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

[PedroHav]

197030 was passing Portmadog on the 3C04 at 1256 . 21/09/26

197029 was in the sidings at Pwllheli

 

[tfw756rider]

I noticed on 197111 the catering cupboard has been painted and has 'food on the move' on it
Is the plan to order food at your seat happening soon then ? Today it was just the usual trolley service.

It would be good if this area was put to use seen as it takes up space.

Aren't they vinyl wraps? I've seen them in a few/several 197s, and not all the same design.

 

[trainspotter4]

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V36207/2026-09-22/detailed#allox_id=0

(3C50 0005 Cardiff Canton Sidings to Bristol Temple Meads
Departing on 22nd September 2026)

and

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V36206/2026-09-22/detailed

(3C51 0130 Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff Canton Sidings
Departing on 22nd September 2026)

are actually showing an allocation (of 197040+197114), which looks a lot more promising!

(See the attached Realtime Trains screenshots)

Interesting too that these units are currently being ferried down from Chester (https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V36224/2026-09-21/detailed), may be planned but still just expected random units from Canton.

 

[tfw756rider]

197037 has come onto the Cambrian for (to my knowledge*) the first time!

See the attached Realtime Trains screenshots of 197037 on 3C01 2349 Shrewsbury Abbey Frgte Cs to Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs (Departing on 20th September 2026)

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:17758/2026-09-20/detailed#allox_id=2

*To my knowledge, 197037 is the 16th 197 to come onto the Cambrian. The other 15 are:

TfW daytime testing/training 2025/2026 (most recent thing they've done on the Cambrian):
197024/029/030/035/039

TfW night-time testing/training 2026:
197022/027

ROG/CAF night-time testing/ETCS mileage accumulation (2022+)2025/2026 (most recent thing they've done on the Cambrian):
(197003+)025/032/038/040/041

ROG/CAF daytime testing/ETCS mileage accumulation 2024:
197031/033

 

[Kentish RYS]

Sorry, this has almost been certainly explained in the past but over 350 pages is a lot to look through and I couldn't find it with the search/those on here may not know, but my question is how is the ETCS tested on the ETCS fitted 197s?

Did any go to the Old Derby Test Track or somewhere fitted or is the Cambrian the first time they will be on ETCS?

On the Cambrian, the previous post mentions ROG, are they doing the actual test runs/does TfW have a testing licence?

 

[tfw756rider]

Sorry, this has almost been certainly explained in the past but over 350 pages is a lot to look through and I couldn't find it with the search/those on here may not know, but my question is how is the ETCS tested on the ETCS fitted 197s?

Did any go to the Old Derby Test Track or somewhere fitted or is the Cambrian the first time they will be on ETCS?

On the Cambrian, the previous post mentions ROG, are they doing the actual test runs/does TfW have a testing licence?

The 197/0e ETCS was tested on the Cambrian overnight on Rail Operations Group and CAF-operated test runs ('3Q' headcodes).

The 2022 runs (and any 2023 and/or 2024 runs) ran under possession (or Special Protection Zone - SPZ),

but the 2025 and 2026 runs ran under normal signalling system operation and therefore (unlike the earlier runs) showed up on Realtime Trains and the OpenTrainTimes Cambrian diagram/map etc.

Here's a YouTube video by RWL2012 of 197030+197029 (before they were accepted by Transport for Wales for their late 2025 and 2026 daytime crew training runs) at Newtown and Welshpool on two nights in May 2025, on 3Q90/3Q91/3Q92/3Q93 (Shrewsbury Abbey Frgte Cs-Machynlleth-Welshpool-Machynlleth-Shrewsbury Abbey Frgte Cs):

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 22 Sep 2026 ==

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V36207/2026-09-22/detailed#allox_id=0

(3C50 0005 Cardiff Canton Sidings to Bristol Temple Meads
Departing on 22nd September 2026)

and

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V36206/2026-09-22/detailed

(3C51 0130 Bristol Temple Meads to Cardiff Canton Sidings
Departing on 22nd September 2026)

are actually showing an allocation (of 197040+197114), which looks a lot more promising!

The same 197s allocated again for the second night (early hours of 23rd September 2026).

 

[chrisjo]

This is 197009, in Chester Carriage Sidings (edit: on the 24th September), showing the bilingual Welsh / English name Pier Penarth / Penarth Pier, with the subtext Enywyd gan / Named by Ava, Creigiau Primary School.

Quite why Transport For Wales didn't do it properly and write Enywyd gan / Named by Ava, Ysgol Gynradd Creigiau Primary School, I couldn't say.

