nigelsporne
Member
Already been kicked off twice this morning for unit swaps, at Swansea and Carmarthen. 197s required back in Cardiff. Efficient swap though. My intended 197 to Shrewsbury also cancelled.
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CAF class 197 Civity for TfW: News and updates on introduction.
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Welshguy1048
Established Member
Filmed at Prestatyn, North Wales
22/07/26 - TfW Class 197 - 197116 & 197009 & 197022 - Holyhead to Chester D.M.U.D. - Empty Coaching Stock move
Dave
== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==
Filmed at Prestatyn, North Wales
23/07/26 - TfW Class 197 - 197030 -Shrewsbury Abbey Frgte Cs to Holyhead - Empty Coaching Stock move
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Assuming they are planning to eventually use the 21 ETCS class 197s in the same way the class 158s are/were intended to be used at present then a unit which does Pwllheli to Birmingham International will normally then form a Birmingham to Llandudno (or should that be Llandudno Junction?) working before going back to Birmingham International and thence the Cambrian. If so, the ETCS 197s will become a fairly regular sight between Shrewsbury and Llandudno (Junction) via Wrexham and Chester.
FrodshamJnct
Established Member
197044 is making a very odd noise at the moment. Been past the bottom of my garden twice in the last few hours emitting a fairly high pitched sound.
tfw756rider
On Moderation
Maybe a turbo boost leak on one of its engines?
Chorley Cake
Member
- Joined
- 23 Aug 2014
- Messages
- 387
Two 197s on Shrewsbury Abbey Foregate sidings this morning. 024 was one of them, does anybody know the other one ? More visible from the Birmingham line.
The 197 shortage continues. I just looked and every single Maesteg-Ebbw is a 150 today (i know one diagram is booked) and a couple of Swanline/Pembroke's and 2 on Cheltenham as well.
I have a question re 197s - does anyone know if one has ever been down the Heart of Wales on test. I dont believe they have but wondered if someone in the know could confirm. I guess eventually they will need to be cleared there if only to cover for an AT set when the 150s all go.
I have a question re 197s - does anyone know if one has ever been down the Heart of Wales on test. I dont believe they have but wondered if someone in the know could confirm. I guess eventually they will need to be cleared there if only to cover for an AT set when the 150s all go.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
Yesatersday (Friday 24/07/2026) 197029, 197035 and 197039 could be seen at Machynlleth according a friend who visited.
197024 has been on Cambrian testing and training and one of the four 197s does seem to get left at Shrewesbury.
Other Cambrian test and training unit 197030 has gone off to Holyhead - but possibility that is just back at Shrewesbury and on its way onto the Cambrian.
That would make a total of five ! - I can only hope 197039 is off to earn some money getting exposed to passengers at last.
Thinking more - realistically perhaps a swap is about to take place at Shrewesbury (to and from Machynlleth) and 197024 might be going on to Cambrian just after another 197 (choice of 197029, 197035 or 197039) has arrived from Cambrian. It was a swap on/around the weekend of Sat-Sun 6-7/06/2026 that saw 197039 go onto Cambrian testing and training with 197030 coming off. 197030 then went to Holyhead depot iirc.
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Thanks.
I am not sure there will be enough ETCS 197s for interworking up into North Wales. But they will have to get as far as Chester for bigger exams/maintenance. Commonsense says it is prudent to have more 197s fitted with ETCS than is strictly needed.
Regardless South Wales seems less likely than Cheshire and North Wales.
50002Superb
Established Member
What time?
According to TrainMapper 016 and 023 last worked to Shrewsbury and no sighting since.
050 started the day at SAF.
I’ve not checked the /1s
Chorley Cake
Member
- Joined
- 23 Aug 2014
- Messages
- 387
Thank you
WelshBluebird
Established Member
- Joined
- 14 Jan 2010
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- 5,576
First time on a 197 this weekend and slightly amazed at how "bouncy" the ride was. No idea if its the rolling stock or the track (up the marches from Newport to Crewe) but the only thing I can compare it to is a pacer. Even my wife (who humours me but isnt into trains) commented on it.
The only places I've noticed the ride being bad is Conwy valley, the first part of the Fishguard branch after Clarbeston road and the section between Pembrey Burry Port and Llanelli.
Granted I've not been West of Clarbeston Road on the Milford branch or West of Tenby on one. Or the Swansea district or Vale of Glamorgan lines But otherwise I've been everywhere else apart from a few places in the North.
