tfw756rider
On Moderation
If this is the reason (it might not be), then it should've been 197041 instead, as it's the newest 197 and the only 197 built in 2026.
-
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
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R
RailUK Forums
Looks like it had Gearbox issues at Wrexham on 21st July, made it to Cardiff and back then swapped out at Chester and now parked up at the back of the Middle yard ever since.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Theres updated ASDO software on some of the Cambrian units (not sure which) but those units cant multi with the others until the update is signed off and put on them all.
I ended up on 197113 tonight and noticed the standard plus branding has now been removed. It's the first time I've found myself in what was SP for a while. Is this the case on all units that has SP branding ? To be honest it just confused passengers so it's a good thing. Not people just have the bonus of a nicer seat. Tonight on the 1831 Swansea to Cardiff I was the only person in SP.
Unfortunately 197038 was swapped from the train I was going to catch this evening! Looks like they sent the 3 car to West Wales and detached the 2 car (197038) so that went back to Manchester rather than remained in the South. Frustrating!
Unfortunately 197038 was swapped from the train I was going to catch this evening! Looks like they sent the 3 car to West Wales and detached the 2 car (197038) so that went back to Manchester rather than remained in the South. Frustrating!
Last edited:
I was the only person in SP between Swansea and Neath and it made Swanline stops also.
The rest of the train was only moderately busy however.
tfw756rider
On Moderation
Thanks, hopefully 197045 isn't left to rot again...
Yeah, we know what the 'non-multi' crosses mean on the 197s on the Cambrian testing/training, but I saw someone on Facebook who saw one on a photo of 197039 on the coast and assumed that it had the normal meaning, so he was like "that's not good".
I was in the ex-Standard Plus area/cabin of 197120 on the North Wales Main/Coast Line in the late afternoon / early evening of Thu 13/8/26, but I didn't notice / can't remember whether it still had the Standard Plus branding or not.
Exactly half of the seats (8 of the 16) were occupied. The partition door stayed open for quite a while (so I assumed that it was set to stay open) but it did actually close eventually (and everyone was fine with it). The table lamps were even on, and some of the seats even still had the velcro'd-on head rest pads.
tfw756rider
On Moderation
The door was still closed and only opened when I walked through. The branding has been removed from the door also.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Excellent artwork. I remember seeing it when at Colwyn Bay a couple of years ago now.
Technically they can, they can work Birmingham - Llandudno services in the same way 150's used to and the 158's stay on the Cambrian parts.
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Is 197039 viewable at Machynlleth please.
tfw756rider
On Moderation
I believe that it's currently based there (I'll check in the next couple of days), but if it is (and isn't on a run), it should be viewable.
Please see post #10,766 for information on spots/tips to view/capture/get numbers of the 197s at Machynlleth depot, with example photos.
MrBeanie
Member
Is it a common thing to see a tfw 158 working Chester to Liverpool or Chester to Birmingham on a Sunday. I'd assumed these were 197 workings but saw 2 tfw 158's working out of Chester this afternoon. One on each route.
FrodshamJnct
Established Member
Uncommon for Chester to Liverpool - usually 197s but 158s occasionally deployed to cover the route.
158s operate Brum to Llandudno Jct on a regular basis, but Chester to Liverpool is an uncommon working for a 158 now
MrBeanie
Member
Thanks, hadn't realised they were getting up to Chester. Will have to check what's scheduled next time out.
tfw756rider
On Moderation
It's because the 'Cambrian' 158s (and ETCS-fitted 197s from October 2026, which will likely have replaced the 158s by March 2027) interwork with most Birmingham-Chester/Llandudno Junction (previously Holyhead) services.
MrBeanie
Member
Thanks for the information. Will definitely check what's on those services as it's a bit too far to try and get to Shrewsbury or down into Wales. Chester is at least within a reasonable distance.