 

[yorkie]

For discussion regarding 197009's name, please use the following thread:

TfW names a Class 197 unit "Penarth Pier"

Chester, yesterday: This is 197009, in Chester Carriage Sidings, showing the bilingual Welsh / English name Pier Penarth / Penarth Pier, with the subtext Enywyd gan / Named by Ava, Creigiau Primary School. Quite why Transport For Wales didn't do it properly and write Enywyd gan / Named by...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[tfw756rider]

Here are a couple of YouTube videos of the Class 197 Bristol runs:

This one by RWL2012 at Filton Abbey Wood and Ashley Down (arrivals and departures, both ways, both nights)

and this one by routemaster 387 at Bristol Temple Meads (arrival only, outward only, first night only)

 

[XFeed]

Here are a couple of YouTube videos of the Class 197 Bristol runs:

This one by RWL2012 at Filton Abbey Wood and Ashley Down (arrivals and departures, both ways, both nights)

and this one by routemaster 387 at Bristol Temple Meads (arrival only, outward only, first night only)

What are the jobs of the guys in orange travelling on the test run ? I assume that they are not CAF engineers as I didn`t recognise anyone.

 

[tfw756rider]

What are the jobs of the guys in orange travelling on the test run ? I assume that they are not CAF engineers as I didn`t recognise anyone.

I don't know, but I'd like to know.

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

Does anyone in here happen to know which 197 was on 3C04 1214 Pwllheli Station Sidings to Machynlleth 'today' (Mon 28/9/26)? I saw both 3C04 1214 Pwllheli Station Sidings to Machynlleth and 3C05 1602 Machynlleth to Pwllheli Station Sidings, but I saw 3C04 at too far of a distance to see the number, but I saw 3C05 close enough to see that that was 197037.

The reason I'm asking (rather than just assuming that 3C04 was also 197037) is because I know that on one day there was a swap/allocation change at Machynlleth in-between a 3C04 Pwllheli Station Sidings to Machynlleth and a 3C06 Machynlleth Carr. Sidings to Pwllheli (in that case).

Thanks either way

Here are the Realtime Trains links:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V38378/2026-09-28/detailed

(3C04 1214 Pwllheli Station Sidings to Machynlleth on Mon 28/9/26)

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V38377/2026-09-28/detailed

(3C05 1602 Machynlleth to Pwllheli Station Sidings on Mon 28/9/26)

 

[Gordonman]

There was a 5Z84 Shrewsbury Sidings - Mach earlier today.Was this a 5th 197 for Cambrian testing or just a random 158.The headcode does not give anything away

 

[tfw756rider]

There was a 5Z84 Shrewsbury Sidings - Mach earlier today.Was this a 5th 197 for Cambrian testing or just a random 158.The headcode does not give anything away

I was wondering that too - I'll go and have a look at the Machynlleth depot complex in a bit, but it will have to only be there today, not also Pwllheli siding.

 

[tfw756rider]

I've had a look at Machynlleth now:

• 197029 in new shed
• 197030 immediately outside new shed
• 197039 in fuel tank siding

(old shed was only a 158, and coal/tank sidings were only a yellow Network Rail 97/Mk2/DBSO set)

Though I didn't go all the way to Pwllheli (today's sightings were more for you guys than myself) I'm going to assume that 197037 is there, from/for the Pwllheli-Machynlleth-Pwllheli runs

(as it hasn't been on for long, and did at least the return on Mon 28/9/26, after having been swapped for - as it turns out - 197029, at Machynlleth).

 

[TrainTrackJack]

There was a 5Z84 Shrewsbury Sidings - Mach earlier today.Was this a 5th 197 for Cambrian testing or just a random 158.The headcode does not give anything away

158839

 

[Gordonman]

158839

Thanks,still no progress with the fleet changeover on the Cambrian then.Th October changeover is looking highly unlikely now

 

[tfw756rider]

Thanks,still no progress with the fleet changeover on the Cambrian then.Th October changeover is looking highly unlikely now

Even though more 197s have been on the Cambrian than some people may realise (at least 16 - 022/024/025/027/029/030/031/032/033/035/037/038/039/040/041), it does seem like a small amount of time left (about 2-and-a-half weeks) for the 5 197s that haven't yet been on the Cambrian to my knowledge (023/026/028/034/036) to go on the Cambrian, especially as at least 028 has been long-term out-of-use out of those.

Won't those 5 units have to do individual tests on the Cambrian before being allowed to enter service on it?

 

[tfw756rider]

197028 has appeared on Realtime Trains again (albeit on empty stock moves), after months and months of long-term non-use.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:19745/2026-09-28/detailed

5Z28 1515 Crewe South Yard to Chester
Departing on 28th September 2026
Operated with 197028

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:20434/2026-09-30/detailed

5Z28 1830 Chester D.M.U.D. to Holyhead Car. M.D.
Departing on 30th September 2026
Operated with 197028

 

[DelW]

Even though more 197s have been on the Cambrian than some people may realise (at least 16 - 022/024/025/027/029/030/031/032/033/035/037/038/039/040/041), it does seem like a small amount of time left (about 2-and-a-half weeks) for the 5 197s that haven't yet been on the Cambrian to my knowledge (023/026/028/034/036) to go on the Cambrian, especially as at least 028 has been long-term out-of-use out of those.

Won't those 5 units have to do individual tests on the Cambrian before being allowed to enter service on it?

