Transport for Wales Rail (2021)

Transport for Wales Rail is a future train operating company owned by Transport for Wales that will commence operating the Wales & Borders franchise on 7 February 2021.

This article is about the train operator that will commence in February 2021. For the current operator, see Transport for Wales Rail Services.
Transport for Wales Rail
Overview
Franchise(s)Wales & Borders
Main region(s)Wales
Other region(s)North West England
West Midlands
Gloucestershire
Parent companyTransport for Wales
Reporting markAW
PredecessorKeolisAmey Wales
Other
Websitewww.tfwrail.wales

History

In May 2018, the Wales & Borders franchise was awarded by Transport for Wales to KeolisAmey Wales.[1] Scheduled to run for 15 years, it commenced in October 2018.[2][3]

With a collapse in revenues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic having made the original franchise financially unviable, on 7 February 2021[4] the franchise will be taken over by the Welsh Government's operator of last resort with KeolisAmey having an involvement in delivering some key projects.[5][6][7][8]

Routes

Transport for Wales Rail will operate on the following routes.[9] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a temporary reduced timetable for essential travel will run and so service patterns are not shown. Services may run on more than one route, and may skip stops.

Non-Valley Routes
RouteStations
North Wales to South WalesHolyhead, Valley, Rhosneigr, Ty Croes, Bodorgan, Llanfairpwll, Bangor Llanfairfechan, Penmaenmawr, Conwy, Llandudno Junction, Colwyn Bay, Abergele & Pensarn, Rhyl, Prestatyn, Flint, Shotton, Chester, Wrexham General, Ruabon, Chirk, Gobowen, Shrewsbury, Church Stretton, Craven Arms, Ludlow, Leominster, Hereford, Abergavenny, Cwmbran, Newport, Cardiff Central
Welsh Marches LineManchester Piccadilly, Stockport, Wilmslow, Crewe, Nantwich, Wrenbury, Whitchurch, Prees, Wem, Yorton, Shrewsbury, Church Stretton, Craven Arms, Ludlow, Leominster, Hereford, Abergavenny, Cwmbran, Newport, Cardiff Central, Pontyclun, Llanharan, Pencoed, Bridgend, Pyle, Port Talbot Parkway, Baglan, Briton Ferry, Neath, Skewen, Llansamlet, Swansea, Gowerton, Llanelli, Pembrey & Burry Port, Kidwelly, Ferryside, Carmarthen, Whitland, Clunderwen, Clarbeston Road, Haverfordwest, Johnston, Milford Haven
... Clarbeston Road, Fishguard and Goodwick, Fishguard Harbour
Cambrian LineBirmingham International, Birmingham New Street, Smethwick Galton Bridge, Wolverhampton, Telford Central, Wellington, Shrewsbury, Welshpool, Newtown, Caersws, Machynlleth, Dovey Junction, Borth, Aberystwyth
... Machynlleth, Dovey Junction, Penhelig, Aberdovey, Tywyn, Tonfanau, Llwyngwril, Fairbourne, Morfa Mawddach, Barmouth, Llanaber, Talybont, Dyffryn Ardudwy, Llanbedr, Pensarn, Llandanwg, Harlech, Tygwyn, Talsarnau, Llandecwyn, Penrhyndeudraeth, Minffordd, Porthmadog, Criccieth, Penychain, Abererch, Pwllheli
Heart of Wales LineShrewsbury, Church Stretton, Craven Arms, Broome, Hopton Heath, Bucknell, Knighton, Knucklas, Llangynllo, Llanbister Road, Dolau, Pen-y-Bont, Llandrindod, Builth Road, Cilmeri, Garth, Llangammarch, Llanwrtyd, Sugar Loaf, Cynghordy, Llandovery, Llanwrda, Llangadog, Llandeilo, Ffairfach, Llandybie, Ammanford, Pantyffynnon, Pontarddulais, Llangennech, Bynea, Llanelli, Gowerton, Swansea
