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

[Gordonman]

A couple of other moves today.

197110 5T11 Cardiff Canton - Chester TMD (This has been stopped for a while)
197027 5D97 Holyhead Sidings - Chester TMD (This has been stored at Holyhead for a while)

Must be some spare capacity at Chester!!

It is becoming quite difficult to keep up to date with the units being transferred to Holyhead for store.TFW now just seem to tag the units onto a passenger service rather than create and use a separate path.So unless you are continually checking Trust,these are easily missed.

So,can anyone provide a definitive list of what is stored there currently?I estimate 9 or 10 units.

I have 022,028,033,035,036 nd 123 definately there at Holyhead.

I have 006,014,027,031,046,047,110,113 and 125 at Chester but 031 is probably at Holyhead

I have 020 at Canton

I have 024,029,030 at Mach

I have 039 at Shrewsbury

Just 008 and 125 unaccounted for with no location known.

All others have been in passenger service this week

 

[MP393]

031 is probably at Holyhead


Just 008 and 125 unaccounted for with no location known.

031 & 125 are both at Holyhead.
No location for 008 sorry.

 

[Techniquest]

I got 197041 yesterday on a leap from Hereford to Abergavenny, my penultimate 197 and I’m already wondering how I will celebrate getting the last one. I never expected to get this far with the 197s before stepping foot on a 398!

Thanks to the kind person for posting about its entry to service yesterday! Bring on 197039 now!

 

[Jez]

I got 197041 yesterday on a leap from Hereford to Abergavenny, my penultimate 197 and I’m already wondering how I will celebrate getting the last one. I never expected to get this far with the 197s before stepping foot on a 398!

Thanks to the kind person for posting about its entry to service yesterday! Bring on 197039 now!

I still need 5 out of 77 of the 197s. Hopefully I can get the missing ones soon. I never imagined it would be so easy to get them as expected to have to do many Birmingham/Shrewsbury trips to get them!

 

[Techniquest]

I still need 5 out of 77 of the 197s. Hopefully I can get the missing ones soon. I never imagined it would be so easy to get them as expected to have to do many Birmingham/Shrewsbury trips to get them!

That was my expectation last year too, when I was last on the Cambrian Coast a tiny bit over a year ago. I expected that to be my last time exploring the area on a 158, it might well still be the case but I was expecting to red pen 197s on things like Newtown to Welshpool or Machynlleth to Dovey Junction leap. Not complaining mind!

 

[Jez]

That was my expectation last year too, when I was last on the Cambrian Coast a tiny bit over a year ago. I expected that to be my last time exploring the area on a 158, it might well still be the case but I was expecting to red pen 197s on things like Newtown to Welshpool or Machynlleth to Dovey Junction leap. Not complaining mind!

It makes it a lot easier for me being in South Wales although in the early days of the 197s i used to go out and get every new one as soon as possible when they came into service once they were in the South. I even went to Chester to get a few before they went anywhere near South Wales.

I need to make sure I get the last 5 (032 and 038-041) before they take them off main line services for the Cambrian!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jun 2026 ==

Does anyone know why there is a three car 197 in the sidings just after Port Talbot (the Margam end of Port Talbot). I noticed it when passing there earlier. Unfortunately I didn't get the number.

Just an unusual place to see one parked up unless this is engineering works which there isnt today.

 

[sd0733]

Does anyone know why there is a three car 197 in the sidings just after Port Talbot (the Margam end of Port Talbot). I noticed it when passing there earlier. Unfortunately I didn't get the number.

197107 it failed yesterday on 1W22 and ended up dumped there with electrical issues and unable to be assisted to Canton.

 

[Jez]

197107 it failed yesterday on 1W22 and ended up dumped there with electrical issues and unable to be assisted to Canton.

Thanks @sd0733

 

[Peter Sarf]

I still need 5 out of 77 of the 197s. Hopefully I can get the missing ones soon. I never imagined it would be so easy to get them as expected to have to do many Birmingham/Shrewsbury trips to get them!

+

It makes it a lot easier for me being in South Wales although in the early days of the 197s i used to go out and get every new one as soon as possible when they came into service once they were in the South. I even went to Chester to get a few before they went anywhere near South Wales.

I need to make sure I get the last 5 (032 and 038-041) before they take them off main line services for the Cambrian!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jun 2026 ==

Does anyone know why there is a three car 197 in the sidings just after Port Talbot (the Margam end of Port Talbot). I noticed it when passing there earlier. Unfortunately I didn't get the number.

Just an unusual place to see one parked up unless this is engineering works which there isnt today.

I have family in Cardiff so each time I go down I am in danger of being somewhat distracted !.

