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British Rail Class 197

The British Rail Class 197[9] is a class of diesel multiple unit passenger train built by CAF, based on its Civity platform. They are operated by Transport for Wales Rail (TfW), split into 51 two-car units and 26 three-car units.[10]

British Rail Class 197
Civity
A TfW Rail Class 197 at Manchester Piccadilly in 2024
Standard class interior of the Class 197
In service14 November 2022 – present
ManufacturerCAF
Built atNewport, South Wales (body shells imported from Spain)[1]
Family nameCivity
Replaced
Constructed2020–present[2]
Formation2 or 3 cars per unit[3]
(See § Variants)
Capacity
  • 2-car: 116 seats
  • 3-car one-class: 188 seats
  • 3-car two-class: 174 seats
    (16 first-class, 158 standard)[4]
OwnersSMBC Leasing[5]
OperatorsTransport for Wales Rail
Depots
Specifications
Train length
  • 2-car: 48.05 m (157 ft 8 in)
  • 3-car: 71.40 m (234 ft 3 in)[6]
Car length
  • DM cars: 24.03 m (78 ft 10 in)
  • MSL cars: 23.35 m (76 ft 7 in)[4]
DoorsDouble-leaf sliding plug
(2 per side per car)[4]
Maximum speed100 mph (160 km/h)
Prime mover(s)MTU[1]
(1 per car)
Engine typeTurbo-diesel
Cylinder count6 per engine
Displacement12.8 L (780 cu in) per engine
Power output
  • 375 kW (503 hp) per engine
  • 2-car: 750 kW (1,010 hp)
  • 3-car: 1,125 kW (1,509 hp)
TransmissionZF EcoLife hydromechanical[note 1][1]
Braking system(s)Electro-pneumatic (disc)
(Knorr-Bremse EP2002)[1]
Safety system(s)
Coupling systemDellner
Multiple workingWithin class
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

Seventy-seven Class 197 sets were ordered in 2018 under the franchise obligations made by KeolisAmey Wales, the then-operator of the Wales & Borders franchise. They are based on the Class 195 units that were being received by Arriva Rail North at that time, albeit with various customisations to suit the specification and preferences of KeolisAmey and TfW. This specification was refined to include greater comfort features and to respond to public concerns. Testing of the type commenced shortly after the first completed train arrived at Crewe for commissioning in April 2021.

The first Class 197 set entered service in November 2022 and the type was officially launched two months later. It is planned for the Class 197 to eventually replace Class 158 trains on various regional and regional express routes that form part of the Wales & Borders rail franchise, such as the Cambrian lines. They are also expected to replace Class 150 and 153 units on the Conwy Valley line, and to allow extension of services between Liverpool Lime Street and Chester into both north and south Wales. In February 2024 they were cleared to run on the Maesteg Line and entered service on the Ebbw Valley Line on 29 April 2024.[11][12]

History

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Background

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Operator KeolisAmey Wales took over the Wales & Borders franchise from Arriva Trains Wales in October 2018. As part of their franchise award, KeolisAmey were required to fully replace the various fleets of trains used to operate the franchise, several of which had originally been inherited from British Rail.[13] Orders were placed with a number of manufacturers for new units, including one for 77 new Civity-family DMUs from Spanish firm Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF). These were based on the Class 195 units that CAF had started delivering to Arriva Rail North earlier in 2018, and were also assembled at CAF's new factory in Newport.[14] Entry into service was expected between 2021 and 2023.[14] Unlike Class 195 units, however, the TfW-ordered DMUs have gangway connections at their ends allowing passengers and crew to move freely between coupled units.

