Railway passengers travelling between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury will have to wait even longer for new trains to arrive.

Transport for Wales has confirmed that the new Class 197 trains will begin service between Machynlleth and Pwllheli from Monday, 19 October, but passengers wanting to then head east on the Cambrian line will have to change onto older trains.

The new trains on the Cambrian Coast line will lead to temporary timetable changes as well.

Asked when passengers can expect to see new trains operating between Aberystwyth and Shrewsbury, a Transport for Wales spokesperson said: “Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury will be later this year.”

The new trains, built in Wales, will replace the Class 158 trains that have served the Cambrian Line for more than three decades and will include modern air-conditioning.

Several services were cancelled or delayed over the summer as the air-conditioning on the old trains failed.

To further improve step-free access, TfW has installed raised platforms at six key stations along the Cambrian Coast line, making it easier for those in wheelchairs and with reduced mobility to get on and off the train.

Services on the Cambrian Coast line between Pwllheli and Machynlleth will operate separately, meaning passengers travelling between the Cambrian Coast and Birmingham via Shrewsbury will need to change at Machynlleth.

Colin Lea, Planning and Performance Director at TfW said: “Introducing the first of our brand-new Class 197e trains onto the Cambrian Coast is a major milestone and the beginning of a significant transformation for customers travelling across North and Mid Wales.

“To bring these trains into service as quickly as possible, we need to make some temporary changes to how services operate. After carefully considering all available options, we've chosen an approach that allows us to introduce three new trains onto the Cambrian Coast overnight as a first stage.

“We’re encouraging all passengers travelling to and from the Cambrian Coast line to check before they travel, as they will need to change trains at Machynlleth for a short period. Our friendly staff will be on hand to help.

“Over the coming months, more new trains will be introduced across the Cambrian, replacing trains that have served the route for more than 30 years and transforming the travel experience for our customers. We're looking forward to welcoming customers on board as we continue to invest in a better railway for communities across Wales.”

The temporary timetable change will take place from Monday 19 October and is expected to remain in place until late 2026.

TfW has installed platform-raising ‘Harrington Humps’ at Aberdovey, Dyffryn Ardudwy, Llwyngwril, Talsarnau, Penrhyndeudraeth and Porthmadog stations.

Lift access is available between both station platforms at Machynlleth, and additional station staff will be on hand to support passengers with changing platforms and information on their connecting service.