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

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Roger B

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Joined
16 Jun 2018
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1,259
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Gatley
I was looking forward to travelling this afternoon on 197022 on the 11.53 1W18 from Cardiff to Crewe ..... but when it finally hove into view it was 197002 partnered with 197108 not 197022, I sat in carriage 131002.

It's still showing in RTT as 022 - and 002 is recorded on other workings at the same time it was on 1W18!

Looks like TfW could sharpen-up on their data input! Is this sort of thing quite rare?
 

Turbo004

Member
Joined
3 Feb 2017
Messages
231
I was looking forward to travelling this afternoon on 197022 on the 11.53 1W18 from Cardiff to Crewe ..... but when it finally hove into view it was 197002 partnered with 197108 not 197022, I sat in carriage 131002.

It's still showing in RTT as 022 - and 002 is recorded on other workings at the same time it was on 1W18!

Looks like TfW could sharpen-up on their data input! Is this sort of thing quite rare?
For as long as I've worked on the railways there has been occasional mix up with units. I don't think it is particularly more common with TfW. I also feel that doesn't matter how hard TfW try there will be the occasional error. It is quite rare. If you spot an error like this it can be helpful if you inform a staff member. The error can then be corrected promptly then on RTT.

Having said that I do feel sorry for you that you didn't get the unit you wished. Hopefully you will get 022 soon.
 

Roger B

Established Member
Joined
16 Jun 2018
Messages
1,259
Location
Gatley
For as long as I've worked on the railways there has been occasional mix up with units. I don't think it is particularly more common with TfW. I also feel that doesn't matter how hard TfW try there will be the occasional error. It is quite rare. If you spot an error like this it can be helpful if you inform a staff member. The error can then be corrected promptly then on RTT.

Having said that I do feel sorry for you that you didn't get the unit you wished. Hopefully you will get 022 soon.
Thanks Turbo004. I never thought of telling anyone - doh! Next time I'll try to do that.

And thanks for your kind words re 022 - I can't see it being too elusive, compared with other rolling stock I've been hunting down. Massively helped by RTT.
 

Peter Sarf

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Joined
12 Oct 2010
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9,559
Location
Croydon
I was looking forward to travelling this afternoon on 197022 on the 11.53 1W18 from Cardiff to Crewe ..... but when it finally hove into view it was 197002 partnered with 197108 not 197022, I sat in carriage 131002.

It's still showing in RTT as 022 - and 002 is recorded on other workings at the same time it was on 1W18!

Looks like TfW could sharpen-up on their data input! Is this sort of thing quite rare?
Probably a late unit swap. You best bet when this happens is to assume the unit you want is on the service the unit you did not want is on !. So whatever RTT says 197002 was on you will probably find it is 197022 !. Also remember RTT only reproduces the information it is given from the main railway computer systems.
No. 37 dragging flirt units to/from the wheel lathe at Holyhead. Seems to be a regular thing at the moment.
The wheel lathe at cardiff Canton has a replacement planned but the original lathe failed earlier then planned !.
 

Jez

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22 Jan 2011
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2,305
Location
Neath
Seems like the 197 shortage continues - today half of the Pembroke Dock-Cardiff's, 2/3 of the Cheltenhams and half of the Maestegs are Sprinters. (OK some at least 1 of the Maesteg's is booked for 150s, possibly one of the Cheltenhams too). But thats a shortage of at least 4 units just checking those 3 routes.
 

Torfaen

Member
Joined
8 Dec 2025
Messages
53
Location
Pontypool
Let's hope TfW and CAF are working on a 197 recovery plan behind the scenes. I remember hearing James Price saying they intended to work with CAF to solve the various issues. I wonder, will the Cambrian switchover get pushed back another month or two in the hope that availability improves?
 

Jez

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Joined
22 Jan 2011
Messages
2,305
Location
Neath
Let's hope TfW and CAF are working on a 197 recovery plan behind the scenes. I remember hearing James Price saying they intended to work with CAF to solve the various issues. I wonder, will the Cambrian switchover get pushed back another month or two in the hope that availability improves?
Lets hope so. Although there should be enough units to have at least some start on the Cambrian.

Today a pair of 153s was seen on a Crewe local working (not all day it seems so perhaps the 197 was taken our of service) and yesterday the 1543 Cardiff-Swansea stopper was a single 153 (actually booked for a pair of 153s rather than a 197 but the impact of Sprinters covering no doubt).
 

