Transport for Wales Rail

Welsh train operating company

This article is about the Welsh government-owned current train operating company. For the parent government-owned regulating body, see Transport for Wales. For the former operator, which also operated as "Transport for Wales", see KeolisAmey Wales.

Transport for Wales RailTrafnidiaeth Cymru Trenau

A Class 197 and Class 231 at Cardiff Central in July 2023

Overview
Franchise(s)| Wales & Borders
Main region(s)| Wales
Other region(s)|

* North West England
* West Midlands
* South West England

Fleet|

* Class 67
* Class 150 Sprinter
* Class 153 Super Sprinter
* Class 158 Express Sprinter
* Class 197 Civity
* Class 230 D-Train
* Class 231 FLIRT
* Class 756 FLIRT
* Mark 4 carriages

Stations operated| 248
Parent company| Transport for Wales (for Welsh Government)
Headquarters| Pontypridd[1]
Reporting mark| AW[a]
Dates of operation| 7 February 2021 (2021-02-07)-
Predecessor| KeolisAmey Wales
Other
Website| tfw.wales

Route map

Transport for Wales Rail Limited, branded as Transport for Wales and TfW Rail (Welsh: Trafnidiaeth Cymru and TrC Trenau), is a Welsh publicly owned train operating company, a subsidiary of Transport for Wales (TfW), a Welsh Government-owned company. It commenced operations of the day to day services of the Wales & Borders franchise on 7 February 2021, as an operator of last resort, succeeding KeolisAmey Wales.

Transport for Wales Rail manages 248 National Rail stations,[2][3] including all 223 in Wales,[4] and operates all passenger mainline services wholly within Wales, and services along the England–Wales border, many of which run into or through England.

## History

[edit]

During May 2018, the Wales & Borders franchise was awarded by Transport for Wales to KeolisAmey Wales.[5] Operations commenced in October 2018; at this point, the franchise was scheduled to run for 15 years.[6][7]

Within two years, the franchisee had experienced a collapse in revenues and a significant reduction in passenger numbers, which was largely attributable to the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic; this trend led to the financial circumstances of the KeolisAmey Wales franchise becoming untenable. In response, during October 2020, the Welsh Government announced that it would be transferring operations of the Wales & Borders franchise from KeolisAmey Wales to an operator of last resort.[8][9][10] It was also stated that, despite the early termination of the franchise, KeolisAmey and Transport for Wales would continue a partnership to enact further improvements on the network; specifically, Amey Infrastructure Wales (AIW) would remain involved in the delivery of various key projects, such as upgrading the Core Valley Lines.[11]

On 7 February 2021, the Welsh Government-owned operator Transport for Wales Rail Limited took over running the franchise's services.[12][13]

Perhaps one of the most prominent undertaking for TfW Rail is the implementation and future operation of the South Wales Metro; this will involve various infrastructure changes, including a brand new depot at Taff's Well, as well as a new fleet of trains built by Stadler Rail.[14][15] One of the more unusual elements of this programme is the fleet of Class 398 battery-electric tram-trains, which will operate on both on-street tracks and conventional railways.[16]

Since taking on operations, Transport for Wales has introduced numerous changes to ticketing. On 24 January 2021, it launched a pilot scheme involving 90 convenience stores across South Wales to provide a new means of purchasing rail tickets; this scheme operated via a partnership with Payzone and used SilverRail retailing technology. TfW is the first UK-based train operating company to partner with Payzone.[17] During August 2023, this arrangement was extended to North Wales and the Wirral via a partnership between Transport for Wales and numerous local businesses under which train tickets became available for purchase from local retail outlets offering a Payzone facility.[18] That same year, a new ticketing arrangement with Unicard came into effect, enabling Transport for Wales to become the first British train operator outside of London to deploy contactless EMV services.[19]

Funding for Transport for Wales Rail's operations is sourced from both the Welsh and British governments.[20] Cost increases, such as the South Wales Metro's original budget of £738 million having risen to in excess of £1 billion, have been politically controversial.[21] During October 2023, the Welsh government announced that it would provide an additional £125 million for Transport for Wales in response to a revenue shortfall from fares; this funding top-up was a substantial rise at a time of considerably budgetary pressure.[22][23]

## Services

[edit]

As of June 2024[update], Transport for Wales Rail operates these regular and daily services Monday to Friday:[24][25]

North Wales to South Wales

Route | tpd | Calling at
Holyhead to Cardiff Central | 8 |

* Valley,[b] Rhosneigr,[b] Tŷ Croes,[b] Bodorgan,[b] Llanfairpwll,[b] 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, Pontypool and New Inn, Cwmbran, Newport

Marches, West Wales, Crewe–Shrewsbury Lines and Swanline
Route | tph | Calling at
Manchester Piccadilly to Cardiff Central | 1 |

