Transport for Wales Class 231 / 756 Stadler FLIRTs

[Stompehh]

Their cousins over in East Anglia, the 755s, regularly operate 3 sets coupled in passenger service.

 

[tfw756rider]

Their cousins over in East Anglia, the 755s, regularly operate 3 sets coupled in passenger service.

But can 745s and 755s operate together in passenger service? (like the 231s and 756s, I know they can non-passenger).

 

[Stompehh]

But can 745s and 755s operate together in passenger service? (like the 231s and 756s, I know they can non-passenger).

I don't think there's any intention to do that because they would be too long for most platforms (745s are 12 coaches).

755/4 and 755/3 can operate together, and they can be using different power modes (one diesel, one electric) if necessary.

 

[tfw756rider]

I don't think there's any intention to do that because they would be too long for most platforms (745s are 12 coaches).

755/4 and 755/3 can operate together, and they can be using different power modes (one diesel, one electric) if necessary.

But would it work? And therefore would 231s and 756s likely also be able work together in multiple in passenger service?

 

[Trainbike46]

But would it work? And therefore would 231s and 756s likely also be able work together in multiple in passenger service?

The 745 and 755 can work coupled for rescue purposes, but as pointed out they wouldn't work coupled in service as it would be too long for almost all platforms.

 

[VR494]

But would it work? And therefore would 231s and 756s likely also be able work together in multiple in passenger service?

231 and 756 are only permitted to couple for assisting a failed unit. Coupling up a 4 and 3 car 756 is possible, however the software version must be the same.

Greater Anglia have a good setup with theirs, and I think if they looked at battery technology for the branch lines in the future, this will be a massive success.

 

[tfw756rider]

Realtime Trains | 5Q78 1110 Holyhead Car. M.D. to Cardiff Canton Sidings | 09/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q78 1110 departure from Holyhead Car. M.D. to Cardiff Canton Sidings on 09/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Should be a returning FLIRT.

Realtime Trains | 5Q40 1056 Cardiff Canton Sidings to Holyhead Car. M.D. | 11/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q40 1056 departure from Cardiff Canton Sidings to Holyhead Car. M.D. on 11/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Should be an outgoing FLIRT.

 

[Welshguy1048]

Filmed at Prestatyn, North Wales

09/04/26 - ROG Class 37 - 37510 - TfW Class 231 - 231009 & TfW Class 756 - 756105 - Holyhead Car M.D. to Cardiff Canton Sidings

 

[tfw756rider]

Thanks for capturing as always

I wonder what unit(s) will be on the Sat 11/4/26 drag? The only one I've seen was [a 231], so it would be nice if it was [a 756], or [a 231 and a 756], or even [two 756s]!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Apr 2026 ==

Realtime Trains | 5Q40 1056 Cardiff Canton Sidings to Holyhead Car. M.D. | 11/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q40 1056 departure from Cardiff Canton Sidings to Holyhead Car. M.D. on 11/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Should be an outgoing FLIRT.

5Q40 has left Cardiff - can anyone in here give us the loco and unit numbers please?

 

[trainspotter4]

Progress for the 756s on Rhymney today with 756101 currently running Bargoed-Barry: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L66769/2026-04-11/detailed

 

[notyolosmh]

Thanks for capturing as always

I wonder what unit(s) will be on the Sat 11/4/26 drag? The only one I've seen was [a 231], so it would be nice if it was [a 756], or [a 231 and a 756], or even [two 756s]!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Apr 2026 ==


5Q40 has left Cardiff - can anyone in here give us the loco and unit numbers please?

37510 with 756103 + 231001 on 5Q40, saw it pass Abergavenny

 

[trainspotter4]

Progress for the 756s on Rhymney today with 756101 currently running Bargoed-Barry: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L66769/2026-04-11/detailed

Seems like this didn't go completely to plan because of infrastructure, lead to the entire 756 diagram for the rest of the day being cancelled. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L66791/2026-04-11/detailed

Due to a problem with line-side equipment at Llanbradach (LNB):
Services may be delayed by up to 10 minutes.
Services may be cancelled in both directions between Cardiff Queen Street (CDQ) and Rhymney (RHY).
We expect the incident to last until 16:30 and disruption to services is expected until 17:00.
We have been made aware of a problem with the overhead electric wires at Llanbradach.

 

[Welshguy1048]

Filmed at Prestatyn, North Wales

ROG Class 37 - 37510 - TfW Class 756 -756103 & TfW Class 231- 231001 - Cardiff Canton Sidings to Holyhead Car M.D.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

ROG Class 37 - 37510 - TfW Class 756 -756103 & TfW Class 231- 231001 - Cardiff Canton Sidings to Holyhead Car M.D.

I barely missed seeing this because my 802 got put ahead of it at Hereford.
Would have been my first sighting of a 756 and a 231.