Markdvdman

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Joined
14 Aug 2011
Messages
491
Location
Merthyr Tydfil / Gorslas
On the 7:23am from Swansea to Cardiff (leaves Llanelli at 6:51am) - 3 of the last 4 on a Monday have been a 150. This weeks was bad as the 5 car London train failed just leaving Swansea (temporary) and they all ran to the 150. Left 2 mins late and got into Cardiff too late for me to catch the Bridgend VOG train for work. The 197s are so much better in this case. It is concerning when the 150s are put to rest what WILL they do????
 

Jez

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Joined
22 Jan 2011
Messages
2,305
Location
Neath
On the 7:23am from Swansea to Cardiff (leaves Llanelli at 6:51am) - 3 of the last 4 on a Monday have been a 150. This weeks was bad as the 5 car London train failed just leaving Swansea (temporary) and they all ran to the 150. Left 2 mins late and got into Cardiff too late for me to catch the Bridgend VOG train for work. The 197s are so much better in this case. It is concerning when the 150s are put to rest what WILL they do????
I think that one runs ECS from Canton to Llanelli via the district line to maintain route knowledge. Before forming a service back to Cardiff. I believe it then goes onto Pembroke Dock's all day. The last 2 days its been a 150.

This morning the 0543 from Swansea was a 150 vice a MK4. But that is likely due to the ECS to Swansea going via VOG.
 

tomoufc

Member
Joined
12 Dec 2014
Messages
358
On the 7:23am from Swansea to Cardiff (leaves Llanelli at 6:51am) - 3 of the last 4 on a Monday have been a 150. This weeks was bad as the 5 car London train failed just leaving Swansea (temporary) and they all ran to the 150. Left 2 mins late and got into Cardiff too late for me to catch the Bridgend VOG train for work. The 197s are so much better in this case. It is concerning when the 150s are put to rest what WILL they do????
Honestly, at this stage I think it’s best they look to retain the 150s to the medium term. Shouldn’t compensation payments from CAF cover their leases?
 

Snow1964

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7 Oct 2019
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11,015
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West Wiltshire
Honestly, at this stage I think it’s best they look to retain the 150s to the medium term. Shouldn’t compensation payments from CAF cover their leases?
Lease terms are not public, commercially sensitive.

Whilst there might be some compensation, the contract might have a cap on value, or a time limit, or some table where rate tapers down after certain time or amount compensated.

What there is for warranty work, hiring of replacement trains (which in practice is old 150s and some 153, 158s), or how long they can leave them out of service awaiting parts like new gearboxes is not known.

Really it depends on which side had best legal team and negotiators whilst the contract was written, that determined what is compensated
 

tomoufc

Member
Joined
12 Dec 2014
Messages
358
Lease terms are not public, commercially sensitive.

Whilst there might be some compensation, the contract might have a cap on value, or a time limit, or some table where rate tapers down after certain time or amount compensated.

What there is for warranty work, hiring of replacement trains (which in practice is old 150s and some 153, 158s), or how long they can leave them out of service awaiting parts like new gearboxes is not known.

Really it depends on which side had best legal team and negotiators whilst the contract was written, that determined what is compensated
Yes that’s right. I really hope TfW had good lawyers when drawing up the contract. There’s another aspect to this of course: they are leased. Surely leasing payments depend on availability? It can’t be the case that TfW are paying leasing charges for trains they can’t use?
 

InvHst

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Joined
9 Dec 2018
Messages
418
Em 1008 out of Birmingham this morning has well an interesting allocation.... pair of 197s showing all the way through whoops
 

Caaardiff

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Joined
9 Jun 2019
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1,371
Em 1008 out of Birmingham this morning has well an interesting allocation.... pair of 197s showing all the way through whoops
No whoops about it.
Covering for 158s. Happens all the time.
Will get swapped at Shrewsbury and probably go back to Birmingham.
 

Harpo

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21 Aug 2024
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Location
Newport
Em 1008 out of Birmingham this morning has well an interesting allocation.... pair of 197s showing all the way through whoops
Welcome to TfW, the only UK TOC where set swaps routinely turn through journeys into a midway change of trains all over their network.
 

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