* Stockport, Wilmslow, Crewe, Nantwich, Wrenbury,[b] Whitchurch, Prees,[b] Wem, Yorton,[b] Shrewsbury, Church Stretton, Craven Arms, Ludlow, Leominster, Hereford, Abergavenny, Pontypool and New Inn, Cwmbran, Newport

* 6 trains per day are extended to Swansea calling at
* Bridgend, Port Talbot Parkway and Neath
* of which 5 extend to Carmarthen calling at
* Gowerton, Llanelli, Pembrey and Burry Port, Kidwelly and Ferryside
* and 1 tpd extends to Tenby calling at
* Whitland, Narberth,[b] Kilgetty[b] and Saundersfoot[b]

Swansea to Fishguard Harbour | 4tpd |

* Gowerton, Llanelli, Pembrey and Burry Port, Kidwelly, Ferryside, Carmarthen, Whitland, Clunderwen,[b] Clarbeston Road,[b] Fishguard and Goodwick

Cardiff Central to Milford Haven | 1tp2h |

* Bridgend, Port Talbot Parkway, Neath, Swansea, Gowerton, Llanelli, Pembrey and Burry Port, Kidwelly,[b] Ferryside,[b] Carmarthen, Whitland, Clunderwen,[b] Clarbeston Road, Haverfordwest, Johnston

* 5 trains per day Cardiff-bound extend to Manchester Piccadilly, calling at Newport, Cwmbran, Pontypool and New Inn (2tpd), Abergavenny, Hereford, Leominster, Ludlow, Craven Arms, Church Stretton, Shrewsbury, Nantwich, Crewe, Wilmslow, and Stockport.

Swansea to Pembroke Dock | 1tp2h |

* Gowerton, Llanelli, Pembrey and Burry Port, Kidwelly, Ferryside, Carmarthen, Whitland, Narberth,[b] Kilgetty,[b] Saundersfoot,[b] Tenby, Penally,[b] Manorbier, Lamphey,[b] Pembroke

Cardiff Central to Swansea | 1 |

* Pontyclun, Llanharan, Pencoed, Bridgend, Pyle, Port Talbot Parkway, Baglan, Briton Ferry, Neath, Skewen, Llansamlet

Crewe to Shrewsbury | 1tp2h |

* Nantwich, Wrenbury,[b] Whitchurch, Prees,[b] Wem, Yorton[b]

Cambrian Line
Route | tph | Calling at
Birmingham International to Aberystwyth | 1tp2h |

* Birmingham New Street, Sandwell & Dudley, Wolverhampton, Telford Central, Wellington, Shrewsbury, Welshpool, Newtown, Caersws, Machynlleth, Dovey Junction, Borth, Bow Street

* This route splits/merges at Machynlleth with the route to Pwllheli (see below)

Birmingham International to Pwllheli | 1tp2h |

* Birmingham New Street, Sandwell & Dudley, Wolverhampton, Telford Central, Wellington, Shrewsbury, Welshpool, Newtown, Caersws, Machynlleth, Dovey Junction, Penhelig,[b] Aberdovey, Tywyn, Tonfanau,[b] Llwyngwril,[b] Fairbourne, Morfa Mawddach,[b] Barmouth, Llanaber,[b] Talybont,[b] Dyffryn Ardudwy,[b] Llanbedr,[b] Pensarn,[b] Llandanwg,[b] Harlech, Tygwyn,[b] Talsarnau,[b] Llandecwyn,[b] Penrhyndeudraeth, Minffordd, Porthmadog, Criccieth, Penychain,[b] Abererch[b]

* This route splits/merges at Machynlleth with the route to Aberystwyth (see above)

Heart of Wales line
Route | tpd | Calling at
Shrewsbury to Swansea | 4 |

* Church Stretton, Craven Arms, Broome,[b] Hopton Heath,[b] Bucknell,[c] Knighton, Knucklas,[b] Llangynllo,[b] Llanbister Road,[b] Dolau,[c] Pen-y-Bont,[b] Llandrindod, Builth Road,[b] Cilmeri,[b] Garth,[b] Llangammarch,[b] Llanwrtyd, Sugar Loaf,[b] Cynghordy,[b] Llandovery, Llanwrda,[c] Llangadog,[c] Llandeilo, Ffairfach[d] , Llandybie,[c] Ammanford,[c] Pantyffynnon, Pontarddulais,[b] Llangennech,[b] Bynea,[b] Llanelli, Gowerton

North Wales Coast Line
Route | tph | Calling at
Birmingham International to Holyhead | 1tp2h |

* Birmingham New Street, Sandwell & Dudley, Wolverhampton, Bilbrook,[e] Codsall,[e] Albrighton,[e] Cosford,[e] Shifnal,[e] Telford Central, Oakengates,[e] Wellington, Shrewsbury, Gobowen, Chirk, Ruabon, Wrexham General, Chester, Shotton, Flint, Prestatyn, Rhyl, Abergele & Pensarn, Colwyn Bay, Llandudno Junction, Conwy, Penmaenmawr, Llanfairfechan, Bangor, Llanfairpwll,[b] Bodorgan,[b] Tŷ Croes,[b] Rhosneigr,[b] Valley[b]