Thanks I am planning to go there Monday week.
tfw756rider
On Moderation
Welcome
(A) Machynlleth-based 197(s) is/are scheduled to be on crew training runs between 0922 and 1138 (morning Aberystwyth), between 1040 and 1404 (Shrewsbury), between 1522 and 1728 (afternoon Aberystwyth) and between 1557 and ~2100 (Cambrian Coast / Pwllheli).
Anything from none to one to more than one of them can run on each day, but between 1404 and 1522 is when no runs are scheduled.
For the 197 in the fuel tank siding, go to the Platform 2 (nearest) side of the top of the station footbridge (if the 'lift not working' barrier is in place, tell a member of staff that you're going to see the 197 from the bridge and 'open'-walk-'close' the right (entering) / left (exiting) side of the barrier). Very occasionally, there may be a 197 in the new shed (viewable from the car park), but I've only seen one in there once.
For the 197s in the old shed or the 'Coal & Tank sidings', go out of the station car park, turn right, then go under the bridge. If on foot, take the immediate right and walk past the left of the gates to the Network Rail road into Dyfi Eco Park. Walk to the far end (by Units 6 and 7). If in a vehicle, take not that right but the one after (and then right again), and park at Unit 6 or 7 (far end).
Hope this helps, and best of luck with your spotting / captures!
Brilliant, many thanks,I am going by train.Welcome
(A) Machynlleth-based 197(s) is/are scheduled to be on crew training runs between 0922 and 1138 (morning Aberystwyth), between 1040 and 1404 (Shrewsbury), between 1522 and 1728 (afternoon Aberystwyth) and between 1557 and ~2100 (Cambrian Coast / Pwllheli).
Anything from none to one to more than one of them can run on each day, but between 1404 and 1522 is when no runs are scheduled.
For the 197 in the fuel tank siding, go to the Platform 2 (nearest) side of the top of the station footbridge (if the 'lift not working' barrier is in place, tell a member of staff that you're going to see the 197 from the bridge and 'open'-walk-'close' the right (entering) / left (exiting) side of the barrier). Very occasionally, there may be a 197 in the new shed (viewable from the car park), but I've only seen one in there once.
For the 197s in the old shed or the 'Coal & Tank sidings', go out of the station car park, turn right, then go under the bridge. If on foot, take the immediate right and walk past the left of the gates to the Network Rail road into Dyfi Eco Park. Walk to the far end (by Units 6 and 7). If in a vehicle, take not that right but the one after (and then right again), and park at Unit 6 or 7 (far end).
Hope this helps, and best of luck with your spotting / captures!
Today,17/08/2026
197'0
24/51 are out of service/spare
Of the 24,12 are the non ERTMS units.they are replaced by 9 ERTMS units in service today.Makes availability look much better.
ERTMS units in service are 003,022,023,024,025,026,027,037,041.Note 024 back in normal service
ERTMS units OOS today 028,029,030,031,032,033,034,035,036,038,039 and 040.
Normal 197'0 units OOS today are 008,009,011,013,014,017,020,044,045,046,049 and 051.
197'1
9/26 are OOS/spare today although 2 of these are working to/from Barton Under Needwood for the wheel lathe.
Units OOS are 102,105,117,118,123,124 and 125 with 104 and 107 working to/from Barton.
Availability remains much worse than the comparable Northern class 195's.
197'0
24/51 are out of service/spare
Of the 24,12 are the non ERTMS units.they are replaced by 9 ERTMS units in service today.Makes availability look much better.
ERTMS units in service are 003,022,023,024,025,026,027,037,041.Note 024 back in normal service
ERTMS units OOS today 028,029,030,031,032,033,034,035,036,038,039 and 040.
Normal 197'0 units OOS today are 008,009,011,013,014,017,020,044,045,046,049 and 051.
197'1
9/26 are OOS/spare today although 2 of these are working to/from Barton Under Needwood for the wheel lathe.
Units OOS are 102,105,117,118,123,124 and 125 with 104 and 107 working to/from Barton.
Availability remains much worse than the comparable Northern class 195's.
