• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Do you want Class 197s on your route?

M

Mainline421

Member
Joined
7 May 2013
Messages
923
Location
Aberystwyth
Moderator note - split from

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

Mod Note: Posts #1 - #8 originally in this thread. Especially as the service is usually standing room only as far as Cwmbran in standard class. No, I think the best thing would be too do it the same as it is now with the MKIIIs, with a view to adding a 5th composite car in the future if...
www.railforums.co.uk www.railforums.co.uk

BenBracken said:
Interesting that the Pwllheli line gets the new trains first over Aberystwyth. I’d always thought that branch carried more passengers and its status as a university town creates more demand?
Click to expand...

We don't want the 197s...
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

GRALISTAIR

GRALISTAIR

Established Member
Joined
11 Apr 2012
Messages
10,588
Location
Preston Lancs
tfw756rider said:
Who's "we"? I'm very much looking forward to my first few rides on them on the Cambrian Coast Line in the coming days, and, when the time comes, the rest of the Cambrian Line. Finally, new trains are about to start replacing the now-36-year-old trains!
Click to expand...
Yes. I am looking forward too.
 
Iskra

Iskra

Established Member
Joined
11 Jun 2014
Messages
10,766
Location
West Riding
tfw756rider said:
Who's "we"? I'm very much looking forward to my first few rides on them on the Cambrian Coast Line in the coming days, and, when the time comes, the rest of the Cambrian Line. Finally, new trains are about to start replacing the now-36-year-old trains!
Click to expand...
Bletchleyite said:
I do. Air conditioning that actually works will be a big upgrade in summer.
Click to expand...
Wait while winter and you are being frozen at every station stop, with the ‘heating’ being unable to recover the temperature between stations.
 
Northerngirl

Northerngirl

Member
Joined
16 Aug 2023
Messages
523
Location
Wirral
I don't think its controversial to say the 158s are by far the best 'legacy' stock left, so I understand not wanting to see them go, but we cant keep them forever. The 197s are designed exactly for routes like this, and the improvements with ac, information screens ect more than make up for a slightly rougher ride.
 
LNW-GW Joint

LNW-GW Joint

Veteran Member
Joined
22 Feb 2011
Messages
21,964
Location
Mold, Clwyd
I don't think there's anywhere on the Cambrian-Birmingham route that's passed for more than 85mph (OK, the last few miles to Birmingham International are 100/110) and is mostly nearer 70mph.
So rough riding is unlikely to be a problem.
In any case there's no point protesting, TfW have their plans and there is currently no alternative until ETCS bi-modes appear.
158s have their faults too, leg room being one of them (admittedly the seating upgrade in ATW days was a good one, unlike other 158 fleets with their low-slung tombstone seats), and door access is another.
 
Russel

Russel

Established Member
Joined
30 Jun 2022
Messages
5,613
Location
Lichfield
While they are an upgrade on the 158s, I do worry about the quality of the internal fit out.

I rode a few 197s around North Wales on Monday and they were starting to look a little rough around the edges, internally... Weather this is actually build quality or just a TFW cleaning and maintenance issues, I'm not sure.
 
DS25

DS25

Member
Joined
30 Jul 2024
Messages
135
Location
UK
Russel said:
While they are an upgrade on the 158s, I do worry about the quality of the internal fit out.
Click to expand...
I personally disagree, but anyway thats just personal preference
Russel said:
I rode a few 197s around North Wales on Monday and they were starting to look a little rough around the edges, internally... Weather this is actually build quality or just a TFW cleaning and maintenance issues, I'm not sure.
Click to expand...
I do think that the 197s can be wildly different depending on what unit you are on, as some units can have horrific ride quality, but others can have decent ride quality.
 
Gwr12345

Gwr12345

Member
Joined
28 Jun 2020
Messages
288
Location
Delayed
197s are great, but I do worry about crowding on the Cambrian Coast in the summer. The 158s already get rammed, and they're being replaced by trains with fewer seats.
 
dk1

dk1

Veteran Member
Joined
2 Oct 2009
Messages
19,935
Location
East Anglia
More than happy here with our 755s but I have no problem with the 197s that I have used extensively across Wales & along the Borders.
 
bramling

bramling

Veteran Member
Joined
5 Mar 2012
Messages
20,487
Location
Hertfordshire / Teesdale
Iskra said:
Wait while winter and you are being frozen at every station stop, with the ‘heating’ being unable to recover the temperature between stations.
Click to expand...

Whilst the 158s are reasonably suited to Aberystwyth journeys, they don’t work particularly well on the Pwllheli route. Relatively frequent stops, lots of luggage and numerous local journeys mixed with longer ones isn’t what 158s are best suited for.

I’ve always thought 170s would have been preferable for the Cambrian. ISTR they did occasionally go there under Central Trains?
 
Tetchytyke

Tetchytyke

Veteran Member
Joined
12 Sep 2013
Messages
17,699
Location
Isle of Man
Other than not being big enough, there’s nothing wrong with the 197s. Unlike the 158s they have air conditioning that works.

Iskra said:
Wait while winter and you are being frozen at every station stop, with the ‘heating’ being unable to recover the temperature between stations.
Click to expand...
The heating works fine on the Calder Valley, which also has frequent stops and cold weather in the winter.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top