which was supposed to have happened by now. Once all of that fails into place, things should be a lot better.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Bizarre TFW employing staff at Chester in England to support a Welsh service, surely the depot should be in Wales ?

It's not a Welsh service, it's a Wales & Borders service.
Chester is all of 2 miles from the Welsh border, and I expect the CAF depot there employs Welsh residents as well as English.
There is a lot of cross-border business across the River Dee, both ways.