Transport for Wales are yet to give a date as to when new trains will be operational on the Cambrian line.

The long-promised Class 197 trains have been in operation in many parts of Wales for a number of years but the Aberystwyth to Shrewsbury and Machynlleth to Pwllheli lines are still waiting for new stock.

TfW said in June that the new trains would be operation from the autumn.

Asked for an update this week, 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pressure on our older trains and particularly the air conditioning systems, which has resulted in many being withdrawn from service.

“Our teams have been working hard to return affected trains to service as quickly as possible and we advise all customers to check before they travel and carry water to stay hydrated in warm weather.”

In November last year, writing to Ceredigion Penfro MS, Elin Jones, the Chief Executive of Transport for Wales, James Price, said that he hopes the new 197e trains will be introduced on the line in September 2026.

He said: "Whilst we currently don’t have a specific date for their introduction, our planning and preparatory work will likely see a phased introduction of the Class 197e trains in September 2026.

"I fully understand the eagerness, and indeed share that myself, amongst your constituents for the introduction of these new trains, and I’d like to reassure you we remain committed to bringing new trains onto the Cambrian Line in 2026."

Reacting in November, Elin Jones MS said: “I was pleased to receive an update from Transport for Wales regarding the new train carriages we have been waiting for on the Aberystwyth train line.

"At last we have a date for the introduction of the new carriages.

"I was also glad to hear that Transport for Wales have started testing the compatibility of the new carriages on the existing infrastructure on journeys between Aberystwyth and Pwllheli, which I understand to be one of the project milestones.”