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

[william.martin]

Good that they were able to source a replacement quickly in the form of 004. Nice job by Chester there.

Chester always does a good job when things go wrong.

 

[Jamesrob637]

What time will it arrive at Manchester Airport?

 

[pokemonsuper9]

197006 just left Llandudno Junction, it is due to arrive at the Airport at 15:12 (15:15 by public timetable)
Due to leave the airport at 15:25

Realtime Trains | 1H88 1253 Llandudno Junction to Manchester Airport | 29/12/2022

Real-time train running information for 1H88 1253 departure from Llandudno Junction to Manchester Airport on 29/12/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

It will also be at the airport 21:12-21:25 this evening.

 

[Jez]

Am I right in thinking Manchester Airport-Llandudno requires 6 diagrams each day and 2 of them are usually 197 at the moment? (Although today just 1) I'm guessing 175s are used on the others. Any news yet when they will all become 197s?

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Am I right in thinking Manchester Airport-Llandudno requires 6 diagrams each day and 2 of them are usually 197 at the moment? (Although today just 1) I'm guessing 175s are used on the others. Any news yet when they will all become 197s?

Like with Manchester South Wales, this is the plan but 150 and 158 is very common.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Thank you, on it now!

197006 just left Llandudno Junction, it is due to arrive at the Airport at 15:12 (15:15 by public timetable)
Due to leave the airport at 15:25

Realtime Trains | 1H88 1253 Llandudno Junction to Manchester Airport | 29/12/2022

Real-time train running information for 1H88 1253 departure from Llandudno Junction to Manchester Airport on 29/12/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

It will also be at the airport 21:12-21:25 this evening

 

[Roger B]

Could anyone advise which Llandudno - Airport services are being worked by 197s today, please - and also the unit numbers for each working. (Request also posted on the Urgent TOPS Requests thread).

Many thanks

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Could anyone advise which Llandudno - Airport services are being worked by 197s today, please - and also the unit numbers for each working. (Request also posted on the Urgent TOPS Requests thread).

Many thanks

You can see this for yourself on Realtime Trains as it shows allocations for Transport for Wales stock

Edit: @ls2270 has kindly done the work for you.

197015:
1H83 0743 Llandudno - Man Apt
1D35 1025 Man Apt - Llandudno J
1H88 1253 Llandudno J - Man Apt
1D30 1525 Man Apt - Llandudno
2D77 1808 Llandudno- Llandudno J
2D78 1826 Llandudno J - Llandudno
1H95 1843 Llandudno- Man Apt
1D36 2125 Man Apt - Chester

197010:
1D32 0725 Man Apt - Llandudno
1H86 1043 Llandudno- Man Apt
1D38 1325 Man Apt - Llandudno
1H92 1643 Llandudno- Man Apt
1D44 1925 Man Apt - Chester

for anyone else that wants to know.

Blaenau Ffestiniog is a 153.
Liverpool is 197013

 

[Roger B]

You can see this for yourself on Realtime Trains as it shows allocations for Transport for Wales stock

Edit: @ls2270 has kindly done the work for you.

197015:
1H83 0743 Llandudno - Man Apt
1D35 1025 Man Apt - Llandudno J
1H88 1253 Llandudno J - Man Apt
1D30 1525 Man Apt - Llandudno
2D77 1808 Llandudno- Llandudno J
2D78 1826 Llandudno J - Llandudno
1H95 1843 Llandudno- Man Apt
1D36 2125 Man Apt - Chester

197010:
1D32 0725 Man Apt - Llandudno
1H86 1043 Llandudno- Man Apt
1D38 1325 Man Apt - Llandudno
1H92 1643 Llandudno- Man Apt
1D44 1925 Man Apt - Chester

for anyone else that wants to know.

Blaenau Ffestiniog is a 153.
Liverpool is 197013

Oops! Many thanks - I'd forgotten TfW allocations are on RTT.

 

[Techniquest]

Blaenau Ffestiniog is a 153.

For reasons unknown, reading that made me exclaim "Lords!" It also triggered some memories from the mid-2000s of a journey on a 153 to Ffestiniog, and of an All Wales Flexipass The racket of a 153 to Ffestiniog, I'll take that right now please!

*digs out YouTube for some nostalgia*

As for the 197s, I have my sights on 4th January 2023 for a possible day out, pending strikes of course. IF the railway is open that day, I'll be making my first visit to Manchester in a good while. Quite, it'll be the first red pen fest of 2023. All to play for! If I don't go on the 4th of January, then I'm looking at putting the trip off until at least March.

 

[victormildrew]

I have a question. Does anyone know if or when Abbey Foregate carriage sidings Shrewsbury is going to have the track replaced for the overnight stabling of both the new TFW and WMR units?.

 

[animationmilo]

For reasons unknown, reading that made me exclaim "Lords!" It also triggered some memories from the mid-2000s of a journey on a 153 to Ffestiniog, and of an All Wales Flexipass The racket of a 153 to Ffestiniog, I'll take that right now please!

*digs out YouTube for some nostalgia*

As for the 197s, I have my sights on 4th January 2023 for a possible day out, pending strikes of course. IF the railway is open that day, I'll be making my first visit to Manchester in a good while. Quite, it'll be the first red pen fest of 2023. All to play for! If I don't go on the 4th of January, then I'm looking at putting the trip off until at least March.

4th January will have no trains

 

[SuperLuke2334]

4th January will have no trains

It's the 5th that has trains.

 

[1D54]

It's the 5th that has trains.

Is the 5th not an ASLEF strike date?