Conwy Valley line
Route | tpd | Calling at
Llandudno to Blaenau Ffestiniog | 6 |

* Deganwy, Llandudno Junction, Glan Conwy,[b] Tal-y-Cafn,[f] Dolgarrog,[b] North Llanrwst,[b] Llanrwst, Betws-y-Coed, Pont-y-Pant,[b] Dolwyddelan,[b] Roman Bridge[b]

Borderlands line
Route | tph | Calling at
Bidston to Wrexham Central | 4⁄3 |

* Upton, Heswall, Neston, Hawarden Bridge,[b] Shotton, Hawarden, Buckley, Penyffordd, Hope, Caergwrle, Cefn-y-Bedd, Gwersyllt, Wrexham General

Llandudno–Manchester, Chester–Crewe, and Liverpool–Wrexham
Route | tph | Calling at
Llandudno to Manchester Airport | 1 |

* Deganwy, Llandudno Junction, Colwyn Bay, Abergele & Pensarn, Rhyl, Prestatyn, Flint, Shotton, Chester, Helsby, Frodsham, Runcorn East, Warrington Bank Quay, Earlestown, Newton-le-Willows, Manchester Oxford Road, Manchester Piccadilly, East Didsbury

Chester to Crewe | 1 | Shuttle service
Liverpool Lime Street to Chester | 1 |

* Liverpool South Parkway, Runcorn, Frodsham, Helsby

Cardiff–Cheltenham
Route | tph | Calling at
Cardiff Central to Cheltenham Spa | 1 |

* Newport, Severn Tunnel Junction, Caldicot, Chepstow, Lydney, Gloucester

Ebbw Valley Railway and Maesteg line
Route | tph | Calling at
Ebbw Vale Town to Maesteg | 1 |

* Ebbw Vale Parkway, Llanhilleth, Newbridge, Crosskeys, Risca and Pontymister, Rogerstone, Pye Corner, Cardiff Central, Pontyclun, Llanharan, Pencoed, Bridgend, Wildmill, Sarn, Tondu, Garth, Maesteg (Ewenny Road)

Ebbw Vale Town to Newport | 1 |

* Ebbw Vale Parkway, Llanhilleth, Newbridge, Crosskeys, Risca and Pontymister, Rogerstone, Pye Corner

Rhondda, Merthyr, City and Butetown branch lines
Route | tph | Calling at
Cardiff Central to Treherbert | 2 |

* Cardiff Queen Street, Cathays, Llandaf, Radyr, Taffs Well, Trefforest Estate, Trefforest, Pontypridd, Trehafod, Porth, Dinas Rhondda, Tonypandy, Llwynypia, Ystrad Rhondda, Ton Pentre, Treorchy, Ynyswen

Merthyr Tydfil to Aberdare via Cardiff Central | 2 |

* Pentre-bach, Troed-y-rhiw, Merthyr Vale, Quakers Yard, Abercynon, Pontypridd, Trefforest, Trefforest Estate, Taffs Well, Radyr, Llandaf, Cathays, Cardiff Queen Street, Cardiff Central, Ninian Park, Waun-gron Park, Fairwater, Danescourt, Radyr, Taffs Well, Trefforest Estate, Trefforest, Pontypridd, Abercynon, Penrhiwceiber, Mountain Ash, Fernhill, Cwmbach

Cardiff Bay to Pontypridd | 2 |

* Cardiff Queen Street, Cathays, Llandaf, Radyr, Taffs Well, Trefforest Estate, Trefforest

Cardiff Bay to Cardiff Queen Street | 2 | Shuttle service
Rhymney, Vale of Glamorgan and Coryton lines
Bridgend to Rhymney | 1 |

* Llantwit Major, Rhoose Cardiff International Airport, Barry, Barry Docks, Cadoxton, Dinas Powys, Eastbrook, Cogan, Grangetown, Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Heath High Level, Llanishen, Lisvane and Thornhill, Caerphilly, Aber, Llanbradach, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, Pengam, Bargoed, Brithdir, Tir-Phil, Pontlottyn

Barry Island to Rhymney | 1 |

* Barry, Barry Docks, Cadoxton, Dinas Powys, Eastbrook, Cogan, Grangetown, Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Heath High Level, Llanishen, Lisvane and Thornhill, Caerphilly, Aber, Llanbradach, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, Pengam, Bargoed