I never thought I would see many, if any, of the Cambrian 197s in South Wales. Turns out the delay in 398s has been "useful" for me !.

I am left wondering how I missed out on 197030 - it might not have done a passenger service for over a year ?.
I am hoping 197039 puts a stint in soon on normal passenger work - its the only 197 afaikt that has never been used on a passenger service !.

 

[tfw756rider]

I still need 5 out of 77 of the 197s. Hopefully I can get the missing ones soon. I never imagined it would be so easy to get them as expected to have to do many Birmingham/Shrewsbury trips to get them!

I'm now 62 down (including 197041 on its first day in service), 15 to go (197013/023/025/026/032/034/038/116 of the ones that were in service that day, and 197003/027/028/030/035/040 of the ones that weren't, and of course 197039 which hasn't yet entered service).

But my first 197 ride wasn't until September 2023, and until the 5/6/26, I hadn't ridden on a 197 since February 2026.

 

[tfw756rider]

197041 is indeed on the 05:54 Crewe to Milford Haven according to RTT.

Thanks for letting us know

The entry-to-service of 197041 on Fri 5/6/26 now means that 76 (of 77) 197s have been in service.

50 (of 51) 2-car 197s have been in service:
All 30 non-ETCS 2-cars (197001-002, 197004-021, 197042-051)
20 (of 21) ETCS-fitted 2-cars (197003, 197022-038, 197040-041)

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 1, which is an ETCS-fitted 2-car:
197039 (this unit has been delivered and accepted)

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

The overall number of new Transport for Wales (TfW) trains that have been in service is now up to 111 (of 148):

76 (of 77) 197s
50 (of 51) 197/0s

• All 30 non-ETCS 197/0s
• 20 (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 37 new TfW trains still to enter service:

1 197/0 (which is an ETCS-fitted unit)
36 398s

 

[childwallblues]

Checking back through allocations on RTT I noted that on Tuesday IF92 0644 Llandudno Junction to Liverpool Lime Street was cancelled. The return 1D02 0847 Lime Street to Llandudno was also cancelled but restarted at Chester with 158833 bringing the unusual sight later on of a TfW Class 158 to Liverpool these days.

 

[Along the bay]

Checking back through allocations on RTT I noted that on Tuesday IF92 0644 Llandudno Junction to Liverpool Lime Street was cancelled. The return 1D02 0847 Lime Street to Llandudno was also cancelled but restarted at Chester with 158833 bringing the unusual sight later on of a TfW Class 158 to Liverpool these days.

158833 and 158837 both worked through to Liverpool that day, both being detached from Birmingham - Llandudno Junction services at Chester and following their original service in the Liverpool path.

833 swapped with a 197 on its return from Liverpool as that diagram didn't end in Chester, but 837 stayed out all day.

 

[childwallblues]

158833 and 158837 both worked through to Liverpool that day, both being detached from Birmingham - Llandudno Junction services at Chester and following their original service in the Liverpool path.

833 swapped with a 197 on its return from Liverpool as that diagram didn't end in Chesmter, but 837 stayed out all day

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Jun 2026 ==

Many thanks for your update. I passed throuh Chester on Tuesday at 1230 and noted 197105 in Platform 5 with Liverpool Lime Street as its destination. I assume that would be the swap with 158833.

 

[Bikeman78]

Checking back through allocations on RTT I noted that on Tuesday IF92 0644 Llandudno Junction to Liverpool Lime Street was cancelled. The return 1D02 0847 Lime Street to Llandudno was also cancelled but restarted at Chester with 158833 bringing the unusual sight later on of a TfW Class 158 to Liverpool these days.

158s have been to Liverpool, Llandudno, and Mancheser Airport in the past week.

 

[sd0733]

197107 it failed yesterday on 1W22 and ended up dumped there with electrical issues and unable to be assisted to Canton.

3 days on and a clearly very broken 197107 still sits in Port Talbot with security, unable to be fixed.

Expected that it may be able to drive from the West end cab to get it to Landore for recovery. The loco adaptor has also been readied for a possible, and somewhat ironic, rescue by the Thunderbird 67 if that doesnt prove possible.

No doubt another to add to the list of out of service ones.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

3 days on and a clearly very broken 197107 still sits in Port Talbot with security, unable to be fixed.

Expected that it may be able to drive from the West end cab to get it to Landore for recovery. The loco adaptor has also been readied for a possible, and somewhat ironic, rescue by the Thunderbird 67 if that doesnt prove possible.

No doubt another to add to the list of out of service ones.

A rare sight if it happens. 67 dragging 197.