 

[animationmilo]

Is the 5th not an ASLEF strike date?

TFW are running on the 5th but no others

 

[Techniquest]

4th January will have no trains

So I have heard since my post, suits me as it means I can instead use the 4th to do things I've been putting off for ages. It'll be a lot cheaper than a day on the trains too!

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Is the 5th not an ASLEF strike date?

TfW aren't in dispute with any unions so they can run trains.

 

[craigybagel]

TfW aren't in dispute with any unions so they can run trains.

Although with so few other trains running it does lead to even worse overcrowding than normal on Manchester services. And the Birminghams don't run any further than Wolverhampton or else they'd be even worse.

 

[Wyrleybart]

TfW aren't in dispute with any unions so they can run trains.

They can provided they are not impacted by neighbouring and contracted TOCs. For example, when WMR ASLEF drivers are taking industrial action, nothing moves on Tyseley - including XC Turbostars. Then there are Network Rail implications.

 

[Anonymous10]

They can provided they are not impacted by neighbouring and contracted TOCs. For example, when WMR ASLEF drivers are taking industrial action, nothing moves on Tyseley - including XC Turbostars. Then there are Network Rail implications.

tfw mostly work out of their own depots luckily ie canton holyhead chester ect

 

[william.martin]

tfw mostly work out of their own depots luckily ie canton holyhead chester ect

Sadly not Shrewsbury abbey forgate, let's hope WMR don't stick a 170 or 196 in the way!

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Sadly not Shrewsbury abbey forgate, let's hope WMR don't stick a 170 or 196 in the way!

I believe that WMR only stable 1 or 2 sets overnight there, so they have a specific siding they use. TfW use the others so I don't think it's possible for it to be in the way.

 

[Bletchleyite]

For reasons unknown, reading that made me exclaim "Lords!" It also triggered some memories from the mid-2000s of a journey on a 153 to Ffestiniog, and of an All Wales Flexipass The racket of a 153 to Ffestiniog, I'll take that right now please!

At least unlike 150s you can see out of the window! The 197 is a real upgrade for the Valley though. Is it the first time ever that it won't be running hand-me-downs or did 150s go on it from new? While it'll never be a super busy line, I can see the 197 driving some level of passenger growth.

 

[william.martin]

I believe that WMR only stable 1 or 2 sets overnight there, so they have a specific siding they use. TfW use the others so I don't think it's possible for it to be in the way.

While the 196's are being introduced I believe there is more than normal at Shrewsbury, I have never seen the yard before the days diagrams begin although I have a photo last month of three roads in use with stabled 196's, though behind them (closer to the yards headhunt and exit) I remember seeing a bunch of TFW sets in the same road.

 

[meld3]

Upgrade? Pah!! I've only done the branch once, with 47449 and a rake of mk1 compo's. In 1986 there was a Stoke-Llandudno that then did a branch trip before heading home. Happy days!!

 

[SuperLuke2334]

A 197 (at least one) is going to be going west of Cardiff tomorrow. It goes to Carmarthen and then returns to Canton via a visit to Landore TMD.

First path is below.

Realtime Trains | 3T01 0700 Chester D.M.U.D. to Carmarthen | 05/01/2023

Real-time train running information for 3T01 0700 departure from Chester D.M.U.D. to Carmarthen on 05/01/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[anthony263]

Looks like a extra 197 to join 197002

 

[SuperLuke2334]

Looks like a extra 197 to join 197002

002 returned to Chester before Christmas, its just finished an exam. Whether it's that one going back down or not I don't know, but if anyone does know what is planned to move on it then that would be much appreciated.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

A 197 (at least one) is going to be going west of Cardiff tomorrow. It goes to Carmarthen and then returns to Canton via a visit to Landore TMD.
First path is below.

Realtime Trains | 3T01 0700 Chester D.M.U.D. to Carmarthen | 05/01/2023

Real-time train running information for 3T01 0700 departure from Chester D.M.U.D. to Carmarthen on 05/01/2023. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Seems to be running in the Mk4 path down the Marches (though running very late).

It's a curiosity that the TfW network will be dead for four days this week, but essentially a full service is operating today, as TfW is not affected by the Aslef strike.
Chester must be about the busiest station outside the Elizabeth line today, with something like 5tph TfW passing through, plus 4tph Merseyrail.
TfW will be the only TOC at Man Piccadilly/Airport/Lime StHL/Warrington/Crewe/Wolverhampton/Newport etc (plus freight/open access).

Do we know why TfW can't get past Wolverhampton?
There doesn't appear to be engineering work between there and New St/International.
No trains past Chepstow towards Gloucester either.

 

[OrangeJuice]

Seems to be running in the Mk4 path down the Marches (though running very late).

It's a curiosity that the TfW network will be dead for four days this week, but essentially a full service is operating today, as TfW is not affected by the Aslef strike.
Chester must be about the busiest station outside the Elizabeth line today, with something like 5tph TfW passing through, plus 4tph Merseyrail.
TfW will be the only TOC at Man Piccadilly/Airport/Lime StHL/Warrington/Crewe/Wolverhampton/Newport etc (plus freight/open access).

Do we know why TfW can't get past Wolverhampton?
There doesn't appear to be engineering work between there and New St/International.
No trains past Chepstow towards Gloucester either.

I think it's because they'd be the only operator at New Street so to avoid overcrowding/safety I think they've shut new street.

Also I believe there's a landslip between Chepstow and Gloucester as journey check has replacement buses running instead between Chepstow and Gloucester