In January 2020, WalesOnline reported that, based on minutes from Transport for Wales board meetings, the organisation had "raised concerns" that the seats specified by KeolisAmey and CAF for the Class 197 order could be considered uncomfortable by passengers. The same model of seat is used on the Class 700 trains employed on Thameslink services in and around London, where some passengers—particularly those making longer journeys—have described them as being like "ironing boards". TfW argued that these would be "unsuitable for long distance journeys", which could last up to three hours on services operated by Class 197 trains, but noted that it did not have a "strong legal argument" to compel KeolisAmey and CAF to change the specification.[15] TfW eventually paid an additional £1.9 million to upgrade to higher-specification Fainsa Sophia seats,[16] although these seats have themselves been the subject of some criticism from passengers of Great Western Railway trains to which they are also fitted.[15][17]

Separately, a passenger advocacy group challenged the fact that TfW had specified only one toilet for each two-car Class 197 unit and two for each three-car unit;[16] a reduction from the one-toilet-per-car configuration on TfW's existing long-distance Class 158 and 175 trains.[4] The group also noted that the Rail Delivery Group's industry guideline for inter-urban trains throughout the UK states that there should be at least one toilet per 85 passengers, and a minimum of two toilets per train regardless of passenger capacity; but that two-car 197s would satisfy neither of these recommendations and that three-car 197s could exceed the 85-passengers-per-toilet ratio when near to fully loaded.[16] TfW stated in response that many services would be operated by two-car Class 197s working as pairs, reducing the number of potential single-toilet services.[18]

Entry to service

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Diesel multiple-unit train number 197125 in service, Transport for Wales, Llandudno Junction station, May 2024.

During December 2019, the Class 197 designation was assigned and, on 14 April 2021, the first completed train—a two-car unit numbered 197001—arrived at Crewe for commissioning.[19][20] Testing of the type commenced soon thereafter.[21] On 18 January 2022, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) granted authorisation for 20 two-car and 12 three-car Class 197 sets to enter passenger use; these initial units were not equipped to use the European Train Control System (ETCS).[3][22]

Unit 197004 was the first to enter passenger service, doing so on 14 November 2022.[23] That same month, the ORR authorised 21 Class 197 units fitted with CAF Signalling’s onboard ETCS at Baseline 3 Release 2 and GSM-R Baseline 1 for operation in ETCS Level 2 and below under recently-introduced regulations.[22] During January 2023, the Class 197 was officially launched at a ceremony officiated by Minister for North Wales Lesley Griffiths and held at Llandudno railway station.[24][25]

The fleet's introduction was phased. In late 2022, the 197s were initially used only on the Conwy Valley Line in a part of North Wales.

In early 2023, the 197s were introduced on North Wales Main Line services, then by mid-2023 they were in service between Cardiff and Swansea in South Wales.

Later in 2023, the 197s were in service between Swansea and Carmarthen in South-West Wales (including on services between Manchester in North-West England and Carmarthen), but initially called at Ferryside in one direction until platform raising work was carried out.

In November 2023, the 197s started working between Wrexham and Bidston on the North Wales/North-West England Borderlands line, alongside the 230s, though this is only temporary until the 230s' reliability issues are resolved.

From early 2024 to June 2024, the 197s carried out partial service in and out of Pembrokeshire - between Carmarthen and Milford Haven every day, and between Carmarthen and Fishguard Harbour on Sundays.

In April 2024, the 197s entered service on the Newport/Cardiff-Ebbw Vale and Maesteg-Gloucester/Cheltenham circuit, though this is only temporary until they are replaced by the 231s, which will be made available when the 756s replace the 231s in the South Wales Valleys.[26]

In June 2024, the 197s started full service in and out of Pembrokeshire - between Carmarthen and Milford Haven, Fishguard Harbour, Pembroke Dock and Tenby every day.

The last 197 introduction will be the ETCS-fitted 197s on the Cambrian line / Birmingham / Holyhead circuit in early 2026. In preparation for this, night-time 197 test runs on the ETCS-signalled Cambrian line (in Mid Wales and part of North Wales) started in May 2022. Daytime 197 test runs on the Cambrian line started in July 2024, successfully alongside in-service 158s. Driver training will take place in 2025.

