New Class 197 trains are being introduced from today, Monday, 19 February, on train services to Maesteg in the Llynfi Valley of South Wales.
The new trains are for services between Maesteg to Cheltenham Spa via Bridgend, Cardiff, Newport, and Gloucester
They are part of an £800 million investment by Transport for Wales to upgrade its rolling stock, and have been assembled at a new factory at Newport in South Wales that Spanish manufacturer CAF built to produce the new trains.
Class 197s will soon become the backbone of Transport for Wales' mainline fleet. 77 of the new trains have been ordered, and they can operate in formations of between two and six carriages.
Following their introduction on Maesteg to Cheltenham services, they are expected to be introduced on services to Ebbw Vale and Pembroke Dock line in time for this summer and on the Cambrian line next year.
They will be phased in gradually, so as more are delivered they will replace the current, older trains, although until delivery of the whole fleet has been completed there will be a mix of the old and the new.
Chief Customer and Culture Officer Marie Daly said the trains would offer a “vastly improved customer experience.
“These brand-new trains offer greater capacity and reliability and will be a marked improvement on what customers have had before.
“The Maesteg line is a key part of our network so I'm delighted that the people along the route will be able to travel on our brand-new trains and enjoy the benefits they bring.
“Our Maesteg services run through Cardiff Central and across to Cheltenham Spa, so getting these new trains on the route is another important milestone as we continue with our vision to create customer-focused services and to encourage people to choose sustainable travel options.
“This will be a vastly improved customer experience and I look forward to seeing customers onboard soon.”
The Deputy Minister for Climate Change with responsibility for Transport, Lee Waters said:“This is great news. Change has been a long time coming, but communities across Wales are now benefitting from our £800m investment in new rolling stock.
“We want to make it easier for people to choose rail and these brand new, made in Wales, trains are modern and comfortable, providing a much-improved experience for passengers travelling to and from Maesteg.”
Why no caerphilly to Newport train
Not seen any yet ! Only an improvement if more carriages and ideal more frequent (and not cancelled)
Bring back class 37s.
Why the change of heart/plan TfWRL.? Class197’s were ordered as a direct replacement for class 158’s and Class 175’s.. Class 158’s run on the Cambrian line, and 175’s were North Wales/Carmarthen/Chester/Crewe etc.. not Cheltenham – Maesteg…! The class 231’s were ordered and built so as to run those routes as well as Ebbw Vale line, what’s changed and why..??
I live in Tonypandy I’d really like to know when the Treherbert to Cardiff + back are starting back up
Easter according to TfW.
We’ve been told 29th February from Tonypandy!
Trains that stop to pick up/drop off passengers at Pontyclun would be nice. Things can only get better but that was said when TFW took over the operation.
Sadly we’ve been seeing these for a while on the Manchester to Cardiff route and they have a terrible vibration issue. The old trains may be worn out but give a much more passenger comfort. I hope they can work out a retrofit otherwise reliability will be a major issue.
They are going rubbish especially when things go on in Cardiff especially when rugby is on and big concerts
Hear hear to Steve’s comment re feet on seats.
Is the Manchester trains benefitting from these new 197s or have they still got clapped out old trains and the ridiculous 2 cattle class carriages ????
We need more trains with more carriages running regularly on long journeys simple !
I was told by TFW in the summer that the class 197s would run from Pembroke to Manchester.
Perhaps the conductors can be encouraged to tell people that seats are not resting places for their feet?