On a recent trip to Swansea I had the chance to sample the kind of train we need on the Far North Line now, but are probably going to have to wait many years to receive. These new Class 197 trains for Transport for Wales (TfW) were built by CAF in Spain and fitted out at the CAF works in Newport, South Wales. There are 2- and 3-car variants.

The Manchester-Swansea service in question was provided by the 2-car version of these diesel units, which are directly comparable with our 158s, having 1010bhp per unit, compared with the 700bhp of a Class 158. The trains were basically a comfortable environment, the large windows providing an excellent view. Interestingly, the original seat specification from the franchise holder and CAF was challenged, as the same seats used elsewhere had been described as like ironing boards. TfW eventually paid an extra £1.9m to have the trains fitted with higher-specification Fainsa Sophia seats.

However, the journey both ways was somewhat marred by the very loud setting of the P.A. system, which the conductor apparently can't control. This was exacerbated by the fact that TfW trains have all announcements in Welsh, then repeated in English, doubling their length. The announcements were so long and frequent that conversation was difficult. Let's hope ScotRail never decides to do dual language announcements.

The 2-car units have only one toilet - a recipe for precisely the disaster which befell the northbound service as it headed for Manchester. The toilet failed, so the unfortunate conductor had to explain this to the passengers and then give them instruction on where to find the station toilets at each stop, and a reminder to get back on as soon as possible. She had the unenviable job of checking that everyone who'd got off had got back on again. Of course this wouldn't have worked on the FNL since there is only one intermediate station with a toilet on the entire line, only open for part of the day.

The other issue on the services was the overcrowding. Until recently there would have been a locomotive-hauled set of four Mk4 coaches - there being only two led to a crush reminiscent of the London Tube at rush-hour. Apparently the service is meant to have 3-car units, but they are currently laid up with technical problems.

These trains, apart from the ill-advised minimal toilet provision, are definitely a step up from our 158s.