Barry Island to Bargoed | 2 |

* Barry, Barry Docks, Cadoxton, Dinas Powys, Eastbrook, Cogan, Grangetown, Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Heath High Level, Llanishen, Lisvane and Thornhill, Caerphilly, Aber, Energlyn & Churchill Park, Llanbradach, Ystrad Mynach, Hengoed, Pengam, Gilfach Fargoed (1tph)

Penarth to Caerphilly | 2 |

* Dingle Road, Grangetown, Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Heath High Level, Llanishen, Lisvane and Thornhill

Penarth to Coryton | 2 |

* Dingle Road, Grangetown, Cardiff Central, Cardiff Queen Street, Heath Low Level, Ty Glas, Birchgrove, Rhiwbina, Whitchurch

1. ^ Reporting mark inherited from Arriva Trains Wales, the operator of the franchise between 2003 and 2018.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay az ba bb bc bd be bf bg bh bi bj bk bl bm bn Request stop
3. ^ a b c d e f Request stop for services towards Swansea
4. ^ Request stop for services towards Shrewsbury
5. ^ a b c d e f Limited service
6. ^ Request stop for services towards Llandudno

## Rolling stock

[edit]

### Overview

[edit]

This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources in this section. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (December 2020) (Learn how and when to remove this message)

|

Transport for Wales Rail inherited KeolisAmey Wales's fleet, which consisted 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.[26][27]

During its first years of operation, TfW Rail enacted multiple fleet changes. This was largely driven by pre-existing procurement arrangements that had been arranged by KeolisAmey Wales; at one point, it was intended for the majority of TfW Rail's inherited rolling stock, along with additional temporary vehicles, to be replaced by 2023 (with the exception of the Class 67 locomotives).[28] Under these plans, the Class 197 and 231 diesel multiple units, Class 756 tri-mode multiple units and Class 398 tram-trains were set to replace the Class 150, Class 153, and Class 158 fleets.

### Current fleet

[edit]

Family  | Class[26] | Image  | Type[26] | Top speed  | Number[26] | Carriages[26] | Routes operated[26] | Built[27]

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

mph[26] | km/h
Locomotive-hauled stock
Premier Service | 67 |  | Diesel locomotive | 125  | 200  | 12[29] | –  |

* Manchester Piccadilly–Cardiff Central/Swansea
* Holyhead–Cardiff Central

| 1999–2000
Mark 4 |  | Coach | 140  | 225  | 37[30] | 4 or 5  |

* Manchester Piccadilly–Cardiff Central/Swansea
* Holyhead–Cardiff Central
* To run as 7 x 4 or 5 coach + DVT sets with a spare DVT, SV and TOE[31]

| 1989–1992
Driving Van Trailer |  | Control car | 8[30] | 1
Diesel multiple unit
Sprinter | 150 |  | DMU | 75  | 120  | 31[32][33] | 2  |

* Valley Lines & Cardiff local routes
* Heart of Wales/West Wales lines
* Regional services between south and west Wales, north-west England and south-west England

| 1987
153 Super Sprinter |  | 13[34] | 1  | 1987–1988
158 Express Sprinter |  | 90  | 145  | 24  | 2  |

* Cambrian line
* West Wales lines
* North Wales Coast Line
* Shrewsbury–Chester line
* Regional services between south and north Wales, north-west England and south-west England

| 1989–1992
CAF Civity | 197[35] |  | 100  | 161  | 51  | 2  |

* Regional services between North, South and West Wales and England[31][36]
* Borderlands line
* Conwy Valley line[37]

| From 2020
26  | 3

Diesel-battery electric multiple unit
Vivarail D-Train | 230[38] |  | D BEMU[39][40][41][42] | 60  | 97  | 5  | 3  |

* Borderlands line

| 2019–2020
Diesel-electric multiple unit
Stadler FLIRT | 231 |  | DEMU | 90  | 145  | 11  | 4  |

* Valley Lines (Rhymney line and southwards to Barry Island and Bridgend via Vale of Glamorgan Line)

| 2020–2022
Tri-mode multiple units[43]
Stadler FLIRT | 756 |  | TMU | 75  | 120  | 7  | 3  |

* Valley Lines (Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare lines)[44]

| 2021–2023
17  | 4

### Newly introduced / future fleet

[edit]

#### Cascades and refurbishments

[edit]

##### Class 67-hauled Mark 4 set

[edit]

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.[citation needed] The twelve carriages and three DVTs were able to cascade from London North Eastern Railway, as a result of the introduction of Class 800s andClass 801s on the East Coast Main Line.[citation needed] The Mark 4 coaches have retained the Virgin Trains East Coast livery, but with Transport for Wales labels attached.[citation needed] The Mark 4 Driving Van Trailers will be repainted into the new Transport for Wales livery.[citation needed] Four of the six Class 67 locomotives have been repainted into TfW Rail livery.[citation needed] TfW Rail introduced the Mark 4 sets in June 2021 on Cardiff to Holyhead services, and from December 2022 they will operate services between Swansea and Manchester using trains which had previously been planned to be used on the Blackpool route by Grand Central.[45] The three Mark 4 sets will be retained and will remain on the routes they will work from their date of introduction on TfW Rail services.[citation needed]