North Wales Coast LineBirmingham International, Birmingham New Street, Smethwick Galton Bridge, Wolverhampton, Telford Central, Wellington, Shrewsbury, Chester, Shotton, Flint, Prestatyn, Rhyl, Abergele & Pensarn, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno Junction, Conwy, Penmaenmawr, Llanfairfechan, Bangor, Llanfairpwll, Bodorgan, Ty Croes, Rhosneigr, Valley, Holyhead
Conwy Valley LineLlandudno, Deganwy, Llandudno Junction, Glan Conwy, Tal-y-Cafn, Dolgarrog, North Llanrwst, Llanrwst, Betws-y-Coed, Pont-y-Pant, Dolwyddelan, Roman Bridge, Blaenau Ffestiniog
Borderlands LineBidston, Upton, Heswall, Neston, Hawarden Bridge, Shotton, Hawarden, Buckley, Penyffordd, Hope, Caergwrle, Cefn-y-Bedd, Gwersyllt, Wrexham General, Wrexham Central
Llandudno to ManchesterLlandundo Junction, Colwyn Bay, Abergele and Pensarn, Rhyl, Prestatyn, Flint, Shotton, Chester, Helsby, Frodsham, Runcorn East, Warrington Bank Quay, Earlestown, Newton-le-Willows, Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Piccadilly, East Didsbury, Manchester Airport
West Wales LineSwansea, Gowerton, Llanelli, Pembury & Burry Port, Kidwelly, Ferryside, Carmarthen, Whitland, Narberth, Kilgetty, Saundersfoot, Tenby, Penally, Manorbier, Lamphey, Pembroke, Pembroke Dock
SwanlineCardiff Central, Pontyclun, Llanharan, Pencoed, Bridgend, Pyle, Port Talbot Parkway, Baglan, Briton Ferry, Neath, Skewen, Llansamlet, Swansea
Maesteg to Cheltenham SpaMaesteg, Maesteg (Ewenny Road), Garth, Tondu, Sarn, Wildmill, Bridgend, Pencoed, Llanharan, Pontyclun, Cardiff Central, Newport, Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot, Chepstow, Lydney, Gloucester, Cheltenham Spa
Chester to CreweChester, Crewe
Crewe to ShrewsburyCrewe, Nantwich, Wrenbury, Whitchurch, Prees, Wem, Yorton, Shrewsbury
Liverpool to WrexhamLiverpool Lime Street, Liverpool South Parkway, Runcorn, Frodsham, Helsby, Chester, Wrexham Greneral
South Wales Valleys
RouteStations
Rhondda LineCardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Cathays, Llandaf, Radyr, Taffs Well, Trefforest Estate, Trefforest, Pontypridd, Trehafod, Porth, Dinas Rhondda, Tonypandy, Llwynypia, Ystrad Rhondda, Ton Pentre, Treorchy, Ynyswen, Treherbert
Merthyr LineCardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Cathays, Llandaf, Radyr, Taffs Well, Trefforest Estate, Trefforest, Pontypridd, Abercynon, Penrhiwceiber, Mountain Ash, Fernhill, Cwmbach, Aberdare
... Abercynon, Quakers Yard, Merthyr Vale, Troed-y-rhiw, Pentre-bach, Merthyr Tydfil
Coryton LineCardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Heath Low Level, Ty Glas, Birchgrove, Rhiwbina, Whitchurch, Coryton
Rhymney LineCardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Heath High Level, Llanishen, Lisvane & Thornhill, Caerphilly, Aber, Energlyn & Churchill Park, Llanbradach, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, Pengam, Gilfach Fargoed, Bargoed, Brithdir, Tir-Phil, Pontlottyn, Rhymney
Ebbw Vale LineCardiff Central, Pye Corner, Rogerstone, Risca & Pontymister, Crosskeys, Newbridge, Llanhilleth, Ebbw Vale Parkway, Ebbw Vale Town
Butetown BranchCardiff Queen Street, Cardiff Bay
Vale of Glamorgan LineCardiff Central, Grangetown, Dingle Road, Penarth
... Grangetown, Cogan, Eastbrook, Dinas Powys, Cadoxton, Barry Docks, Barry, Barry Island
... Barry, Rhoose Cardiff International Airport, Llantwit Major, Bridgend
City LineCardiff Central, Ninian Park, Waun-gron Park, Fairwater, Danescourt, Radyr