The first phase of the changeover (originally mid-late Sep, later mid-late Oct) only required 8 197s, with the 158 fleet retained in service or on standby. Another 4 were due to enter service a month later, and the final 6 some months later again.

 

[50002Superb]

Will those first 8 have to move en masse with the 158s going in the opposite direction simultaneously to ensure that there’s sufficient space to accommodate them or can it be done piecemeal?

 

[Flange Squeal]

Does anyone in here happen to know which 197 was on 3C04 1214 Pwllheli Station Sidings to Machynlleth 'today' (Mon 28/9/26)? I saw both 3C04 1214 Pwllheli Station Sidings to Machynlleth and 3C05 1602 Machynlleth to Pwllheli Station Sidings, but I saw 3C04 at too far of a distance to see the number, but I saw 3C05 close enough to see that that was 197037.

The reason I'm asking (rather than just assuming that 3C04 was also 197037) is because I know that on one day there was a swap/allocation change at Machynlleth in-between a 3C04 Pwllheli Station Sidings to Machynlleth and a 3C06 Machynlleth Carr. Sidings to Pwllheli (in that case).

3C04 on Monday was 197029. A video of it passing Tywyn can be found on Instagram at this link:

@gricergram on Instagram: "Transport for Wales (Trafnidiaeth Cymru, TfW Rail) CAF Civity Class 197 diesel multiple unit, number 197029, pulls out of Tywyn while working today’s 3C04 1214 Pwllheli Station Sidings to Machynlleth test/training run over

13 likes, 0 comments - gricergram on September 28, 2026: "Transport for Wales (Trafnidiaeth Cymru, TfW Rail) CAF Civity Class 197 diesel multiple unit, number 197029, pulls out of Tywyn while working today’s 3C04 1214 Pwllheli Station Sidings to Machynlleth test/training run over the Cambrian...

www.instagram.com

The same account then has a photo of 197037 on 3C06 at Harlech, confirming the swap.

@gricergram on Instagram: "Transport for Wales (Trafnidiaeth Cymru, TfW Rail) CAF Civity Class 197 diesel multiple unit, number 197037, pulls into Harlech on 28th September while working 3C05 1602 Machynlleth to Pwllheli Station Sidings test/training

3 likes, 0 comments - gricergram on October 1, 2026: "Transport for Wales (Trafnidiaeth Cymru, TfW Rail) CAF Civity Class 197 diesel multiple unit, number 197037, pulls into Harlech on 28th September while working 3C05 1602 Machynlleth to Pwllheli Station Sidings test/training run over the...

www.instagram.com

 

[sd0733]

Will those first 8 have to move en masse with the 158s going in the opposite direction simultaneously to ensure that there’s sufficient space to accommodate them or can it be done piecemeal?

Looks like it will be 3 not 8 now to begin with, all concentrated on the Pwllheli branch.
Time to change again though!

 

[50002Superb]

Looks like it will be 3 not 8 now to begin with, all concentrated on the Pwllheli branch.
Time to change again though!

Interesting, thank you

 

[tfw756rider]

3C04 on Monday was 197029. A video of it passing Tywyn can be found on Instagram at this link:

@gricergram on Instagram: "Transport for Wales (Trafnidiaeth Cymru, TfW Rail) CAF Civity Class 197 diesel multiple unit, number 197029, pulls out of Tywyn while working today’s 3C04 1214 Pwllheli Station Sidings to Machynlleth test/training run over

13 likes, 0 comments - gricergram on September 28, 2026: "Transport for Wales (Trafnidiaeth Cymru, TfW Rail) CAF Civity Class 197 diesel multiple unit, number 197029, pulls out of Tywyn while working today’s 3C04 1214 Pwllheli Station Sidings to Machynlleth test/training run over the Cambrian...

www.instagram.com

The same account then has a photo of 197037 on 3C05 at Harlech, confirming the swap.

@gricergram on Instagram: "Transport for Wales (Trafnidiaeth Cymru, TfW Rail) CAF Civity Class 197 diesel multiple unit, number 197037, pulls into Harlech on 28th September while working 3C05 1602 Machynlleth to Pwllheli Station Sidings test/training

3 likes, 0 comments - gricergram on October 1, 2026: "Transport for Wales (Trafnidiaeth Cymru, TfW Rail) CAF Civity Class 197 diesel multiple unit, number 197037, pulls into Harlech on 28th September while working 3C05 1602 Machynlleth to Pwllheli Station Sidings test/training run over the...

www.instagram.com

Thanks very much - I ended up managing to just about see with some methods on my photo that it was 029 to 037, but it's nice to know for definite.

 

[tfw756rider]

Looks like it will be 3 not 8 now to begin with, all concentrated on the Pwllheli branch.
Time to change again though!

Thanks, it's very interesting that plans have changed yet again (to starting with 3 units/diagrams on the Cambrian Coast Line only?), as I was told only a few weeks ago that the plan had changed from the phased introduction (on the whole Cambrian) to "big bang" (on the whole Cambrian).