##### Class 153

[edit]

TfW Rail will retain eight Class 153 units to operate services on the Heart of Wales line.[46]

#### New trains

[edit]

For the longer term fleet replacement, 148 brand new trains will be introduced including 77 CAF Civity trains (Class 197), 35 FLIRT trains (Class 231 & Class 756) and 36 Citylink tram-trains (Class 398) 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 Civity

[edit]

A total of 77 Class 197 Civity diesel multiple units were ordered from CAF for long-distance routes. These trains have end gangways, but fewer toilets than the Class 158 and Class 175 DMUs they replace.[47] They are however faster, with more powerful engines and more efficient transmissions for better acceleration, as well as a higher top speed than the Class 158. 51 units are two-cars in length and 26 are three-cars in length.[27]

CAF undertook the 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.[48] The painted bodyshells were shipped to Newport, South Wales, for further assembly and component fit-out at CAF's new UK factory in Llanwern.[49]

##### Class 230 D-Train

[edit]

TfW Rail Class 230 at Wrexham Central

Five Class 230 D-Train diesel-battery electric multiple units[27] were built in England from former London Underground D78 Stock aluminium bodyshells by start-up rolling stock manufacturer Vivarail between 2019 and 2020.[27][50] Originally expected to enter service from May 2022,[51] they began operations on the Borderlands line at the beginning of April 2023.[52][53][54]

##### Class 756/231 FLIRT and Class 398 Citylink

[edit]

A total of 35 Stadler FLIRT units have been ordered (consisting of 24 Class 756 tri-modes – 7 three-car & 17 four-car units – and 11 Class 231 diesel-electrics), along with 36 Class 398 Citylink tram-trains.[55] These units will be manufactured at Stadler's factory in Szolnok, Hungary, and assembled at their plant in Bussnang, Switzerland. The Class 398 tram-trains are particularly unusual, being able to operate on both heavy rail and at street-level; accordingly, each three car unit features level boarding and has a maximum passenger capacity of 256. In March 2023, the first of these tram-trains was delivered; testing commenced nine months later.[56][57] In November 2024, the first of the Class 756 tri-mode trains entered service on the Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare lines.[44]

#### Future fleet summary

[edit]

Family  | Class  | Image  | Type  | Top speed  | Number  | Carriages  | Routes operated  | Built  | In service

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

mph  | km/h
Tram-trains
Stadler Citylink | 398 |  | Tram-train | 62  | 100  | 36  | 3  | Light Rapid Transit Services between Cardiff and Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil | From 2020[43] | Planned for 2025

### Past fleet

[edit]

On 29 May 2021, TfW Rail permanently withdrew its fleet of Class 143 Pacers, which were not compliant with persons with reduced mobility legislation (PRM) and their PRM dispensation expired; their duties were taken over by PRM-compliant vehicles.[58][59]

Between September 2021 and November 2022, all of TfW Rail's two-car Class 170 sets were transferred to East Midlands Railway.[60][61] Operation of the three-car Class 170 continued through to spring 2023, at which point the last of TfW Rail's three-car units was transferred to the East Midlands. The final '170' transferred on 29 January 2024.[60][62]

In May 2022, Transport for Wales announced the abrupt withdrawal of two Class 150 trains from service after they were involved with a collision at Craven Arms.[63] In May 2023, Transport for Wales withdrew the last of its Class 769 fleet from service.[64] In February 2023, the first of the Class 175 sets was withdrawn from service partially as a result of multiple fires.[65] The entire Class 175 fleet was withdrawn on 17 October 2023.[66]

Family  | Class  | Image  | Type  | Top Speed  | Number  | Carriages  | Routes Operated  | Withdrawn  | Built  | Notes

|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|

mph  | km/h
| Diesel multiple unit
Pacer | 143 |  | DMU | 75  | 121  | 15  | 2  |

* Valley Lines & Cardiff local routes

| 2021[58] | 1985–1986  | Preserved or scrapped
Sprinter | 150 |  | 75  | 120  | 5  | 2  |

* Valley Lines & Cardiff local routes
* Heart of Wales/West Wales lines
* Regional services between south and west Wales, north-west England and south-west England

| 2022–2024  | 1987  | Stored or scrapped
Bombardier Turbostar | 170 |  | 100  | 161  | 4  | 2  |

* Maesteg Line
* Ebbw Valley Railway
* South Wales Main Line[67]

| 2021–2024  | 1999–2002  | Transferred to East Midlands Railway
8  | 3
Alstom Coradia | 175 Coradia 1000 |
| 100  | 161  | 11  | 2  | Regional services between North, South and West Wales and England | 2023  | 1999–2001  | Stored, unit 175008 converted to 1 car, by donating a driving vehicle to unit 175101[68]
16  | 3

