British Rail Class 197
The British Rail Class 197 is a class of diesel multiple unit passenger train built by CAF, based on its Civity platform. They are currently operated by Transport for Wales (TfW), split into 51 two-car units and 26 three-car units.
| British Rail Class 197 Civity | |
|---|---|
A TfW Rail Class 197 at Manchester Piccadilly in 2024 | |
Standard class interior of 197115 | |
| In service | 14 November 2022 – present |
| Manufacturer | CAF |
| Built at | Newport, South Wales (body shells imported from Spain) |
| Family name | Civity |
| Replaced | |
| Constructed | 2020–present |
| Formation | 2 or 3 cars per unit (See § Variants) |
| Capacity |
|
| Owners | SMBC Leasing |
| Operators | Transport for Wales Rail |
| Depots | |
| Specifications | |
| Train length |
|
| Car length |
|
| Doors | Double-leaf sliding plug (2 per side per car) |
| Maximum speed | 100 mph (160 km/h) |
| Prime mover(s) | MTU (1 per car) |
| Engine type | Turbo-diesel |
| Cylinder count | 6 per engine |
| Displacement | 12.8 L (780 cu in) per engine |
| Power output |
|
| Transmission | ZF EcoLife hydromechanical |
| Braking system(s) | Electro-pneumatic (disc) (Knorr-Bremse EP2002) |
| Safety system(s) | |
| Coupling system | Dellner |
| Multiple working | Within class |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge |
Seventy-seven Class 197 sets were ordered in 2018 under the franchise obligations made by KeolisAmey Wales, the then-operator of the Wales & Borders franchise. They are based on the Class 195 units that were being received by Arriva Rail North at that time, albeit with various customisations to suit the specification and preferences of KeolisAmey and TfW. This specification was refined to include greater comfort features and to respond to public concerns. Testing of the type commenced shortly after the first completed train arrived at Crewe for commissioning in April 2021.
The first Class 197 set entered service in November 2022 and the type was officially launched two months later. It is planned for the Class 197 to eventually replace Class 158 and Class 175 trains on various regional and regional express routes that form part of the Wales & Borders rail franchise, such as the Cambrian lines. They are also expected to replace Class 150 and 153 units on the Conwy Valley line, and to allow extension of services between Liverpool Lime Street and Chester into both north and south Wales.