Transport for Wales

[Sh4318]

The 197s are ok. The seats are pretty good and the layout (at least in the carriages without the galleys), they suffer from the same awful ride quality as the 195s though. Not the worst new train on the market, but not groundbreaking either

I, for one, will miss the 158s when they're fully replaced

[Stu]

The 197s are ok. The seats are pretty good and the layout (at least in the carriages without the galleys), they suffer from the same awful ride quality as the 195s though. Not the worst new train on the market, but not groundbreaking either

I, for one, will miss the 158s when they're fully replaced

Having travelled on TfWs 158s several times in the last few years, the new 197s might take some getting used to, but they are a welcome upgrade.

As I previously wrote here, I travelled to Fairbourne last month for a short holiday, and got to sample one of the new 197s between New Street and Shrewsbury. My only concern was that the 197s don't seem to have as many luggage racks for larger suitcases as the 158s have at the ends of each carriage, though I was able to lift my medium-sized case up onto the overhead racks, which do seem to be able to accommodate larger luggage now.

It remains to be seen how these new trains will cope during the summer months when you have families and groups heading off on holiday to the West Wales coast.

[Stu]

Another trip to Wales, another shambles from TfW! 1222 from New Street was a two-car 197 formation, instead of the usual four-car 158.

Confusingly, the departure boards were only showing the service as going to Aberystwyth & Machynlleth (instead of Pwllheli).

The train got very full very quickly, luckily I managed to get myself a seat. But after Sandwell & Dudley, people were having to stand in the aisles. The train manager announced that the train would only be going to Shrewsbury, where there would be a replacement four-car train waiting. The onboard displays and recorded announcements still said the train was going to Aberystwyth.

To fair as we approached Shrewsbury, the train manager did another announcement to apologise for the severe overcrowding, which was due to a fault with the train that should have operated the service.

Luckily the replacement train was 4 car 158, and so there was plenty of room for everyone.

[Stu]

Luckily the replacement train was 4 car 158, and so there was plenty of room for everyone.

In addition to the above, while passing through Welshpool and Newtown, I noticed that the departure screens on the platform were still only showing the service "for Aberystwyth and Machynlleth" and was 'formed of two carriages'.

The four car unit did its usual division at Machynlleth.

The other stroke of luck was that I was only going to Tywyn - the train arrived there nearly five minutes early, but I saw on RealtimeTrains later on that the service was delayed there for over fifteen minutes, presumably while waiting for a late running train coming in the other direction. (Normally they both arrive at about the same time, as Tywyn is a passing point with double tracks)