Transport for Wales Class 231 / 756 Stadler FLIRTs

[6Gtraincrew]

Is there any diagram info available yet, seeing as they're meant to be starting tomorrow?

No idea what times, but there is only one due in service to start with.

 

[anthony263]

The 1st passenger carrying diagram for a 231 starts tomorrow with 2P00 05.46 to Penarth then 2D00 06.02 to Bargoed for 2P09/2R02/2P31/2D26/2P47/2R12/2P67 then 2F55 15.48 Penarth to Cardiff to finish.

You'll have to look through realtime trains for all the trips its doing. The 1548 from Penarth is its last trip I believe its being replaced by another unit when.it gets to Cardiff Central

 

[Kyle2]

The 1st passenger carrying diagram for a 231 starts tomorrow with 2P00 05.46 to Penarth then 2D00 06.02 to Bargoed for 2P09/2R02/2P31/2D26/2P47/2R12/2P67 then 2F55 15.48 Penarth to Cardiff to finish.

You'll have to look through realtime trains for all the trips its doing. The 1548 from Penarth is its last trip I believe its being replaced by another unit when.it gets to Cardiff Central

Thanks a ton for that. Is it going to be the same on Thursday too?

 

[Techniquest]

The 1st passenger carrying diagram for a 231 starts tomorrow with 2P00 05.46 to Penarth then 2D00 06.02 to Bargoed for 2P09/2R02/2P31/2D26/2P47/2R12/2P67 then 2F55 15.48 Penarth to Cardiff to finish.

You'll have to look through realtime trains for all the trips its doing. The 1548 from Penarth is its last trip I believe its being replaced by another unit when.it gets to Cardiff Central

Thanks! I'm going to try and make my way to Cardiff tomorrow then, assuming the weather conditions are reasonable. I'll feedback any comments tomorrow evening on my way back If I go of course, I might yet change my mind!

 

[penguin8967]

Any idea if it'll be out on the weekend yet?

 

[norbitonflyer]

TfW are doing well, with two new classes launched less than ten weeks apart. How far behind are the other two new classes (756 and 398)?

Or three if the 230s are ever going to happen

 

[AdamWW]

Thanks! I'm going to try and make my way to Cardiff tomorrow then, assuming the weather conditions are reasonable. I'll feedback any comments tomorrow evening on my way back If I go of course, I might yet change my mind!

If the interiors are anything like the Anglia FLIRTS, then they should be very nice.

And they should break down less than a 769...

 

[_toommm_]

Are the workings posted above the same for Friday too? Spending a day in the Valleys and would love to have a go on a 231.

 

[SuperLuke2334]

TfW are doing well, with two new classes launched less than ten weeks apart. How far behind are the other two new classes (756 and 398)?

Or three if the 230s are ever going to happen

The former two are quite far behind as more electrification is needed before those can properly start running.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

The 1548 from Penarth is its last trip I believe its being replaced by another unit when.it gets to Cardiff Central

A Sprinter/FLEX, I'm assuming, rather than a second FLIRT?

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The former two are quite far behind as more electrification is needed before those can properly start running.

Mmm, I mean the 756 can travel on diesel. The 398's battery mode is of course dependant on overhead wires for charging so that will understandably come later.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Jan 2023 ==

Thanks! I'm going to try and make my way to Cardiff tomorrow then, assuming the weather conditions are reasonable. I'll feedback any comments tomorrow evening on my way back If I go of course, I might yet change my mind!

Might bump into you then

 

[busestrains]

What is the method of Guard operation on the 231/756 trains? Do they have Guard panels? Will the Guard still be responsible for both opening and closing the doors like on all the other TFW fleet? Or will it be like on the 745/755 on AGA where the Guard is guaranteed to be onboard but does not get involved with opening and closing the doors or dispatching the train?

 

[craigybagel]

Mmm, I mean the 756 can travel on diesel. The 398's battery mode is of course dependant on overhead wires for charging so that will understandably come later.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Jan 2023 ==

I believe they can't run far enough on diesel to cover an entire Valleys diagram like the 231s can.

In any case, if 756s were likely to be introduced soon, we probably wouldn't see the 231s being temporarily sent to the Valleys. Given the proposed December 2023 timetable shows 197s on the services the 231s are meant to go on eventually, presumably the 756s aren't going to be available any time soon.

 

[anthony263]

Thanks a ton for that. Is it going to be the same on Thursday too?

I will assume so

 

[penguin8967]

Thanks a ton for that. Is it going to be the same on Thursday too?