 

[Geeves]

No doubt it is waiting for the boffins from CAF to come from Chester to work their magic. You can imagine they need to isolate various things below and in the TMS and the Mechanical transmission is sometimes an issue. One common thing I hear regards to their 195 cousins from the fitters is that the "ARG" axle reverse gear locks up if the engine cannot run (due to needing the oil pump to be running to supply lubrication) so must be disconnected. I cannot imagine its a simple job but I don't know

 

[XFeed]

No doubt it is waiting for the boffins from CAF to come from Chester to work their magic. You can imagine they need to isolate various things below and in the TMS and the Mechanical transmission is sometimes an issue. One common thing I hear regards to their 195 cousins from the fitters is that the "ARG" axle reverse gear locks up if the engine cannot run (due to needing the oil pump to be running to supply lubrication) so must be disconnected. I cannot imagine its a simple job but I don't know

197s ARG`s are air operated and have an air isolation cock near to bogie 2 along with a air valve push button to release the ARG on top of the final drive.

 

[Anonymous10]

3 days on and a clearly very broken 197107 still sits in Port Talbot with security, unable to be fixed.

Expected that it may be able to drive from the West end cab to get it to Landore for recovery. The loco adaptor has also been readied for a possible, and somewhat ironic, rescue by the Thunderbird 67 if that doesnt prove possible.

No doubt another to add to the list of out of service ones.

FIngers crossed it can be moved soon then as i have no doubt 24/7 security is not cheap.

 

[ajay1071]

Seen 197005 waiting at Port Talbot parkway ready to collect 197107.

 

[fodphil]

197041 failed at Rhyl this morning, didn't take long

 

[sd0733]

Seen 197005 waiting at Port Talbot parkway ready to collect 197107.

Its finally been made to be moveable with the faulty cab buried.
At least it was eventually able to be coupled rather than the rather more complex loco drags or going the wrong way to Landore.

 

[childwallblues]

197041 failed at Rhyl this morning, didn't take long

My Plan A yesterday was to take winning ride 197027 on the 0958 from Liverpool South Parkway to Abergele & Pensarn (a potential winning shack) and return with 197041. Another time maybe,

 

[Peter Sarf]

197039 has left Shrewesbury. It went on Sunday night (07/06/2026) to Machynlleth. Seems it might then have done a daytime test run from Machynlleth to Aberystwith and back.

I was on a trip yesterday and ended up at Shrewesbury in the afternoon knowing it was a wasted trip. But I found 197030 has turned up in the sidings there, looking very shiny and new !. Apparently 197030 swapped with 197039 at Shrewesbury - presumably on Sunday night.

I had been hoping for 197039 to do some normal passenger work away from ETCS as it has not had the last real test - exposure to passengers.

My hopes revolve around the 197s I need (all Cambrian ETCS capable - 197039 & 197041) ending up going into South Wales when I am in Cardiff visiting relatives. Obviously needs to happen before the 197s replace the 158s on Cambrian !.

 

[SWML9102]

197041 ran a few services yesterday afternoon, finishing on a Manchester Airport- Holyhead. Return working was cancelled though and today booked ecs back to Chester. Looks like it still has some issue.

 

[M60lad]

Not to sure what was wrong with it but 197019 developed problems last night while operating 16:02 Holyhead-Manchester Airport service, it seemed to have broken down between Ordsall Lane Junction and Water Street Junctions in Manchester causing delays to everything in the surrounding area with some services incurring delays of 60+ minutes or more.

Considering where it broke down it was affecting services in Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria areas.

It eventually managed to move and got terminated at Manchester Piccadilly before running empty back to Chester.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Realtime Trains | 3C11 1040 Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Shrewsbury | 19/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 3C11 1040 departure from Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Shrewsbury on 19/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3C12 1226 Shrewsbury to Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs | 19/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 3C12 1226 departure from Shrewsbury to Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs on 19/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

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197/s on test on the cambrian today.

 

[St. Paddy]

Realtime Trains | 3C11 1040 Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Shrewsbury | 19/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 3C11 1040 departure from Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Shrewsbury on 19/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3C12 1226 Shrewsbury to Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs | 19/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 3C12 1226 departure from Shrewsbury to Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs on 19/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

197/s on test on the cambrian today.

Or maybe Driver training

 

[Peter Sarf]

Realtime Trains | 3C11 1040 Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Shrewsbury | 19/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 3C11 1040 departure from Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Shrewsbury on 19/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 3C12 1226 Shrewsbury to Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs | 19/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 3C12 1226 departure from Shrewsbury to Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs on 19/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

197/s on test on the cambrian today.

Or is it a swap of 197s ?.
(I think it usually happens later at night though)
If I am up to date it would be 197030 leaving Shrewesbury and any of 197024, 199029 or 197039 going to Shrewesbury to replace 197030.