Fleet details

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Subclass Operator Qty. Year built Cars Unit nos. Notes
197/0 Transport for Wales Rail 30 2020–pres. 2 197001–197002, 197004–197021, 197042–197051[27] Without ETCS
21 197003, 197022–197041[28] With ETCS
197/1 12 3 197101–197112[27] Standard class only
14 197113–197126[29] With "Standard Plus" seating

Variants

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The order for the fleet is divided into four variants, as follows:[27]

  • 30 units formed of two cars (DMSL-DMS) with standard-class seating only, without ETCS;
  • 21 units formed of two cars (DMSL-DMS) with standard-class seating only, with ETCS;[note 2]
  • 12 units formed of three cars (DMSL-MSL-DMS) with standard-class seating only, without ETCS;[27]
  • 14 units formed of three cars (DMSL-MSL-DMC) with a small section of "Standard Premium" seating in the DMC car, without ETCS. These are primarily intended for use between Swansea and Manchester.[4]

Two-car units will be able to run in multiple with up to three other two-car units, while three-car units will be able to run in multiple with up to two other three-car units.[4]

Named and notable units

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TfW organised the Magnificent Train Journey competition, aimed at primary school children, to name its Class 197 units.[24]

  • 197001: Robin Goch Philadelphia / Philadelphia Robin[31][32]
  • 197004: Ddraig Goch Vancouver / Vancouver Red Dragon[31][32]
  • 197007: Happy Valley[33]
  • 197049: Castell Caeriw Cyflym / Carew Castle Express[34]
  • 197125: The Cheltenham Spa Express[35]