TfW has unit numbers published on RTT so you can always check that if in doubt

 

[Wrexham12]

What is the method of Guard operation on the 231/756 trains? Do they have Guard panels? Will the Guard still be responsible for both opening and closing the doors like on all the other TFW fleet? Or will it be like on the 745/755 on AGA where the Guard is guaranteed to be onboard but does not get involved with opening and closing the doors or dispatching the train?

They have guard panels and will be operated in full conductor mode like the rest of the TfW fleet

 

[Techniquest]

If the interiors are anything like the Anglia FLIRTS, then they should be very nice.

And they should break down less than a 769...

I would hope they fail less often than a 769! The trip to Cardiff is in jeopardy, the bus fares I was expecting to find aren't available both ways which is mighty annoying. I will see what is decided tomorrow morning, I might have to delay things a bit

 

[6Gtraincrew]

231007 is the chosen one

 

[busestrains]

They have guard panels and will be operated in full conductor mode like the rest of the TfW fleet

Many thanks for the confirmation. That is good to hear. I thought that was probably the case as the 197s are still full Guard operation.

 

[Buzz68]

231007 appears to have been allocated to the inaugural services today

 

[Bob Price]

No image yet on Real Time Trains. Took this yesterday of 004 on test at Heath High Level

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I’mma head to Central for a Central - Penarth - Rhymney - Central run, I think.

 

[busestrains]

Can anyone confirm that it is definitely running? I just want be 100% sure it has not been replaced at the last minute like what sometimes happens to new trains? I am thinking of making my way to Cardiff now to have a ride on it! But it is a long way to go from the South East where i am to Cardiff if it ends up not being used!

 

[Kyle2]

Can anyone confirm that it is definitely running? I just want be 100% sure it has not been replaced at the last minute like what sometimes happens to new trains? I am thinking of making my way to Cardiff now to have a ride on it! But it is a long way to go from the South East where i am to Cardiff if it ends up not being used!

According to RTT it's made its way from Penarth to Bargoed, running 5 minutes late, but it is running. It says on RTT it's 231007

 

[busestrains]

According to RTT it's made its way from Penarth to Bargoed, running 5 minutes late, but it is running. It says on RTT it's 231007

Many thanks. Good to hear that. I shall make my way to Cardiff now and keep my fingers crossed it runs the full planned diagram today.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Many thanks. Good to hear that. I shall make my way to Cardiff now and keep my fingers crossed it runs the full planned diagram today.

It is running. I’m going to have a ride on it via Rhymney and Penarth until about 11am, I think, and then I really should go to the library and study!

 

[anthony263]

I've attached a screenshot showing the services 231007 is running today

 

[busestrains]

It is running. I’m going to have a ride on it via Rhymney and Penarth until about 11am, I think, and then I really should go to the library and study!

Or even better bring your books and do some studying on the train!

Actually saying that if Elin is switched on then maybe that is not a good idea with her piercing slow endless announcements!

I am planning on getting there around mid day (maybe a bit earlier) and then i will ride it for a couple of journeys from then until it finishes for the day.

It shall be interesting to see how it compares to the AGA versions.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Jan 2023 ==

I've attached a screenshot showing the services 231007 is running today

Many thanks for the screenshot. That is helpful to see all the times. I shall probably aim to ride the last four or five journeys.

 

[Bob Price]

It's running. My non rail enthusiastic daughter just messaged me this. She has described it as "not chuggy, it's very smooth", and they have announcements. From someone who is used to 150's and 769's, it is fair to say she is impressed.

 

[Razorblades]

Were you a part of the atw bid?

I was a member of one of the bid teams, but not Amey-Keolis - whom I would judge as having been able or willing to accept greater levels of 'risk' in their final negotiations with TfW.

The Stadler units were, in my experience, one of the most objectively solid components of the fleet that TfW has ended up with.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

It's running. My non rail enthusiastic daughter just messaged me this. She has described it as "not chuggy, it's very smooth", and they have announcements. From someone who is used to 150's and 769's, it is fair to say she is impressed.

I’m waiting for it at Queen Street, unfortunately six minutes late meaning I forfeited my pistachio latte for no reason!

Due to the delay, the regular commuters have somewhat ironically moved to catch this fella instead

Image shows Northern’s 150269 at Queen Street.



== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 18 Jan 2023 ==

Edit:
Really very nice. Elin is unfortunately working albeit thankfully nowhere near as long announcements as 197s, which in turn are shorter than MK4.
The old Arriva 175 chime is used for staff announcements!!!

Images show 231007’s interior