BR Second Generation (Mark 3)  | 769 Flex |  | BMU | 100  | 161  | 8  | 4  |

* Valley Lines (Rhymney line and southwards to Penarth via Vale of Glamorgan Line)[27]

| 2023  | 2019–2020[a] | Stored
|  |

## References

[edit]

### Notes

[edit]

1. ^ Class 319/4 units were initially built between 1987 and 1988

### Citations

[edit]

1. ^ "Transport for Wales Rail LTD – Overview (free company information from Companies House)". Companies House. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
2. ^ "App". Transport For Wales. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
3. ^ Passenger's Charter (PDF). Transport for Wales Rail. February 2021. p. 4.
4. ^ "Rail station usage: April 2020 to March 2021". GOV.WALES. 3 March 2022. Retrieved 30 June 2022.
5. ^ "Keolis/Amey wins £5bn Wales rail contract". BBC News. 23 May 2018. Archived from the original on 9 November 2020.
6. ^ "Welsh Revival". Railways Illustrated. No. 186\. August 2018. p. 6.
7. ^ "TfW Rail Services Begin Operation". Modern Railways. No. 842\. November 2018. p. 12.
8. ^ "Written Statement: Future of Rail update". Welsh Government. 22 October 2020. Archived from the original on 30 October 2020.
9. ^ "Transport for Wales rail services to be nationalised". BBC News. 22 October 2020. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020.
10. ^ "Welsh Government takes control of Wales & Borders". Rail Magazine. No. 917\. 4 November 2020. p. 14.
11. ^ "Welsh Government takes control of franchise". The Railway Magazine. No. 1436\. November 2020. p. 6.
12. ^ "Welsh rail franchise now in public ownership". Transport For Wales News. Archived from the original on 8 February 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2021.
13. ^ "Welsh rail franchise now in public ownership". GOV.WALES. 8 February 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
14. ^ "Evening rail disruption as Metro works begin". BBC News. 10 July 2020. Archived from the original on 11 July 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
15. ^ "Network Rail launches sale of Cardiff Valley Lines". railnews.co.uk. Archived from the original on 5 September 2019. Retrieved 5 September 2019.
16. ^ "Our new trains". Transport for Wales. Retrieved 14 October 2023.
17. ^ Holden, Alan (20 January 2022). "Convenience stores to sell Transport for Wales train tickets". railadvent.co.uk.
18. ^ Smith, Roger (13 August 2023). "Train tickets in North Wales and the Wirral now on sale in local shops". railadvent.co.uk.
19. ^ "Unicard deploys contactless rail travel with Transport for Wales". railuk.com. 27 September 2023.
20. ^ Birt, Elizabeth (16 December 2023). "UK Government to fund rail services between west Wales and Bristol". South Wales Guardian.
21. ^ "Wales faces radical rail review". railtech.com. 10 August 2023.
22. ^ "Transport for Wales: More cash for rail firm after lost ticket sales". BBC News. 18 October 2023.
23. ^ Mosalski, Ruth (22 November 2023). "Transport for Wales bosses grilled over trains, delays and its huge compensation bill". Wales Online.
24. ^ "Timetables". Cardiff: Transport for Wales. Retrieved 2 June 2024.
25. ^ "Transport for Wales timetable changes".
26. ^ a b c d e f g "Info for... Fleet". Transport for Wales. 10 May 2021. Archived from the original on 19 September 2021. Retrieved 16 May 2023.
27. ^ a b c d e f "A guide to our fleet of trains – Fleet Accessibility Specifications" (PDF). nationalrail.co.uk. Transport for Wales. February 2022. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 April 2023.
28. ^ "£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.
29. ^ "Two Class 67s are bought by Transport for Wales". Railways Illustrated. No. 257\. 4 June 2024. p. 19. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
30. ^ a b "TfW acquires former Grand Central Mk4s". Rail Express. No. 301\. June 2021. p. 34.
31. ^ a b "What's Happening in North Wales". Transport for Wales. Archived from the original on 7 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
32. ^ "TfW cuts services after Craven Arms collision". Modern Railways. Retrieved 29 August 2023.
33. ^ "Unit Focus". Fleet Review. Railways Illustrated Magazine. No. 258\. August 2024. p. 21. Retrieved 18 November 2024 - via Readly.
34. ^ Russell, David (June 2025). "More TfW Rail Class 153s Stopped". Units. Rail Express. No. 349\. p. 22.
35. ^ "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.
36. ^ "What this means for Mid and South West Wales". Transport for Wales. Archived from the original on 14 October 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
37. ^ "New train on Conwy Valley Line welcomes its first passengers". North Wales Pioneer. 16 November 2022. Retrieved 25 November 2022.
38. ^ "Service Improvements" (PDF). Transport for Wales. Welsh Government. Retrieved 4 June 2018.[permanent dead link]
39. ^ "First converted D-stock enters traffic as TfW '230'". www.railmagazine.com. Retrieved 5 May 2024. "The introduction of the first hybrid battery-diesel multiple unit"
40. ^ "TfW '230s' finally enter service". www.modernrailways.com. Retrieved 5 May 2024. "The hybrid trains are capable of operating on diesel or battery traction"
41. ^ Miles, Tony (5 April 2023). "Class 230s finally enter service with Transport for Wales". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 5 May 2024. "Transport for Wales has run its first Class 230 battery-diesel hybrid trainset in passenger service on the Wrexham – Bidston Borderlands Line."
42. ^ "Fleet Accessibility Specifications" (PDF). tfw.wales. October 2021. p. 36\. "Class 230s are three carriage bi-mode trains using diesel and battery."
43. ^ a b "Trains for Wales under construction". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 14 December 2020.
44. ^ a b "First electric trains to be introduced to South Wales Metro". Transport For Wales News. Retrieved 18 November 2024.
45. ^ "Transport for Wales introduces premium trains". Transport For Wales News. 7 June 2021.
46. ^ "153s acquired". Modern Railways. No. 874\. 4 July 2021. p. 13.
47. ^ 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.
48. ^ @tfwrail (12 February 2020). "TfW report completion of first class 197 bodyshell" (Tweet). Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 3 October 2020 - via Twitter.
49. ^ "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.
50. ^ "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.
51. ^ "Coronavirus delay to Wrexham '230s'". Rail. No. 941\. 6 October 2021. p. 15.
52. ^ "Spring target for TFW '230' debut". Modern Railways. No. 895\. Stamford: Key Publishing. March 2023. p. 86.
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56. ^ "South Wales Metro tram-train delivered as route blockade announced". Rail Business UK. Sutton: DVV Media International. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
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## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Transport for Wales Rail.

