New trains have been pictured at Pwllheli railway station being put through their paces before being introduced to the line.

The Class 197 trains have been introduced to several Transport for Wales lines over the last few years, but a different signaling system has led to a delay in the trains arriving onto the Cambrian line and coast line.

Greg Mape sent these photographs of the trains on test at Pwllheli railway station before heading to Machynlleth on Tuesday, 8 September.

The long promised trains are set to be running this autumn, Transport for Wales has said.

The Class 197 trains will replace the existing stock along the Cambrian line this year
Months of testing has been carried out along the Cambrian and Cambrian Coast lines (Greg Mape)

Giving an update on the new trains, a Transport for Wales spokesperson said: "We are on track to introduce the first Class 197 trains on the Cambrian line from autumn 2026.

"They will be introduced onto the Cambrian main line and Coast first and then introduced onto our Shrewsbury to Birmingham and select Holyhead services shortly afterwards."

Drivers have spent the last few months putting the new engines through their paces and training.

Class 197 trains have replaced the older 158 stock in other parts of Wales, but there have been delays on the Cambrian line due to it using a digital signalling and train control systems known as ERTMS and ETCS.

A number of services had to be cancelled this summer due to faulty air conditioning on the old trains.

Addressing the problem in July, a Transport for Wales spokesperson said: "We know that customers travelling on the Cambrian Line have experienced significant disruption in recent weeks - we sincerely apologise for the impact this has had on their journeys.

“The current period of extreme weather has placed exceptional pressure on our older trains and particularly the air conditioning systems, which has resulted in many being withdrawn from service.”