Only having one toilet per unit is going to cause serious problems, especially on the long distance routes and seems a backward step when compared with the 158s and 175s.
The only positive is for Manchester-South Wales services, they'll be 5 car, either mk4 or 2+3 197s. But for those services with only a single unit then the risk of a toilet being out of service will be a concern.
I don’t like the lack of table seats and luggage rack stacks compared to a 158! I live in Aberystwyth so all my journeys are 3 hours and those two things are very useful, I find airline seats horrible
Your TfW 158s are the lovely. Are TfW retaining some or all to concentrate them somewhere and new units elsewhere? Biggest problem with them is capacity as ever. One set Birmingham International to North Wales just isn’t enough. Plus so smart in new livery.
@@Rail_Focus thanks for your thoughts! I’m pained to see so many compromises on what appear good units in the 197s. Ridden 195s happily a few times but never sought a bathroom, yet. Hope Northern or GWR maybe could make use of them. Perhaps even ScotRail could boost Fife Circle capacity until new bi-modal et al in the longer view. Guess it depends on engineering compatibility with so many changes made to different sprinters over the years.
I really like the class 195 (and by extension the 331 but I prefer the 195 cus I like the engine sound) and these just look like better 195s was actually planning on going to wales at some point this year so hopefully I will get one of these :)
Someone did tell me they're the same seats as the Class 800, but they do seem to have more padding than the LNER sets, which is the only 800 I've sat on.
I'm not sure tbh, not that I've noticed, but surely there would be a least a small sign. If not see if you can see the catering area (silver cabinets) cycle storage is by those
Most likely cost, it is a relatively large order. But there's also the issue of interoperability and flexibility. The need 2 car units for the Conwy Valley, but also, 3, 4 and 5 car units depending on the route and time of day, the Flirts don't seem to be suited to working in multiple with space lost due to the centre power car. The 197s are far from perfect, but will be an improvement over 15Xs.
@@Rail_Focus Fair point on the flexibility. We have 3 car flirts in East Anglia running 2 car platforms (Sudbury branch for instance) but they don't see the seasonal traffic variation and you're right a 6 car Flirt is pretty long.
For wheelchair users, I am afraid they are a major step backwards. No table in the wheelchair space, so not safe to have hot drinks. They are far inferior to those they replace, and to think they may be around for more than 20 years.
It is frustrating considering the Valleys are getting step free access, which shows it is possible. But even so they could perhaps of made the onboard facilities better.
It's a very subjective thing. For instance I thought the seats in Amtrak's coaches are rather luxurious, with the thick padding and generous leg room the times I rode them. I have heard other people say they are worn out, broken down, and desperately need replacement. There's a lot of room for opinion.
Looks like a class 150 unit currently in service and not a match for a 170 that are used on my local line to ebbw vale don't feel confident traveling on the local services in the future with these things on long distance service and a tram in the valleys with no toilet going back to the days of the 116 units t f w you can do better than this
Not sure about the "made in Wales" more like "stuck together with superglue in Wales". Cheap As F*ck (I'm sure that's what CAF stands for?!) are having serious issues getting these and the class 196 units into service - the quality of build and software is atrocious! Looking forward to seeing these on the Cambrian Line in Summer with less seats and 1 less toilet than the current 2 car 158s..... Great video BTW!
I hate it, it's horrible hardly any table seats, hardly any toilet only those stupid electric door ones that I hate, only 2 carriages, no damn buffet car what's the bloody point complete waste of money TransportForWales really is the worst train service in the world I've been on better indian trains. Totally disappointed.
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Only having one toilet per unit is going to cause serious problems, especially on the long distance routes and seems a backward step when compared with the 158s and 175s.
The only positive is for Manchester-South Wales services, they'll be 5 car, either mk4 or 2+3 197s. But for those services with only a single unit then the risk of a toilet being out of service will be a concern.
They should now upgrade the Class 800 seats to be like the 197, given the latter seems to have fixed the comfort issues of the Fainsa Sophia
I thought I heard there was talk of that. The padding on the 197 seats definitely seems better.
They look so good 👍 can't wait to ride one.
I'm hoping to ride one again on a proper mainline with decent rails to see if they ride any better.
I don’t like the lack of table seats and luggage rack stacks compared to a 158! I live in Aberystwyth so all my journeys are 3 hours and those two things are very useful, I find airline seats horrible
Exactly, they can’t replace our beloved 158s they just can’t
Whoever gets the displaced 158/8s can count themselves extremely lucky, they’ve served that line very well over the years
Your TfW 158s are the lovely. Are TfW retaining some or all to concentrate them somewhere and new units elsewhere? Biggest problem with them is capacity as ever. One set Birmingham International to North Wales just isn’t enough. Plus so smart in new livery.
Once all cl197s are in service the 158s will be sent off lease. I'd put Mon on Northern snapping them up.