Thank you for posting this information.
So basically 44 in service to cover 49 diagrams.
It worrying how availability is still so poor. Out of the 30 'normal' 197s only 12 are in service with another 12 of the ERTMS units needed. And even then they are about 5 short.
tfw756rider
On Moderation
As you presumably saw, 197029, 197030 and 197039 are the three 197s currently on the Cambrian (so it must've been 197035 that went off).
Only the Cambrian Coast / Pwllheli run ran today (Mon 17/8/26), worked by 197029 (no allocation showing on the schedule, which is common):
tfw756rider
On Moderation
3C06 1557 Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs to Pwllheli and 3C07 1832 Pwllheli to Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs
50002Superb
Established Member
Are the remaining 18 none ETMS /0s out of service or are they rotating the ETMS units into general service while they wait to get the Cambrian online to ensure those units aren’t static for too long and develop faults?
I think they are rotating them but given the amount of faults I wouldnt be surprised if some are out of service with faults also.
Im also not sure if some all of the 2 cars (non ETMS) that are out of service are because of faults/needing repairs or if some are being stored as Chester only has space to keep so many in service?
CaergwrleKen
Member
TFW have no trains Crewe to Wrexham and Shrewsbury this week so there is 3 197 not needed
43 of the 197s in service today.
The units below are not in service.
006, 008, 009, 010, 012, 013, 014, 018, 020, 021, 027, 028, 029, 030, 031, 033, 035, 037, 039, 041, 045, 046, 048, 049, 051
105, 107, 110, 111, 116, 118, 123, 124, 125
197101 and 197102 im not sure about as both are doing ECS workings at the moment so if they are not to be included in the total that would bring it down to 41 in service today.
The units below are not in service.
006, 008, 009, 010, 012, 013, 014, 018, 020, 021, 027, 028, 029, 030, 031, 033, 035, 037, 039, 041, 045, 046, 048, 049, 051
105, 107, 110, 111, 116, 118, 123, 124, 125
197101 and 197102 im not sure about as both are doing ECS workings at the moment so if they are not to be included in the total that would bring it down to 41 in service today.
tfw756rider
On Moderation
I have RTT+ and can confirm that both 197101 and 197102 have worked passenger services 'today' (Sun 23/8/26) in addition to the Empty Coaching Stock workings, so 43 it is.
=========================
I'm wondering if anyone in here knows exactly what happened here?
At 22:28 on Fri 21/8/26, a screenshot of a then-'17 minutes ago' Facebook photo post by Mackenzie Diggons in the group 'The Cambrian Railways Past And Present' was shared with me (attached).
The post text is 'When old meets new in Pwllheli the new class 197 029 with the old class 158 029 both Transport for Wales'.
The photo itself depicts a vehicle each of two different diesel multiple units in Pwllheli station siding. On the left (Abererch end) is a Class 158 (presumably 158829) and on the right (buffer end) is a Class 197 (197029).
Realtime Trains shows the return of the Cambrian Coast 197 crew training run (3C07 1832 Pwllheli to Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs) as having run on the previous days of the week (Mon 17/8/26, Wed 19/8/26, Thu 20/8/26*) as well as that day (Fri 21/8/26).
*Note that on Thu 20/8/26, it was reported as running significantly late (33L Pwllheli, 28L Porthmadog, 82L Harlech, 61L Barmouth, 60L Tywyn and Dovey Junction, and 62L Machynlleth. Then 158823 is shown as having used the Machynlleth-Talerddig-Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs part of the schedule.
Again, if anyone in here knows exactly what happened here, we'd appreciate it and thanks in advance.
Attachments
Peter Sarf
Established Member
You can discount 197029, 197030, 197035 & 197039 as these four are on Cambrian testing/training duties so wont stray East of Machynlleth except when one stables at Shrewesbury (currently/recently 197035). Shrewesbury can lead to one going further afield but only for depot attention. They do not usually show on RTT or LRR.
Last edited: