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

BenBracken said:

I took a service from west Wales to Carmarthen last week which arrived at 11ish, then noticed it was the same unit when I returned at 13.42. Checked on Train Mapper, it sits in Carmarthen for 2 3/4 hours, which I get as it then forms a Manchester service but given there is a shortage of 197s it does seem a waste of resource to have it sat there!

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It lays over while GWR services fill the two hour gaps in TfW services in each direction between Cardiff and Carmarthen with services from and to Paddington.

There’s already services to Pembroke Dock and Fishguard around that time, so without unnecessarily duplicating the GWR service there’s not a lot else it can do.

BenBracken said:

I took a service from west Wales to Carmarthen last week which arrived at 11ish, then noticed it was the same unit when I returned at 13.42. Checked on Train Mapper, it sits in Carmarthen for 2 3/4 hours, which I get as it then forms a Manchester service but given there is a shortage of 197s it does seem a waste of resource to have it sat there!

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I believe the two services between Carmarthen and Cardiff that were withdrawn a few timetables ago (roughly 9am and 11am departures from Carmarthen) just sit in Carmarthen until later. On Saturdays they run through to Cardiff as before and I believe if the plan to start the Bristol service goes ahead they will be reinstated for that reason on a weekday too.