Transport for Wales Class 231 / 756 Stadler FLIRTs

[MikePJ]

TfW said the 756's would be gradually introduced on the PEN-COY line over the summer. Checking this morning we appear now to be back down to one 756?
To be fair to TfW the summer is now over, so are they bringing back the 150's

There were cancellations last week due to a problem with the doors on a 150, took this photo yesterday evening, looks like its now been into the workshop !

The 756 introduction is supposed to finish next week, but as we’re only at two units in service this week it looks likely to slip. I wonder what the issue is?

 

[Jamesrob637]

Had 231011 from Cardiff Central to Caerphilly yesterday. Had a 150 back.

Give me the 231 any day! Very impressed in every aspect.

 

[MikePJ]

Looks like the Penarth service is up to three 756s today - 003, 004 and 006.

 

[Markdvdman]

Well with the signal fault at Llanishen today it is impacting trains Rhymney to Barry Island/Bridgend. I was lucky the 7:09am from Cardiff was late by 2 mins and got on a Queen St. However, been catching the 7:29am all week which has been a 231 everytime. Today was a 150 and 8 mins late! It was my lucky day as off next week!

 

[J663738]

Looks like the Penarth service is up to three 756s today - 003, 004 and 006.

Yes, I noticed that! the only class 150 operating today is 150259.

After all the complaining, some will be posting what a sad day it is to bid farewell to the 150's

 

[Dai Corner]

Yes, I noticed that! the only class 150 operating today is 150259.

After all the complaining, some will be posting what a sad day it is to bid farewell to the 150's

and arrange a farewell tour.

 

[AdamWW]

Yes, I noticed that! the only class 150 operating today is 150259.

Although today they seem to be operating the Penarth service using 4 rather than the usual 5 diagrams by terminating/starting almost all of them short at Cardiff on the Caerphilly services.

So maybe otherwise there would have been two 150s out.

 

[J663738]

Just watched both two 231's and also two 756's coupled together at central, going to the depot for bed time!

Maybe a silly question, but can a 765 and a 231 be coupled together?
The coupling system looks compatible, but maybe the power units aren't.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Just watched both two 231's and also two 756's coupled together at central, going to the depot for bed time!

Maybe a silly question, but can a 765 and a 231 be coupled together?
The coupling system looks compatible, but maybe the power units aren't.

Wikipedia has both stated as multiple working within class only.
But since they have the same coupler and were made by the same manufacturer at the same time I would be suprised if they can't work together.

 

[ac6000cw]

Just watched both two 231's and also two 756's coupled together at central, going to the depot for bed time!

Maybe a silly question, but can a 765 and a 231 be coupled together?
The coupling system looks compatible, but maybe the power units aren't.

Wikipedia has both stated as multiple working within class only.
But since they have the same coupler and were made by the same manufacturer at the same time I would be suprised if they can't work together.

A triple set of Greater Anglia 755s are sometimes used in place of a single 745, and from what has been said in the 755 thread, they have occasionally run in service with some units on OHLE power and the remainder on diesel, so 'mixed power' MU operation is definitely supported on those. So I'd be a bit surprised if mixed 756 and 231 operation isn't possible.

 

[AdamWW]

A triple set of Greater Anglia 755s are sometimes used in place of a single 745, and from what has been said in the 755 thread, they have occasionally run in service with some units on OHLE power and the remainder on diesel, so 'mixed power' MU operation is definitely supported on those. So I'd be a bit surprised if mixed 756 and 231 operation isn't possible.

Even if everything mechanical and electrical is compatible I would imagine it depends on the software.

So quite likely possible in principle but maybe not actually in practice.

 

[Northerngirl]

Given stadlers inability to even get 2 777s working together,I'd say its basically impossible that they will work

 

[43096]

Given stadlers inability to even get 2 777s working together,I'd say its basically impossible that they will work

Given Stadler’s ability to get three 755s working together on mixed diesel and electric power, I’d say it is very possible they will work.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Given stadlers inability to even get 2 777s working together,I'd say its basically impossible that they will work

I have seen quite a few 777s working together so I would say not impossible.

In the case of the Stadler 755s a lot of multiple working happens with two or three together running Liverpool Street to/from Norwich.

So it seems reasonable a 756 could work with a 231 unless they cannot cope with each others differences. For example the 231s software might not be programmed to use the 756s battery option or overhead power option because the 231 does not have those. A better example (hardware) might be if the driver of the 231 has no panto-graph raise/lower button in front of them !.

Mind you multiple working could be one of the last things tested and used on some fleets where multiple working is not common.

Given the lack of unit end gangway connections I would say multiple working for TfWs Stadler Flirts is not something TfW planned for. However that is not to say multiple working will not be inevitable !.

 

[BillStampy]

We're now up to 4 756s on the Penarth circuit, 003, 004, 006 and 007. One Class 150 to go.

