Transport for Wales Class 197 Civity Fleet
UK (Wales & Borders franchise; North Wales, South Wales, West Midlands of England) · 2020–present (built), 2022 (first service)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe decision to pay an additional £1.9 million for higher-specification seats highlights the importance of passenger feedback and comfort in rolling stock procurement, even if it incurs additional costs. - The debate over the number of toilets per unit, and the subsequent justification based on multiple-unit operation, demonstrates the challenges of balancing design constraints with passenger service standards. - The phased introduction of the fleet, including specific authorization for ETCS-fitted units, illustrates the rigorous process of commissioning new trains, especially those with advanced signalling systems. - The project's emphasis on local assembly in Newport, South Wales, contributes to regional economic development and skill-building.
Key engineering challenges
Customizing the Civity platform to meet specific Welsh requirements, including gangway connections at car ends for inter-unit movement. - Addressing passenger comfort concerns regarding seating for long-distance journeys, leading to an upgrade to higher-specification seats. - Integrating European Train Control System (ETCS) for operation on lines like the Cambrian line, requiring specific authorization and testing. - Balancing passenger capacity with amenities like toilets, especially for two-car units, to meet industry guidelines and passenger expectations.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- SMBC Leasing (owner); Transport for Wales Rail (operator)
- Lead contractor
- CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles)
- Lead designers
- CAF
- Project type
- vehicle/fleet programme
- Scale
- 77 units (51 x 2-car, 26 x 3-car); 2-car unit length: 48.05 m; 3-car unit length: 71.40 m; Max speed: 100 mph (160 km/h); Power output: 375 kW (503 hp) per engine (1 engine per car)
- Disciplines
- Mechanical; Electrical; Systems; Software
- Standards & frameworks
- UK railway standards; European Train Control System (ETCS)
Sources: British Rail Class 197 - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_197) - Railway Technology: Class 197 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU), Wales, UK (https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/class-197-diesel-multiple-unit-dmu-wales-uk/) - Rail Journal: Transport for Wales officially unveils new CAF class 197 DMUs (https://www.railjournal.com/fleet/transport-for-wales-officially-unveils-new-caf-class-197-dmus/)