Rolling stock

Transport for Wales Rail will inherit from KeolisAmey Wales a fleet of Class 143, 150, 153, 158, 170 and 175 diesel multiple units, Class 230 diesel-battery-electric multiple units, Class 769 bi-mode multiple units and Mark 4 and DVT sets with an allocation of Class 67 locomotives.

The 143s and non-PRM 153s will be withdrawn by 31 May 2021 when their PRM non-compliance dispensation ends. Class 197 and 231 diesel multiple units, Class 756 tri-mode multiple units and Class 398 tram-trains will replace the 150s, remaining 153s, 158s, 175s and 769s by 2023.

Future fleet

All of Transport for Wales Rail's KeolisAmey Wales-inherited and extra temporary fleet is due to be replaced by 2023 (with the exception of the Class 67 locomotives).[10]

Class 67-hauled Mark 4 sets

Six Class 67 locomotives have been adapted to work with three sets each comprising four Mark 4 carriages and a Mark 4 Driving Van Trailer, which will replace the Mark 3 stock previously used on locomotive-hauled services. The twelve carriages and three DVTs were able to cascade from London North Eastern Railway, as a result of the introduction of Class 800s on the East Coast Main Line. Testing and training of these sets commenced on 28 January 2020, but it is not yet known when they will enter service. The Mark 4 coaches will retain the Virgin Trains East Coast livery, but with Transport for Wales labels attached. The Mark 4 Driving Van Trailers will be repainted into the new Transport for Wales livery. Four of the six Class 67 locomotives have been repainted into TfW livery.

Class 230 D-Trains
TfW Class 230 on test prior to delivery

The first "new" trains will also join the fleet during 2021 in the form of 5 Class 230 D-Train diesel-battery-electric multiple units, which are being built in England from former London Underground D78 Stock aluminium bodyshells by start-up rolling stock manufacturer Vivarail.[11]

Orders for 148 brand new units

For the longer term fleet replacement, 148 brand new trains have been ordered. The addition of these trains to the fleet, from 2021 to 2024 but mostly in 2022–23, will allow the 109 (total) Class 150, 153 (13 by then), 158, 175 and 769 units to be withdrawn.

Class 197 Civitys

A total of 77 Class 197 Civity diesel multiple units have been ordered from CAF for long-distance routes. These trains will have end gangways, but fewer toilets than the Class 158 and Class 175 DMUs they replace.[12] They will however be quicker, with more powerful engines and more efficient transmissions for better acceleration, as well as a higher top speed than the 158s.

CAF will undertake fabrication, welding and painting of the Class 197 fleet in their factory in Beasain, Spain. The first Driving Motor carriage vehicle bodyshell had largely passed this stage by 12 February 2020, when it was pictured in the Beasain factory.[13] The painted bodyshells will then be shipped to Newport, South Wales, for further assembly/component-fitment at CAF's new UK factory in Llanwern.[14]

Also, a total of 35 Stadler FLIRT units have been ordered (consisting of 24 Class 756 tri-modes and 11 Class 231 diesel-electrics) along with 36 Class 398 Stadler Citylink tram-trains.[15] These will be manufactured at the Stadler factory in Szolnok, Hungary and assembled at their plant in Bussnang, Switzerland.

Retention of other units/sets

Alongside the brand new fleet, the 12 170s will be retained for the duration of the franchise but will work different routes, including West Wales services, Shrewsbury-Crewe, and the Heart of Wales line (which will depend on the units being cleared to run on it).

