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

[anthony263]

Hopefully its true just have to see what happens during the next 48 hours or so

 

[6Gtraincrew]

Hopefully its true just have to see what happens during the next 48 hours or so

It's definitely true that a 197 is planned to enter service on the branch on Monday. But I've been on long enough to know things can happen from time to time. But I'd be more surprised if it didn't run that if it does.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

It's definitely true that a 197 is planned to enter service on the branch on Monday. But I've been on long enough to know things can happen from time to time. But I'd be more surprised if it didn't run that if it does.

Excellent news! Finally the rollout can begin and the Wales and Borders passengers can enjoy service and capacity increases and improvements!

 

[Rhys4567]

Conductor today mentioned that the 197s should start on the Conwy Valley on Monday 14th.

 

[warwickshire]

According to the old live rail website Monday to Friday 14th November to Friday 18th November 2022
1. 5D10 0401 Chester Dmud to Lllandudo Junction arr 0505.
2. 1T21 2145 Llandudno junction to Chester arr 2257 . Both STP workings.
Meaning could well be a 197.
As usually the 150 comes up from Crewe on another ecs to Lllandudo Junction. Meaning the STP could well be a 197 for obvious reasons.
STP activated last Friday.
When on TFW last week of October I do remember a few TFW staff telling me about November 14th launch day and done as TFw 197 in Wales made for Wales. However at first rather than following on the Liverpool Lime street to Chester service. Possible they could do the Chester to Lllandudo Junction Shuttle instead for Operation reasons if the 197 on the Blaenau Ffestiniog service actually needs swapping over during the day to get it back to Chester if a need arises or a issue with unit occurs.
However watch this space.

 

[CaergwrleKen]

Any source....? If this is true then it is excellent news!

Train crew appear to know as much as the public.. the ones I spoke to said it was getting put back to the 21st but it appears to be back on for Monday.. all very fluid.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Thanks for all replies. Fingers crossed for one entering service on Monday. Anyone got any idea which unit it is likely to be if it does happen?

 

[EngFocus]

Will there be any way to know for sure by Sunday evening if it's going to run?

 

[FrodshamJnct]

Will there be any way to know for sure by Sunday evening if it's going to run?

Allocations are generally around 2AM the day of service so potentially no.

 

[Bob Price]

Think TfW will sneak this into service without ceremony and make sure it's all working OK before they start shouting from the rooftops

 

[GWVillager]

Think TfW will sneak this into service without ceremony and make sure it's all working OK before they start shouting from the rooftops

Similar situation to the 196s then - does this suggest fears over reliability or is it just being cautious?

 

[anthony263]

Similar situation to the 196s then - does this suggest fears over reliability or is it just being cautious?

Probably a bit of both tfw want to make they working

 

[175001]

From a Railways of North Wales Facebook group, it looks like all systems go for the Blaenau branch tomorrow.

Of course all can change before hand.

 

[EngFocus]

Similar situation to the 196s then - does this suggest fears over reliability or is it just being cautious?

From my experience TfW seem very risk averse. Safety is always key, but it's almost as if TfW are terrified of being publicly embarrassed if something did go wrong, even if it's just a breakdown in passenger service. But that's probably a discussion for another thread.

Now have to contemplate if I want to travel to Llandudno Junction to get there before 7am.

 

[Bletchleyite]

0530 if you want the first service!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

0530 if you want the first service!

ECS kicks off Chester depot at 0401.5 .

Realtime Trains | 5D10 0401½ Chester D.M.U.D. to Llandudno Junction | 14/11/2022

Real-time train running information for 5D10 0401½ departure from Chester D.M.U.D. to Llandudno Junction on 14/11/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Bletchleyite]

I'm actually very slightly tempted to book a hotel in Llandudno and go and ride the first service, I could do there and back before breakfast let alone work!

(My luck would be that it'd be pulled last minute, though, and I'd get up at the crack of dawn to the sight of a mucky 150)

 

[Anonymous10]

I'm actually very slightly tempted to book a hotel in Llandudno and go and ride the first service, I could do there and back before breakfast let alone work!

(My luck would be that it'd be pulled last minute, though, and I'd get up at the crack of dawn to the sight of a mucky 150)

the question is are you feeling lucky hopefully the 197 enters service would free up a 150 to head south where they're also much needed and start boosting capacity.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I'm actually very slightly tempted to book a hotel in Llandudno and go and ride the first service, I could do there and back before breakfast let alone work!

(My luck would be that it'd be pulled last minute, though, and I'd get up at the crack of dawn to the sight of a mucky 150)

Llandudno is lovely, throw in nice warming hot chocolate from the wintry cafe at the foot of the Great Orme and you’ll have a nice little morning there. Adore Llandudno.

So glad to see these trains coming out at last, while I love the 175s, this means the beginning of the admittedly very slow end of Welsh 150s and 158s.

 

[craigybagel]

ECS kicks off Chester depot at 0401.5 .

Realtime Trains | 5D10 0401½ Chester D.M.U.D. to Llandudno Junction | 14/11/2022

Real-time train running information for 5D10 0401½ departure from Chester D.M.U.D. to Llandudno Junction on 14/11/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

That in itself shows that changes are afoot - normally the Blaneau unit comes all the way from Crewe on 5D04, dropping off a unit or two at Chester on the way.

 

[Peter Sarf]

I'm actually very slightly tempted to book a hotel in Llandudno and go and ride the first service, I could do there and back before breakfast let alone work!

(My luck would be that it'd be pulled last minute, though, and I'd get up at the crack of dawn to the sight of a mucky 150)

Look on the bright side. This could be your last chance to ride on a 150 !.... I'll get my coat.

 

[175001]

Looks like 197004 will be the first in service tomorrow morning!

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

That in itself shows that changes are afoot - normally the Blaneau unit comes all the way from Crewe on 5D04, dropping off a unit or two at Chester on the way. 5D04

Doing the shuttle Llandudno-Blaenau all day won't get the train above 50mph, if that.
But it also appears to be doing the 2145 Llandudno-Chester (1T21, normally 1K21 to Crewe) which should get to 90mph in places.
The Chester-Crewe leg also appears to be separate as 1K21.

 

[anthony263]

I've seen.the Facebook posts saying 197004 is the chosen one for Tommorow morning

 

[SuperLuke2334]

I've seen.the Facebook posts saying 197004 is the chosen one for Tommorow morning

Great news! Hopefully the rollout will be smooth and quick from now forward.

 

[Luke McDonnell]

Sounds good any idea when 197s will appear on TfW Liverpool - Chester will that be shortly after this introduction?

 

[The_Train]

Yes it was I saw it at Wolverton. Philip

Thanks Philip

 

[Jez]

Excellent news that a 197 is finally going into passenger service. Hopefully everything goes to plan tomorrow!

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Sounds good any idea when 197s will appear on TfW Liverpool - Chester will that be shortly after this introduction?

I believe that is the intention yes.

 

[175001]

197004 is allocated to it as planned. Leaving Chester now on 5D10.

Looks like it'll finally happen and on my line. Hurrah!