Class 230 units training/introduction on the Borderlands line: updates

[ls2270]

It is not 5Q38 but it is 521W.

Realtime Trains | 521W 1046 Crewe C.S. (L&Nwr Site) to Birkenhead North E.M.U.D | 09/03/2022

Real-time train running information for 521W 1046 departure from Crewe C.S. (L&Nwr Site) to Birkenhead North E.M.U.D on 09/03/2022. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

5Q38 is the real headcode. 521W is an example of an ‘obfuscated’ or scrambled headcode used on RTT where the operating company doesn’t wish the real headcode to be in the public domain. The Help section of RTT explains!

 

[boby32]

5Q38 is the real headcode. 521W is an example of an ‘obfuscated’ or scrambled headcode used on RTT where the operating company doesn’t wish the real headcode to be in the public domain. The Help section of RTT explains!

It is 5Q38 indeed.

https://www.opentraintimes.com/schedule/K04678/2022-03-09

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 9 Mar 2022 ==

May is the latest of many plans on the Bidstons, tfw have plans to run 1 x 230 / 1x150 and 1x197 on the route at peak times apparently.

Why not a class 158?

 

[craigybagel]

Why not a class 158?

Not cleared for the line. Their door cycle times are too slow, they wouldn't be able to keep to the timetable - and with a -1 minute turnaround time on the public timetable, that's a problem.

 

[boby32]

Not cleared for the line. Their door cycle times are too slow, they wouldn't be able to keep to the timetable - and with a -1 minute turnaround time on the public timetable, that's a problem.

Is it the same problem for class 153?

 

[craigybagel]

Is it the same problem for class 153?

AIUI, 153s can and have been used, but they'll struggle to keep to time so it's only as a list resort. 158 are banned outright. ATW asked network rail to clear them a few years ago (along with Blaneau Ffestiniog) but we're turned down.

 

[boby32]

230006 went from Bidston to Chester.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C32046/2022-03-15/detailed#allox_id=0

And then from Chester to Bidston.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C32043/2022-03-15/detailed#allox_id=0

 

[wobman]

230006 went from Bidston to Chester.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C32046/2022-03-15/detailed#allox_id=0

And then from Chester to Bidston.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C32043/2022-03-15/detailed#allox_id=0

There's an ongoing traincrew training program were they are refreshing the 230's, for many that have trained on them they need to have retraining ready for the introduction of the 230's in May.

It's only 2 months until the introduction and all the trained traincrew need these refreshers, to complete this training tfw need 2x 230's and that's were there has been a few problems recently.

 

[Bob Price]

230008 headed for Crewe today, saw it go by the webcam at about 11 o'clock

 

[seagull]

Yes, one (maybe the same, maybe not?) travelled from Crewe to Chester earlier this morning as well.
Or should that be "Transit-ed"?

 

[8H]

Yes, one (maybe the same, maybe not?) travelled from Crewe to Chester earlier this morning as well.
Or should that be "Transit-ed"?

230 009 has been on the Borderlands today after traveling from Chester.

 

[kennythelad]

230007 has been just inside the north end of the shed at Crewe since at least Monday morning.
That was probably the one going to Chester earlier today.

 

[Zontar]

I have heard there has been another fire on one of these units. Slightly worrying if true.

 

[wobman]

I have heard there has been another fire on one of these units. Slightly worrying if true.

230's don't have fires, they have thermal incidents.
I can't really confirm or deny what's been said....

But Let's just say there will be NO 230's out and about this week

 

[Zontar]

Oh dear. It sounds like their introduction for the may timetable change seems unlikely.

I hate seeing them getting negative press, but it's kinda self inflicted

 

[TheSel]

Spotters be aware - 'You crane' your necks as much as you like, but you won't find a 230 'Put in' service any time soon!

 

[wobman]

Spotters be aware - 'You crane' your necks as much as you like, but you won't find a 230 'Put in' service any time soon!

Tfw still have more traincrew to train up ready for the May TT introduction, the few trained up drivers and guards need refreshers.
This hasn't happened at a good time for tfw, as its only a month away until they see introduced.

 

[D821]

Two of them were sat outside Birkenhead Depot tonight.

 

[Zontar]

Were they still smoldering?

 

[D821]

Not that I noticed, though I couldn't see the third one...

 

[Skip 10]

Not that I noticed, though I couldn't see the third one...

For the smoke?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Has there been any official explanation made with regards to the last-mentioned problem?

 

[43096]

Has there been any official explanation made with regards to the last-mentioned problem?

Why would there be an official explanation needed? We don’t get one when other manufacturer’s trains fail, so why would VivaRail be any different.

 

[wobman]

Has there been any official explanation made with regards to the last-mentioned problem?

There's posters on here that work for vivarail, if you go through the replies to find them and maybe ask them what happened. They will know far better than anyone what has happened to the 230 in question. Hope that helps

 

[TheSel]

I note that the recently published Notwork Rail Timetable (table 081, attached) shows the introduction of an early Bidston (0554) - Wrexham*, which (according to RTT) comes off Birkenhead North shed. The service train is also shown on TfW's website, with booking now available.

* Edit - I should have added "from 16 May."



Does anyone on here know whether this is likely to be the case in reality, please?

 

[wobman]

I note that the recently published Notwork Rail Timetable (table 081, attached) shows the introduction of an early Bidston (0554) - Wrexham*, which (according to RTT) comes off Birkenhead North shed. The service train is also shown on TfW's website, with booking now available.

* Edit - I should have added "from 16 May."

View attachment 113934

Does anyone on here know whether this is likely to be the case in reality, please?

That's the plan for the introduction of the 230's, this will be the first 230 from the depot into service if they run from Bidston to Wrexham.
There will be a 2nd rescue unit possibly at Birkenhead or Wrexham station bay platform ready if it fails. This is called a soft launch by tfw, it's all dependent on the 230's reliability.....

 

[anthony263]

Let’s hope these 230’s actually start behaving

 

[wobman]

Well the official line off Tfw is that the 230's won't be introduced until later this year now, another delay it seems.
If people don't believe me just ask TFW on social media

 

[Jez]

Its ridiculous! The 150s will have to continue and therefore 2 less for the Cardiff local lines.

 

[anthony263]

Its ridiculous! The 150s will have to continue and therefore 2 less for the Cardiff local lines.

Tfw looking to hire two class 150’s from Northern. Tfw should have some relief when the class 197’s finally enter service along with the class 231’s

 

[Wyrleybart]

Tfw looking to hire two class 150’s from Northern. Tfw should have some relief when the class 197’s finally enter service along with the class 231’s

As crazy as it sounds (erm not so much) two more class 769 diagrams on the Rhymney line would free up two class 150/2s to cover the North Wales duties. To be fair though, the last time I looked, every single Rhymney line diagram except the 769s was only two cars anyway, rather than the multiples seen when 142s and 143s held sway.