Transport for Wales Class 231 / 756 Stadler FLIRTs

[Bikeman78]

The latter two could also be run with 153s.

Indeed, some Coryton trains are already booked for class 153s. Class 150s are better for the valleys though. Faster doors and brakes.

 

[positron]

If that's true, aren't they just effectively removing railcard discounts?

It's not permanent they're working on adding Railcard support to it. Just not ready yet for some reason.

 

[Envoy]

It's not permanent they're working on adding Railcard support to it. Just not ready yet for some reason.

Well, that’s good to hear. I also hope they add the discount that Transport for Wales Bus Pass (over 60’s) holders receive on the valley lines network.

 

[AdamWW]

Well, that’s good to hear. I also hope they add the discount that Transport for Wales Bus Pass (over 60’s) holders receive on the valley lines network.

Presumably there will be no support for two together and family railcards though.

(And yes for the latter free child tickets help in that regard but not necessarily as cheap overall as using a family railcard, only available on TfW services and also only off peak unless the children are young enough).

Well people would be no worse off than they are now, unless they push cash fares up to silly levels to force people onto contactless.

Edit: Though I've just realised that there is probably a more appropriate thread for this discussion.

 

[positron]

Got out on the 756 for the first time today and I'm glad to see the gap at Radyr Platform 1 is much improved. Still not quite perfect and I hope they do the work to close the remaining gap but miles better than a 150.

 

[Envoy]

Saturday 23 November - 2 out in service today 105 & 115. First weekend for the 756’s - just as well with rugby and Christmas shoppers.

 

[BillStampy]

Saturday 23 November - 2 out in service today 105 & 115. First weekend for the 756’s - just as well with rugby and Christmas shoppers.

Only see 756116 and 105, but 116 has hit the bucket and has run ECS to Canton, 106 is stepping in from Cardiff

 

[positron]

There's no 4 carriage trains showing up on real time trains at this point. Some cancellations showing with line side vegetation being blamed?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Nov 2024 ==

Really could do with being 4 carriages with how busy these trains are today.

 

[Richard Scott]

Saturday 23 November - 2 out in service today 105 & 115. First weekend for the 756’s - just as well with rugby and Christmas shoppers.

Looks like 105 came out of service at Cardiff Central around lunchtime as there were overhead wire problems on the line (Aberdare line?) according to station announcement. They haven't been in use long but expect was weather related?

 

[positron]

Looks like 105 came out of service at Cardiff Central around lunchtime as there were overhead wire problems on the line (Aberdare line?) according to station announcement. They haven't been in use long but expect was weather related?

Ah that might explain the lineside vegetation bit on rtt. Wonder how bad the damage is. Shows that even with the extensive vegetation management they've been doing it's still not enough.

 

[StripeyNick]

756111 has made it's debut into service today

 

[The_Train]

Presumably the lack of discussion about these in here means that the entry into service is going smoothly so far?

 

[43096]

It appears 114 is in service today. Don't recall that one being reported before?

 

[The_Train]

It appears 114 is in service today. Don't recall that one being reported before?

This one was reported on another forum as having entered service on 22/11/24

 

[Bikeman78]

This one was reported on another forum as having entered service on 22/11/24

I think the units that have worked passenger trains are 105, 107, 111 and 114 to 117. Any others?

 

[val_screamz]

There's no 4 carriage trains showing up on real time trains at this point. Some cancellations showing with line side vegetation being blamed?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 23 Nov 2024 ==

Really could do with being 4 carriages with how busy these trains are today.

Just checked, there's not a single 756 running to Merthyr Tydfil today. Seems to be a lot of disruption too, last night it mentioned bus replacements running this morning, and my ticket mentions a change at Pontypridd to head to Cardiff Central in the morning. There is a 150/2 running as 4 cars, albeit only a couple times during the day. I feel this this is gonna be a chaotic commute, why does everything go wrong for me only when I genuinely do need to take the train? Guess I'm unlucky lol.

 

[Caaardiff]

Services seem to be running fine this morning. There's a reduced Valleys service on a Sunday so more 150 availability.

 

[positron]

It's planned engineering works which they advertise in advance and it's a Sunday. I don't think the 756s have so far showed up on a Sunday, not even sure if the 231s run on a Sunday either.

 

[BillStampy]

It's planned engineering works which they advertise in advance and it's a Sunday. I don't think the 756s have so far showed up on a Sunday, not even sure if the 231s run on a Sunday either.

231s do run on Sundays, few out today on normal Barry - Cardiff runs

 

[Anonymous10]

It's planned engineering works which they advertise in advance and it's a Sunday. I don't think the 756s have so far showed up on a Sunday, not even sure if the 231s run on a Sunday either.

When first introduced the 231's only worked weekday diagrams. Possibly the stadler support staff only work weekdays

 

[tfw756rider]

I think the units that have worked passenger trains are 105, 107, 111 and 114 to 117. Any others?

I have it as:

756105 - 20/11/24
756106 - 23/11/24
756107 - 15/11/24
756111 - 27/11/24
756114 - 22/11/24
756115 - 21/11/24
756116 - 15/11/24
756117 - 18/11/24

So the units you mentioned, plus 756106.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Dec 2024 ==

Did anyone else in here notice that 231003 was being used on Merthyr line services on the 26/11/24 (around the time of the flooding?)

For example, according to Realtime Trains, on 1M54 1752 Aberdare to Merthyr Tydfil on the 26/11/24 - the Aberdare-Cardiff Central part was operated with 756115, but then the Cardiff Central-Merthyr Tydfil part was operated with 231003.

 

[Bikeman78]

I have it as:

756105 - 20/11/24
756106 - 23/11/24
756107 - 15/11/24
756111 - 27/11/24
756114 - 22/11/24
756115 - 21/11/24
756116 - 15/11/24
756117 - 18/11/24

So the units you mentioned, plus 756106.

Thanks for this.

 

[trawscymru27]

Appears from RTT that 3 units are out today: 105, 111 and 116. I believe there has only been 2 out per day before this.

 

[sd0733]

Appears from RTT that 3 units are out today: 105, 111 and 116. I believe there has only been 2 out per day before this.

A 3rd diagram has been introduced so should be the case now going forward with 3 out.
150 diagrams have dropped to 20 too.

 

[Bob Price]

Make sense. Get them into service slowly and make sure all is well before the next and the next.

 

[Envoy]

They really need to get them into service quickly as the 2 coach Sprinters can’t cope with passenger numbers on the half hourly services between Cardiff and Merthyr/Aberdare.

 

[Markdvdman]

Oh yes the 150s are struggling badly on Merthyr/Aberdare services. They are calamitous when they leave Cardiff late as it gets progressively worse. Nice to see 3 756s in service this week hopefully add another next week!

 

[StripeyNick]

There should be 12 diagrams going over to 756s from the December timetable change

 

[John R]

There should be 12 diagrams going over to 756s from the December timetable change

That’s more than are needed for the Aberdare to Merthyr services, so assume that means Treherbert will start to see some too?

 

[BillStampy]

That’s more than are needed for the Aberdare to Merthyr services, so assume that means Treherbert will start to see some too?

Naturally expected I'd say.