 

[Mag_seven]

I've moved some off topic posts that were discussing gangways to this thread:

Inter-unit gangways why or why-not ?

Moderator note - split from: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/transport-for-wales-class-231-756-stadler-flirts.220379/ Given the lack of unit end gangway connections I would say multiple working for TfWs Stadler Flirts is not something TfW planned for. However that is not to say multiple...

www.railforums.co.uk

Future discussion here should be confined to Stadler Flirts for TfW.

thanks

 

[BillStampy]

We're now up to 4 756s on the Penarth circuit, 003, 004, 006 and 007. One Class 150 to go.

Looking into the remaining diagram, currently occupied today by 150256, it may be a bit different to swap this service over to a 756 given that the diagram starts with 2K02 off Barry Island, have the Class 756s been cleared for passenger use down to Barry Island itself. Clearly it can run the line from Barry to Cardiff given it does that daily during empty coaching stock moves.

 

[AdamWW]

Looking into the remaining diagram, currently occupied today by 150256, it may be a bit different to swap this service over to a 756 given that the diagram starts with 2K02 off Barry Island, have the Class 756s been cleared for passenger use down to Barry Island itself. Clearly it can run the line from Barry to Cardiff given it does that daily during empty coaching stock moves.

Given that 231s run there presumably it wouldn't be a huge job to clear them if not already done so.

 

[J663738]

3 carriage 756 this morning already had its windows taged. Didn't take long to be vandalised

 

[BillStampy]

Given that 231s run there presumably it wouldn't be a huge job to clear them if not already done so.

Most likely the case, yes. We'll have to wait and see!

 

[AdamWW]

Looking into the remaining diagram, currently occupied today by 150256, it may be a bit different to swap this service over to a 756 given that the diagram starts with 2K02 off Barry Island, have the Class 756s been cleared for passenger use down to Barry Island itself. Clearly it can run the line from Barry to Cardiff given it does that daily during empty coaching stock moves.

Actually I think this is the first diagram they ran a 756 on.

Unless maybe they have changed things around and it didn't start out at Barry Island then.

 

[Cardiff123]

Actually I think this is the first diagram they ran a 756 on.

Unless maybe they have changed things around and it didn't start out at Barry Island then.

It was the first, but looking at RTT, this diagram is starting out at Barry Island at 0525, then up to Caerphilly, then to Penarth, every Monday to Saturday until the December TT change.
So if 756s are not cleared for passenger service Barry Island to Cardiff, it looks like this last Penarth diagram will have to stay as a 150 for the foreseeable.

 

[Snow1964]

Looking into the remaining diagram, currently occupied today by 150256, it may be a bit different to swap this service over to a 756 given that the diagram starts with 2K02 off Barry Island, have the Class 756s been cleared for passenger use down to Barry Island itself. Clearly it can run the line from Barry to Cardiff given it does that daily during empty coaching stock moves.

The TfW fleet document (which could really do with updating) even it is current version online, gives a handy map of normal routes against each class. But does also say will be used on other lines at times.

https://tfw.wales/sites/default/files/2022-01/Fleet%20Access%20Specification_English_V1.pdf

Looks like 756 includes Barry Island from the map

 

[Envoy]

The TfW fleet document (which could really do with updating) even it is current version online, gives a handy map of normal routes against each class. But does also say will be used on other lines at times.

https://tfw.wales/sites/default/files/2022-01/Fleet%20Access%20Specification_English_V1.pdf

Looks like 756 includes Barry Island from the map

According to the TFW map, the Conwy Valley line meets the Cambrian Coast Line at/or near Porthmadog. That’s news to me!

 

[Dai Corner]

According to the TFW map, the Conwy Valley line meets the Cambrian Coast Line at/or near Porthmadog. That’s news to me!

Maybe when the map was drawn they had plans to nationalise the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland?

 

[Rhydgaled]

Maybe when the map was drawn they had plans to nationalise the Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland?

And re-guage it? (the line is shown in green on the class 150 map to indicate that 150s work it)

 

[AdamWW]

And re-guage it? (the line is shown in green on the class 150 map to indicate that 150s work it)

Accommodation bogies, obviously.

(Just don't ask about the loading gauge).

 

[Mag_seven]

Just a gentle reminder that this thread is for the discussion of Transport for Wales Class 231 / 756 Stadler FLIRTs.

If anyone wants to discuss anything else then they are welcome to start a new thread in the appropriate forum section.

 

[AdamWW]

For those who have only come across non enthusiasts who don't notice whether they're on a new train or not...

I heard a passenger settle into their seat on a 756 this morning and say "Ooooh I like this!"

 

[Envoy]

Does anyone know what the situation is with the 231’s - are they going to be converted to also run on overhead electricity or not? (When on the CDF > Cheltenham run, they could use the wires as far as STJ).