The three Mark 4 sets and five Class 230s will also be retained and will remain on the routes they will work from their date of introduction on TfW Rail services.

Fleet summary
Trainset Class Image Type Top Speed Carriages Number Routes Operated Built In Service
mph km/h
Locomotive hauled stock
InterCity 225 Mark 4 Coach 140 225 – 12 North to south inter-city service: Holyhead-Cardiff Central[16] 1989–1992 2021
Driving Van Trailer Control car – 3
Diesel multiple units
CAF Civity 197[17] DMU 100 161 2 51 From 2020 to TBC 2021–23
3 26

Diesel-electric multiple units
Vivarail D-Train 230[19] DEMU 60 97 3 5 2019–2020 2021
Stadler FLIRT 231 100 161 4 11 2021–22 2022
Tri-mode multiple units[20]
Stadler FLIRT 756 TMU 100 161 3 7 Services between Caerphilly/Coryton to Penarth[21][22] TBC 2023
4 17 Services between Rhymney to Barry Island/Bridgend via VoG[21][22]

Tram-trains
Stadler Citylink 398 Tram-train TBC 3 36 Services to Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil[20] 2020[23] - TBC 2022–23

References
  1. Keolis/Amey wins £5bn Wales rail contract Archived 2020-11-09 at the Wayback Machine BBC News 23 May 2018
  2. Welsh Revival Railways Illustrated issue 186 August 2018 page 6
  3. TfW Rail Services Begin Operation Modern Railways issue 842 November 2018 page 12
  4. Welsh Government Renationlises Train Operations Modern Railways issue 867 December 2020 page 10
  5. Written Statement: Future of Rail update Welsh Government 22 October 2020
  6. Transport for Wales rail services to be nationalised BBC News 22 October 2020
  7. Welsh Government takes control of franchise The Railway Magazine issue 1436 November 2020 page 6
  8. Welsh Government takes control of Wales & Borders Rail issue 917 4 November 2020 page 14
  9. "Network Map" (PDF). tfwrail.wales. Transport for Wales. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  10. "£800m fleet renewal plan for new Welsh franchise". International Railway Journal. Simmons-Boardman. 4 June 2018. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  11. "New trains will be a boost for North Wales rail passengers". Press Release. Welsh Government. 28 March 2019. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  12. Clark, Rhodri (23 April 2020). "Concern about '197' interior spec". Modern Railways. Key Publishing Ltd. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  13. "TfW report completion of first class 197 bodyshell". Twitter. Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  14. "CAF commences design and engineering on DMUs for Wales and Borders franchise". Rail Technology Magazine. Cognitive Publishing. 21 February 2019. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  15. "STADLER TO DELIVER 71 NEW TRAINS FOR WALES & BORDERS". Press Release. Stadler Rail AG. 28 February 2019. Archived from the original on 2 April 2019. Retrieved 2 April 2019.
  16. "What's Happening in North Wales". ransport for Wales. Archived from the original on 7 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  17. "KeolisAmey reveal new-look Wales trains and services". BBC News. BBC. 4 June 2018. Archived from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  18. "What this means for Mid and South West Wales". tfw.gov.wales. Transport for Wales. Archived from the original on 14 October 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
  19. "Service Improvements" (PDF). Transport for Wales. Welsh Government. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  21. "AMs WB Overview Presentation vJP AM" (PDF). KeolisAmey Wales. KeolisAmey Wales. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  22. "CVL Rolling Stock List" (PDF). Transport for Wales. Transport for Wales. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 January 2021. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
  23. Trains for Wales under construction Archived 2020-12-04 at the Wayback Machine - Rail Business UK. Retrieved 14 December 2020

Media related to Transport for Wales Rail (2021) at Wikimedia Commons

Preceded by
KeolisAmey Wales		 Operator of Wales & Borders franchise
2021 -		 Succeeded by
Incumbent
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.