* Official website

Preceded by

KeolisAmey Wales (t/a Transport for Wales Rail Services)

|  Operator of Wales & Borders franchise
2021–present  | Incumbent

|
|

* v
* t
* e

South Wales Metro

Organisations|

* South Wales Metro
* Transport for Wales
* Transport for Wales Rail
* Welsh Government

Main lines|

* Gloucester–Newport line
* South Wales Main Line
* Welsh Marches line

Metro lines|

* Butetown
* Cardiff City
* Coryton
* Ebbw Valley
* Maesteg
* Merthyr
* Rhondda
* Rhymney
* Vale of Glamorgan

Major rail stations|

* Barry
* Bridgend
* Caerphilly
* Cardiff
* Bay
* Central
* Queen Street
* Cathays
* List of railway stations in Cardiff
* Newport
* Pontypridd
* Treforest

Bus interchanges|

* Blackwood
* Bargoed
* Cardiff
* New (2024)
* 1954–2015
* Cwmbran
* Ebbw Vale
* Merthyr Tydfil
* Newport

Bus operators|

* Bus transport in Cardiff
* Adventure Travel
* Cardiff Bus
* First Cymru
* Newport Bus
* Stagecoach South Wales

Proposed stations|

* Butetown
* Caerleon
* Cardiff Parkway
* Crwys Road
* Gabalfa
* Magor & Undy
* Newport West
* Newport West Central
* Somerton
* Llanwern
* Treforest Estate (relocated)

Active travel|

* Bute Park
* Celtic Trail cycle route
* Cistercian Way
* Cycling in Cardiff
* Pontcanna Fields & Llandaff Fields
* National Cycle Network
* NCR 88
* NCR 4
* NCR 46
* NCR 47
* Roald Dahl Plass
* Sophia Gardens
* Taff Trail
* Usk Valley Walk
* Wales Coast Path

* Buses portal
* Trains portal
* Transport portal
* Wales portal

* v
* t
* e

Train operating companies in the United Kingdom

* Rail transport in Great Britain
* Rail transport in Northern Ireland
* Passenger rail franchising in Great Britain

Current

| National|

* Arriva Rail London
* Avanti West Coast
* c2c1
* Caledonian Sleeper4
* Chiltern Railways
* CrossCountry
* East Midlands Railway
* Govia Thameslink Railway
* Grand Central2
* Greater Anglia
* Great Western Railway
* GTS Rail Operations
* Heathrow Express2
* Hull Trains2
* London North Eastern Railway1
* Lumo2
* Merseyrail
* NI Railways3
* Northern1
* ScotRail4
* Southeastern1
* South Western Railway1
* TransPennine Express1
* Transport for Wales5
* West Midlands Trains

|

International|

* Enterprise3
* Eurostar

Sub-brands|

* Gatwick Express
* Great Northern
* Island Line1
* London Northwestern Railway
* Night Riviera
* Southern
* Stansted Express
* Thameslink
* West Midlands Railway