@@Rail_Focus thanks for your thoughts! I’m pained to see so many compromises on what appear good units in the 197s. Ridden 195s happily a few times but never sought a bathroom, yet. Hope Northern or GWR maybe could make use of them. Perhaps even ScotRail could boost Fife Circle capacity until new bi-modal et al in the longer view. Guess it depends on engineering compatibility with so many changes made to different sprinters over the years.
I really like the class 195 (and by extension the 331 but I prefer the 195 cus I like the engine sound) and these just look like better 195s was actually planning on going to wales at some point this year so hopefully I will get one of these :)
The track between Chester and Warrington must be rough as I didn't think much of the 195 ride, but the Class 196 I've been on was good
I think CAF should make a Class 198 for ScotRail.
It looks like ScotRail has a strategy to eliminate DMUs all together, I think any new stock will be bi-mode or hydrogen.
@@Rail_Focus The 350/2s may go to ScotRail
That was really enjoyable to watch, surprised that they will have catering on them to be honest.
Thanks 😀. I think catering is needed for long distance services, some of which can be 3 to 4 hours.
A 3 car set of 197s will contain 2 toilets which is 1 short of the 3 car 158s on northern.
The seats look like the class 800
Someone did tell me they're the same seats as the Class 800, but they do seem to have more padding than the LNER sets, which is the only 800 I've sat on.
does the cycle carriage have a bike sign on the door?? im planning a journey
I'm not sure tbh, not that I've noticed, but surely there would be a least a small sign. If not see if you can see the catering area (silver cabinets) cycle storage is by those
So why have they ordered both them AND flirts? The Stadler units could do everything these can and use the OLE too. Cost?
Most likely cost, it is a relatively large order. But there's also the issue of interoperability and flexibility. The need 2 car units for the Conwy Valley, but also, 3, 4 and 5 car units depending on the route and time of day, the Flirts don't seem to be suited to working in multiple with space lost due to the centre power car. The 197s are far from perfect, but will be an improvement over 15Xs.
@@Rail_Focus Fair point on the flexibility. We have 3 car flirts in East Anglia running 2 car platforms (Sudbury branch for instance) but they don't see the seasonal traffic variation and you're right a 6 car Flirt is pretty long.
Just like the West Midlands Railway Class 196 Civity which are very nice. The Transport for Wales Class 197 are also very nice.
I think the seats are a little more comfortable on the 197s though 😉
@@Rail_Focus Yep 😂👍
Wow nice my friend
one loo though , what have the two bob bits
Great
TFW Replacing The Class 175 158 or 170 Isn't a Good Idea
For wheelchair users, I am afraid they are a major step backwards. No table in the wheelchair space, so not safe to have hot drinks. They are far inferior to those they replace, and to think they may be around for more than 20 years.
It is frustrating considering the Valleys are getting step free access, which shows it is possible. But even so they could perhaps of made the onboard facilities better.
Also why does everyone say 195 seats are hard when they arent
I'm not sure, I thought the 195 seats were fine, but people don't seem to like them.
It's a very subjective thing. For instance I thought the seats in Amtrak's coaches are rather luxurious, with the thick padding and generous leg room the times I rode them. I have heard other people say they are worn out, broken down, and desperately need replacement. There's a lot of room for opinion.
Is that the same seat moquette as Greater Anglia's 720s?
I think so, or they look very similar
On which routes will these units be used?
Manchester - South Wales, North Wales Coast, Chester - Crewe, Conwy Valley, Liverpool - Llandudno.
@@Rail_Focus Thanks.
The Cab design is odd ?
I guess it's the only way they could get it to work with the cab end connectors.
Looks like a good, efficient use of space to me
@@andrewreynolds4949 A cramped Cab, ok for UK railways.
@@unclestuka8543 Still looks roomier than my car
@@andrewreynolds4949 ok it just looks like not a front of a train? It's an end connector. Typical UK design compromise. Europe does it better
Looks like a class 150 unit currently in service and not a match for a 170 that are used on my local line to ebbw vale don't feel confident traveling on the local services in the future with these things on long distance service and a tram in the valleys with no toilet going back to the days of the 116 units t f w you can do better than this
Rhymney and Cortyton and Ebbw Vale will be served by Stadler Flirts, which I believe will have toilets. The 197s are absolutely better than 150s.
Not sure about the "made in Wales" more like "stuck together with superglue in Wales".
Cheap As F*ck (I'm sure that's what CAF stands for?!) are having serious issues getting these and the class 196 units into service - the quality of build and software is atrocious!
Looking forward to seeing these on the Cambrian Line in Summer with less seats and 1 less toilet than the current 2 car 158s.....
Great video BTW!
It's a shame the Cambrian coast units are 2 car, but there will be more of them, so hopefully there will be an increased service or 2+2 formations
CAF are good!
I hate it, it's horrible hardly any table seats, hardly any toilet only those stupid electric door ones that I hate, only 2 carriages, no damn buffet car what's the bloody point complete waste of money TransportForWales really is the worst train service in the world I've been on better indian trains. Totally disappointed.
Give them a chance they're not even in service yet 😉