Additionally, 197120, although not named on nameplates, carries "Gwnaed yng Nghymru / Made in Wales" livery additions with large Welsh Dragons on its DMSL and DMC vehicles that further emphasise the same text statement that is on the door sill plaques of all 197s.[36]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Combines a mechanical gearbox with a torque converter and hydraulic retarder.[7]
  2. ^ European Train Control System (ETCS) equipment has been necessary for operation on the Cambrian lines since they were converted to use the European Rail Traffic Management System in late 2010.[30]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "First Class 197 DMUs for the Wales and Borders Network". Railvolution. Railway Public s.r.o. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
  2. ^ "Trains for Wales under construction". Rail Business UK. DVV Media International. 2 December 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
  3. ^ a b "TFW Class 197s authorised for duty". Rail Magazine. No. 950. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. 9 February 2022. p. 12.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Table 2B - Rolling Stock Minimum Requirements and Specifications - Sprinter / Rural Service Type" (PDF). Transport for Wales. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  5. ^ Sherratt, Philip, ed. (2023). "ROSCO Fleets". Modern Railways: Review 2023. Stamford: Key Publishing. pp. 18–19. ISBN 978-1-80282-569-5.
  6. ^ "Civity Regional Diesel Trains for Wales and Borders". Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles, S.A. Archived from the original on 11 February 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  7. ^ "EcoLife Rail - Powershift Transmission". ZF Products for Rail Vehicles. ZF Friedrichshafen AG. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
  8. ^ "Transport for Wales expands its use of its new fleet". Network News. Rail Magazine. No. 1008. 1 May 2024. p. 24.
  9. ^ Transport for Wales Rail [@tfwrail] (2 December 2019). "Firstly, the new Wales and Borders diesel trains that will be built here in Wales - the Class 197" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 2 December 2019. Retrieved 1 June 2021 – via Twitter.
  10. ^ Clinnick, Richard (12 June 2018). "CAF confirmed for new Welsh franchise - all 77 trains to be assembled at Newport". Rail Magazine. Bauer Consumer Media Ltd. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  11. ^ "Brand new trains on the Maesteg line". Transport For Wales News.
  12. ^ Pritchard, Robert (June 2024). "Ebbw Vale launch for 197s". Rolling Stock News. Today's Railways UK. No. 268. p. 61.
  13. ^ "KeolisAmey reveal new-look Wales trains and services". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  14. ^ a b Barry, Sion (4 June 2018). "How Wales' railways will be transformed with new stations, trains and jobs through investment worth billions". WalesOnline. Cardiff: Reach plc. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  15. ^ a b Clark, Rhodri (12 January 2020). "Taxpayers to pay £2m for better seats on Wales' new trains". WalesOnline. Reach plc. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  16. ^ a b c Clark, Rhodri (23 April 2020). "Concern about '197' interior spec". Modern Railways. Key Publishing Ltd. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  17. ^ Barry, Sion (7 June 2021). "South Wales to Manchester rail services getting train quality upgrade with first class options". BusinessLive. Reach plc. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
  18. ^ "Transport for Wales defend new Welshpool trains". MyWelshpool. MyTownMedia. 8 August 2020. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  19. ^ Michel, Julien (4 December 2019). "Transport for Wales: meet the fleet". Railcolor News. Railcolor-Ziemon. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  20. ^ Lissenberg, Ferry (19 April 2021). "DMU for Wales: First CAF Civity diesel train outshopped". Railcolor News. Railcolor-Ziemon. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  21. ^ "First of Class 197 on test for Transport for Wales". Rail. No. 932. 2 June 2021. p. 26.
  22. ^ a b Longhorn, Danny (28 November 2022). "Authorisation Granted for Transport for Wales Class 197 DMU & Onboard ETCS". railbusinessdaily.com.
  23. ^ "Soft launch for Transport for Wales Class 197 DMUs". Rail Business UK. Sutton: DVV Media International. 14 November 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  24. ^ a b Kendrick, Suzanne (26 January 2023). "Unveiling of first brand new Transport for Wales trains - Llandudno". northwalespioneer.co.uk.
  25. ^ Tooley, David (26 January 2023). "New £800 million train fleet for Wales and Borders officially launched". Shropshire Star.
  26. ^ "Class 197s launch on Ebbw line". modernrailways.com. 25 April 2024.
  27. ^ a b c d Fletcher, Steve (13 January 2022). "The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011, as amended – Class 197 Diesel Multiple Units" (PDF). Letter to Paul Simmons (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles). London: Office of Rail and Road. UK/51/2022/0003. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 February 2022. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
  28. ^ Fletcher, Steve (23 November 2022). "The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011, as amended – Authorisation of Class 197 ETCS variant including the onboard use of ETCS Level NTC, ETCS Level 2 and below" (PDF). Letter to Paul Simmons (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles). London: Office of Rail and Road. UK/51/2022/0009. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 November 2022. Retrieved 29 November 2022.
  29. ^ Fletcher, Steve (2 June 2023). "The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011, as amended – CAF Class 197 First Class Diesel Multiple Unit Application for Authorisation" (PDF). Letter to Paul Simmons (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles). London: Office of Rail and Road. UK/51/2023/0003. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 June 2023. Retrieved 10 June 2023.
  30. ^ "Pioneering Rail Technology Gets Tested in Wales". Network Rail (Press release). 12 February 2010. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  31. ^ a b Pritchard, Robert (June 2024). "197s named in honour of Hollywood stars". Rolling Stock News. Today's Railways UK. No. 268. p. 61.
  32. ^ a b "New trains named after Wrexham Football Hollywood stars". Transport for Wales News. Retrieved 6 June 2024.
  33. ^ "First new TfW train named 'Happy Valley'". Transport for Wales News. Retrieved 27 October 2023.
  34. ^ "Carew Castle Express unveiled in Carmarthen". Transport for Wales News. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  35. ^ Butlin, Ashley (August 2024). "Multiple Units". Stock Update. The Railway Magazine. Vol. 170, no. 1481. p. 87.
  36. ^ "Freedom of Information Request (DocX)". Transport for Wales. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
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