Operators not subject to franchising or concession:

* 1 Owned by the UK Government
* 2 Open-access operator
* 3 Operates on the Irish railway network and state-owned
* 4 Owned by the Scottish Government
* 5 Owned by the Welsh Government

Defunct (since 1994)

* Abellio ScotRail
* Anglia Railways
* Arriva Rail North
* Arriva Trains Merseyside
* Arriva Trains Northern
* Arriva Trains Wales
* c2c
* Central Trains
* Connex South Central
* Connex South Eastern
* East Coast5
* East Midlands Trains
* First Capital Connect
* First Great Eastern
* First Great Western Link
* First North Western
* First ScotRail
* First TransPennine Express
* Gatwick Express1
* Great North Eastern Railway
* Heathrow Connect
* Island Line2
* KeolisAmey Wales
* London Midland
* London Overground Rail Operations
* Midland Mainline
* MTR Crossrail
* National Express East Anglia
* National Express East Coast
* Northern Rail
* ScotRail (National Express)
* Silverlink
* South Eastern Trains5
* Southeastern
* South Western Railway
* South West Trains
* TfL Rail
* Thameslink3
* Thames Trains
* TransPennine Express
* Valley Lines
* Virgin CrossCountry
* Virgin Trains East Coast
* Virgin Trains West Coast
* Wales and Borders
* Wales & West
* Wessex Trains
* West Anglia Great Northern
* Wrexham & Shropshire4

* 1 Separate franchise until 2008; now a sub-brand of Govia Thameslink Railway
* 2 Separate franchise until 2007, now a sub-brand of South Western Railway
* 3 Separate franchise until 2006; later reintroduced as a sub-brand of Govia Thameslink Railway
* 4 Open-access operator
* 5 Operator of last resort

Future

| Future operators|

* Greater Anglia

|

Prospective operators|

* Go-op
* Virgin Trains
* International
* Open Access
* Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway

* Category
* Commons
* Maps

* v
* t
* e

Transport in Wales

* Transport in the United Kingdom
* Transport for Wales

Infrastructure|

* Bus stations
* Railway stations
* proposed
* Regional projects
* North Wales Metro (proposed)
* South Wales Metro (under-construction)
* Swansea Bay and West Wales Metro (proposed)
* Bridges
* Proposed devolution of railway infrastructure
* Welsh Government roads review

Governance|

* Transport for Wales
* South East Wales Transport Alliance (defunct)
* South West Wales Integrated Transport Consortium (defunct)
* Taith Joint Board (defunct)
* Network Rail
* Department for Transport
* Great British Railways

Walking|

* Rights of way in England and Wales
* Highways in England and Wales
* Wales Coast Path
* Byways and Bridleways Trust

Road|

* Trunk roads
* Welsh Government traffic officer
* Motorways
* M4
* M4 relief road (cancelled)
* M48
* A48(M) motorway
* Mountain passes
* Trunk road agent
* North and Mid Wales Trunk Road Agent
* South Wales Trunk Road Agent
* Road signs in Wales
* UK-wide
* Welsh Government roads review

Buses and trams|

* Bus stations
* South Wales tramroads

Water|

* Ports and harbours
* GB-wide
* Aqueducts
* Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
* Canals
* Llangollen Canal
* Monmouthshire and Brecon2
* Montgomery Canal2
* Neath and Tennant2
* Swansea Canal2
* Glandŵr Cymru (Canal & River Trust)
* Cancelled canal projects
* Ellesmere Canal
* Grand Contour Canal
* Barmouth Ferry
* Cardiff Waterbus
* Lighthouses

Rail|

* Wales & Borders franchise
* Train operating companies (Wales-specific)
* Wales and Borders
* Valley Lines
* Arriva Trains Wales
* KeolisAmey Wales
* Transport for Wales Rail
* Other Great Britain-wide operators
* National Rail
* Railway stations
* Proposed railway stations
* Rail transport in Cardiff
* Valleys & Cardiff Local Routes
* British Rail
* Western Region of British Railways
* Great Western Railway in West Wales
* North–South Wales railway (proposed)
* Premier Service
* Heritage railways
* Great Little Trains of Wales

Cycling|

* Cycle routes
* in Cardiff
* Dragon Ride Wales
* Tour de Gwent
* Welsh Cycling
* Active Travel (Wales) Act 2013
* National Cycle Museum

Local|

* Cardiff

Other|

* Cardiff Airport
* Air Wales
* Welsh Air Service

* Category

*[tpd]: trains per day
*[tph]: trains per hour
*[4tpd]: 4 trains every day
*[1tp2h]: 1 train every 2 hours
*[2tpd]: 2 trains every day
*[.mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);clip-path:polygon(0px 0px,0px 0px,0px 0px);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}4⁄3]: 4 trains every 3 hours
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template