New named train takes to the rails between Swansea and Carmarthen

A new named train is to run between Swansea and Carmarthen.

The Carew Castle Express was named as part of the Magnificent Train Journey competition organised by Transport for Wales (TfW)

The new name was chosen by Rhys Protheroe, a year five pupil at Johnstown Primary School in Carmarthen.

Rhys, as well as other children from his school, were at Carmarthen Railway Station today to see the winning name on the side of one of the new trains.

Carew Castle itself is located in Pembrokeshire, West Wales, and the history of the site can be traced back more than 2,000 years. It was also the name of one of GWR's famed Castle Class steam locomotives.

There has been a recent upgrade in the service between Swansea and Carmarthen as brand new Class 197 trains have been introduced.  Work is still in progress to introduce the trains to more westerly destinations, including Milford Haven and Fishguard Harbour and it is hoped that this will be completed by the end of the year.  The new trains offer greater capacity and enhanced on-board comfort.

TfW first introduced Class 197s to its network at the start of the year, part of an £800m investment into new trains. The fleet is expected to grow gradually.  Another 40 trains are to come, to add to the 37 already delivered.  Class 197 trains will run right across the network and will become the backbone of mainline services.  Some 60 new trains and tram trains will be introduced from next year for use on the South Wales Metro, thus completing TfW's overhaul of its fleet.

Alexia Course, Chief Commercial Officer for TfW, said: “We're excited to be running our brand-new trains in West Wales and we're adding more to our network every few weeks.

“The new trains really transform the customer experience and as we add more to our network. We're building resilience and seeing an improvement in our performance.

“We're delighted to be able to invite one of our Magnificent Train Journey competition winners along to see their chosen name on the train and help inspire the next generation of travellers to chose public transport.”

CAF UK Director Richard Garner commented: “CAF are extremely proud to play a key role in delivering TfW's commitment to transform rail travel for passengers, ensuring a high quality, reliable and comfortable journey.”

“As a local employer we are invested in providing highly skilled jobs at our Newport, South Wales factory to support local employment opportunities whilst focusing on sustainability issues and addressing the needs of the Welsh economy. Today's unveiling of the ‘Carw Castle Express' as named by a local schoolchild further strengthens this relationship with the Welsh communities.”