Anonymous10
Established Member
This working has been diagrammed for several years, certainly pre 197 and possibly pre TFW.
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CAF class 197 Civity for TfW: News and updates on introduction.
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Think the 1430 from Manchester on a Sunday has done this for a while. Even when it was booked for Sprinters.
Lewisham2221
Established Member
It's not that they aren't allowed to touch it, it's that they physically can't. It can only be controlled from the "active" (leading) cab, and only on/off. We were told that it's set to cool to a certain number of degrees cooler than the external temperature, but I don't remember what that difference was, or if any changes have been made in the various software upgrades since last year. I was recently on one where the saloon temperature definitely felt significantly cooler than what the TMS was suggesting it was, so I'm not really sure what's going on.
bunnahabhain
Established Member
- Joined
- 8 Jun 2005
- Messages
- 2,271
Quite a few units will increase the set point once the external ambient air temperature reaches a certain point, 158s are meant to do it to avoid over stressing the components, usually approx 27c it will start increasing the set pint from 21c, so when it's 30c external it should be 24c internal. To have it try to reach 21c come what may just leads to failures, and as 158s don't have the most powerful system that's why poorly maintained examples have non working A/C..... That and Guards who don't know what they're doing and opening windows or vestibule doorways with the system still on and forcing the system beyond design parameters.
I've spent the past 5 years really pushing A/C traction knowledge and it really infuriates me when I see a set with perfectly good A/C come in with opening windows having been 'sabotaged' by a member of staff.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
In my experience a significant number of people just do not seem to understand that it may be on the warm side inside but opening the windows will only defeat the air conditioning if it is hotter outside. Those same people quite readily accept that opening the windows in cold weather will defeat the heating.
197039 has a few entries on the sytsem for ECS runs to Aberystwith during the daytime tomorrow (Monday 01/06/2026).
d. 0421
From: Shrewsbury Abbey Frgte Cs
To : Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs
3C15
STP
Transport for Wales
|
d. 0935
From: Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs
To: Aberystwyth
3C02
STP
Transport for Wales
|
d. 1030
From: Aberystwyth
To: Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs
3C03
STP
Transport for Wales
|
d. 1535
From: Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs
To: Aberystwyth
3C00
STP
Transport for Wales
d. 1630
|
From: Aberystwyth
To: Machynlleth Carr. Sdgs
3C01
STP
Transport for Wales
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JakeMurphy
Established Member
- Joined
- 30 Aug 2018
- Messages
- 1,233
I’m happy to be corrected but 831 may be at Bristol.
I haven't seen 158830 as well in a while
Peter Sarf
Established Member
As far as I know 197029, 197030 & 197039 are at Machynlleth. They have all been active in May around there (Cambrian) but nowhere else.
AbsoluteBlock
Member
That was really interesting; thank you. Which part of the pages to which you linked show that these services run with 197s? Or does it not specify the vehicle but you already knew that 197039 would be in the area by another means?
Peter Sarf
Established Member
Picked it up on Live Rail Record (its gone now !) - but posting a link to that seems to not work as well as RTT so I cobbled together a list.
tfw756rider
On Moderation
No, it's 197024, 197029 and 197030 based there currently (197039 didn't end up going back on). 197024 went on the Cambrian Coast Line today.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
Ah that explains why last night I noticed 3C15 Shrewesbury to Machymlleth in my list was cancelled.
TfW have rotated the 197s on Cambrian before occasionally. I was anticipating those days were over with the imminent switch over (potentially) of Cambrian to 197s. Maybe less imminent ?.
Interesting that the newest arrival 197039 is the first one back off. It was a 19702x (iirc) that was replaced by 197039 (earlier this year). 109029 & 197030 are iirc old hands on Cambrian testing/training.
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197041 is booked to head to Chester this morning on https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:80049/2026-06-03/detailed becoming the final unit to be accepted.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
Thats good. I wonder if it ()197041) is going into service or going to hide on Cambrian ?.
Jacob Porrett
Established Member
That will be the end for the caf boys and girls at ArrivaTrain Care Crewe then.
cheekybifta
Member
I was on 197121 on Tuesday last week and noticed the air conditioning was much better than I remembered 197 air con to be in previous summers. Definitely not just a few degrees below the external temperature despite being busy enough a few people were standing.
Straight into service, planned today on 06:19 Chester to Cardiff.
berneyarms
Established Member
That hasn’t happened based on RTT.
childwallblues
Established Member
The 0619 from Chester normally starts at Holyhead at 0427 but was part cancelled. Is that a boat train?
Peter Sarf
Established Member
Thanks. Looks like 197034 might have been a late substitute for 197041 (maybe a teething trouble ?) - service started from Chester late. Or a typo. Interesting the train did not start from Holyhead so maybe other things are up in the air !.
Needless to say, your reply means 197041 is now or very soon in general passenger service.
How about 197039 ?.
That has come off Cambrian testing/training apparently so I suspect that might also be going into general passenger service ?.
(two reasons for me to be itching to visit relatives in Cardiff !)
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berneyarms
Established Member
There are no “boat trains” any more - there are just services to and from Holyhead.
197041 now planned to run to Crewe South Yard tonight with 197025, which should then form 05:54 Crewe to Milford Haven.
2nd time lucky!
197039 i believe is (for now) staying as part of the Cambrian training quartet. AFAIK if all goes to plan tonight/tomorrow its just 039 thats not been in service at all.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
Thanks.
Yes, I thought 197039 might be quite unusual having never been exposed to passengers !. - YET.
I am not sure but have all the other 197s used on Cambrian testing/training been used on passenger services before going there ?.
I have been wondering about 197030. It seems like it has been on Cambrian testing/training for a long time - the longest ?.
berneyarms
Established Member
197041 is indeed on the 05:54 Crewe to Milford Haven according to RTT.
Yes it is now in a group of 1 not being in passenger service. Yes, all have been used prior to their Cambrian stint.
As far as i remember 029 and 030 have been on the Cambrian together since the start. Theyre effectively test units at the moment as they have some updated software and will need to do some validation on other routes after their Cambrian work before that can be rolled out and they enter service again
40029 Saxonia
Member
When i went passed Shrewsbury CS on Wednesday there was a 197 at the back in the siding furthest from the running lines. A bit distant but I'm 90 pc sure it was 197039. The yellow NR class 150 was in the same siding in front of it
Yes, 197039 is currently there. They spend some time there between times on the Cambrian.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
Coming off the service at Swansea - planned.
(in case anyone is hoping for 197041 West of Swansea).
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+
Thanks, useful to know.
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Thanks, looks like I was lucky with 197029 then.
Jacob Porrett
Established Member
It was 950001.