They do say if you sit above the bogies it's worse.
nigelsporne
Member
I travelled to Milford Haven and Pembroke Dock last week and both were fine. Parts of the line to Fishguard though as you state are some of the worst I have experienced .
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Yes I agree. I think the fishguard was by far the worse overall of the lines ive had a 197 on. But only for the first part after Clarbeston Road. Pembrey didn't seem as bad the last time but I think I was sitting above the bogies the time I found it bad.
BenBracken
Member
That part of the Fishguard line passes by local visitor attraction Scolton Manor. You can tell it’s a 197 passing by how loud the thud-thud is, which echoes across the whole grounds! The line to Milford is fine, I think it’s pretty bumpy towards the end of the Pembroke Dock branch.
Anonymous10
Established Member
It can be a little bumpy but the pembroke dock branch has seen a good deal of track renewal in recent years so only in some stretches.
Peter Sarf
Established Member
Well if it is that noisy then it is probably shaking the 197s to pieces as well.
I wonder if 197s break down more often on the trips to/from Fishguard ?.
nigelsporne
Member
From my experience last week the worst track is towards the Clarbeston Road end and there are at least two sections. The 197 was certainly shaken about. I assume that the track is still 60 ft lengths but it is difficult to see on a single track. It felt as though one rail was continuous and the other jointed. The weed killer train wouldn't go amiss either!
I didn't notice any speed restriction signs but I wasn't really looking as I was too busy hanging on for dear life!
I didn't notice any speed restriction signs but I wasn't really looking as I was too busy hanging on for dear life!
Kentish RYS
Member
Apologies if the information is in the thread (I tried a search but couldn't find it) but a question:
Is it known what ETCS Onboard manufacturer and ETCS Baseline/System Requirements Specifications (SRS) is on the class 197s?
Is it known what ETCS Onboard manufacturer and ETCS Baseline/System Requirements Specifications (SRS) is on the class 197s?
tfw756rider
On Moderation
CAF Signalling
Onboard ETCS at Baseline 3 Release 2 and GSM-R Baseline 1 for operation in ETCS Level 2 and below.
Fitted only to 21 units (197003 and 197022-197041).
CAF Auriga and baseline 3.0
Kentish RYS
Member
Thanks both. So not the latest then, though may have been when specced/ordered
wythallpaul
Member
Allocation for 31/07/2026:- 197030 on 5D97.
Clarification:- 5D97 0910 Holyhead Car. M.D. to Chester D.M.U.D
(Source - RTT)
Update from RTT:- "This service was cancelled due to an unknown problem (TO)".
Clarification:- 5D97 0910 Holyhead Car. M.D. to Chester D.M.U.D
(Source - RTT)
Update from RTT:- "This service was cancelled due to an unknown problem (TO)".
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BillStampy
Established Member
It's interesting to see what TfW resort to sometimes, particularly when the 197s aren't available to replace stuff like this!
Today's 1V78 20.30 Manchester to Cardiff is formed of 150279 and x2 153s! (153333 and 153914).
Surprised there hasn't been any 197s to take over from either Shrewsbury or Crewe at least, yikes.
Today's 1V78 20.30 Manchester to Cardiff is formed of 150279 and x2 153s! (153333 and 153914).
Surprised there hasn't been any 197s to take over from either Shrewsbury or Crewe at least, yikes.
Blimey!
I suppose at least it was upgraded to 4 cars from Cardiff on the up journey. Must be the first 150 that has visited Manchester in over a year.
MP393
Member
Blimey!
I suppose at least it was upgraded to 4 cars from Cardiff on the up journey. Must be the first 150 that has visited Manchester in over a year.
June 2025, on the same Sunday working is said to be the last 150. A pair of 153s snuck up vice Mk4 a few weeks ago, but certainly the first 150 in over a year yes.
I had a feeling it was then as I remember even at that time 150s hadnt worked the route for a while.
Things must be bad still with the 197s. Anyone got an update on their status currently and how many in passenger service?
48 197s have been in service today.
South Wales Mainline is still a mess after the lineside fire so its probably a case of unit displacement.
amahy
Member
To be fair on TfW, credit to them to finding a replacement train of adequate length. I’d rather that than a 2 or 3 car 197 any day of the week, or even a 4 car 197 if it had failed air-con!
That’s completely right, I think. TFW are clearly struggling with the 197 introduction, but I’ve been impressed by their commitment to not cancel and provide as much capacity as they can on the Marches. Whoever decides on daily allocations and rosters must have an interesting job!