British Rail Class 197
The Class 197 Civity[1] is a class of diesel multiple unit passenger train which will be built for Transport for Wales by Spanish rolling stock manufacturer CAF. A total of 77 units are to be built, comprising 51 two-car units and 26 three-car units.[2] These trains will look almost identical to the Class 196 units that are being built for West Midlands Trains, with the differences being vehicle formation in some units, and the livery and some interior fittings in all units.
British Rail Class 197 Civity | |
---|---|
Manufacturer | CAF |
Built at | Beasain, Spain (bodyshells) Newport, South Wales (final assembly) |
Family name | Civity |
Replaced | |
Constructed | 2020- |
Number under construction | 77 units to be built |
Formation | 51 x 2-car units 26 x 3-car units |
Fleet numbers | TBC |
Capacity | TBC seats (two car) TBC seats (three car) |
Operator(s) | Transport for Wales |
Depot(s) | Chester, Machynlleth and Cardiff Canton |
Specifications | |
Maximum speed | 160 km/h (100 mph) |
Multiple working | Within class |
Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) (Standard Gauge) |
History
The current Wales & Borders rail franchise, operated by KeolisAmey, commenced on 14 October 2018. During the franchise period, the operator will oversee a full fleet replacement,[3] with a batch of 77 brand new diesel multiple units assembled in CAF’s factory in Newport set to join the fleet between 2021 and 2023.[4] The first Class 197 Driving Motor carriage vehicle bodyshell was assembled, welded and painted in Beasain, Spain by 12 February 2020; the bodyshells will be shipped to Newport for fitment of all components.
Operators
Transport for Wales
When built, Transport for Wales' Class 197 fleet will replace Class 158 and Class 175 units which operate regional routes between Wales and England, as well as services on the Cambrian and Conwy Valley lines. 21 of the 2-car units will be fitted with ETCS signalling equipment to enable them to operate on the Cambrian lines; since late 2010, only ETCS-fitted trains can operate over the route.[5]
Fleet details
Class | Operator | Number | Year Built | Cars | Unit nos. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Class 197 | Transport for Wales | 51 | TBC | 2 | TBC–TBC |
26 | 3 | TBC–TBC |
See also
- British Rail Class 195 - A diesel multiple unit variant of the CAF Civity UK platform being built for Northern Trains.
- British Rail Class 196 - A diesel multiple unit variant of the CAF Civity UK platform being built for West Midlands Trains.
- British Rail Class 331 - An electric multiple unit variant of the CAF Civity UK platform also being built for Northern Trains.
- British Rail Class 397 - An electric multiple unit variant of the CAF Civity UK platform being built for TransPennine Express.
References
- @tfwrail (2 December 2019). "First up, our new Wales and Borders diesel trains, which are being assembled here in Wales, will be Class 197. These will enter service throughout the TfW network from 2022" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- Clinnick, Richard. "CAF confirmed for new Welsh franchise - all 77 trains to be assembled at Newport". Rail Magazine. Rail Magazine. Retrieved 20 March 2019.
- "KeolisAmey reveal new-look Wales trains and services". BBC News. BBC. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
- Barry, Sion (4 June 2018). "How Wales' railways will be transformed with new stations, trains and jobs through investment worth billions". WalesOnline. Cardiff: Reach. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
- https://web.archive.org/web/20110929042530/http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=5009&NewsAreaID=2 Cambrian ETCS fitment