 

[tfw756rider]

Realtime Trains | 5Q78 1113 Holyhead Car. M.D. to Cardiff Canton Sidings | 14/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q78 1113 departure from Holyhead Car. M.D. to Cardiff Canton Sidings on 14/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Returning FLIRT schedule

 

[Cardiff123]

TfW trying again with 756001 on a Bargoed to Barry Island diagram all day today

Realtime Trains | 2Y12 0643 Bargoed to Barry Island | 13/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 2Y12 0643 departure from Bargoed to Barry Island on 13/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

It's a pretty good day for the Flirts on the Valleys today, all diagrammed units seem to be out, with 150s on just Rhymney to Bridgend, Pontypridd to the Bay, and the one usual Bargoed to Barry Island diagram.

 

[Welshguy1048]

Filmed at Prestatyn, North Wales

ROG Class 37 -37510 - TfW Class 231 -231001 & TfW Class 756 - 756103 - Holyhead Car M.D. to Cardiff Canton Sdgs

 

[spaniel]

I live close to Caerphilly stn and have been waiting since the overhead conductor rail was installed in 2024 to actually see it in use. Given that the half-hourly Penarth 756 services and the full Rhymney line energisation have been around for a little while now I thought it would have happened by now, but today I managed to catch 756001 using it for the first time. Maybe it was active before today and I just haven't been checking often enough, but thought I would share here as it was nice to see it actually in service.

 

[BillStampy]

756004 ---
5Q30 Cardiff Canton Sidings to Bridgend (via the VOG)
5Q31 Bridgend to Cardiff Canton Sidings (via the VOG)

I believe this is the 2nd testing of a FLIRT down the Vale of Glamorgan?

Speaking of which, does anyone with more knowledge and any insight know whether there's a timescale for the FLIRTs to begin operations on both the VOG to Bridgend and mainline services from Maesteg, Ebbw Vale and Cheltenham?

 

[tfw756rider]

756004 ---
5Q30 Cardiff Canton Sidings to Bridgend (via the VOG)
5Q31 Bridgend to Cardiff Canton Sidings (via the VOG)

Realtime Trains | 5Q30 2142 Cardiff Canton Sidings to Bridgend | 14/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q30 2142 departure from Cardiff Canton Sidings to Bridgend on 14/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q31 2250 Bridgend to Cardiff Canton Sidings | 14/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q31 2250 departure from Bridgend to Cardiff Canton Sidings on 14/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Caaardiff]

Speaking of which, does anyone with more knowledge and any insight know whether there's a timescale for the FLIRTs to begin operations on both the VOG to Bridgend and mainline services from Maesteg, Ebbw Vale and Cheltenham?

The plan for the 231s on Mainline is by December timetable change this year, but is very dependant on the 398s coming into service. Things need to progress as some of those 197s will being to work Bristol services

 

[Adlee Turner]

756004 ---
5Q30 Cardiff Canton Sidings to Bridgend (via the VOG)
5Q31 Bridgend to Cardiff Canton Sidings (via the VOG)

I believe this is the 2nd testing of a FLIRT down the Vale of Glamorgan?

Speaking of which, does anyone with more knowledge and any insight know whether there's a timescale for the FLIRTs to begin operations on both the VOG to Bridgend and mainline services from Maesteg, Ebbw Vale and Cheltenham?

No timescale at the moment unfortunately. All depending on how the 398s will do. The test runs tonight were with both a mainline and valleys driver and guard.

 

[nigelsporne]

If the 231/756s were put onto their intended diagrams from the new Timetable how many units of each would be required?
Are service enhancements proposed once they do move?

 

[Jez]

If the 231/756s were put onto their intended diagrams from the new Timetable how many units of each would be required?
Are service enhancements proposed once they do move?

Not sure about the 756s but I think the 231s would be 9 diagrams - 2 x Ebbw-Newport, 3 x Cardiff-Cheltenham and 4 x Ebbw-Maesteg. If it was to happen now it would free up 7 x 197s and 2 x 150s.

 

[nigelsporne]

Thank you.

 

[trainspotter4]

I'm not sure if this is the first time we've seen this (maybe?) but 756004 currently empty on it's way to Rhymney to complete a Rhymney > via Vale of Glamorgan > Bridgend testing journey:
- https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V04547/2026-04-20/detailed
- https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V04549/2026-04-20/detailed

 

[tfw756rider]

Realtime Trains | Just a moment

Realtime Trains is an independent source of live realtime running information for the Great British railway network.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Outgoing FLIRT schedule

 

[Pep and co]

5Q40 has now left Cardiff Canton bound for Holyhead 53 mins late. Can anyone help with the loco and unit(s) on this please.
Many thanks in advance for any help

 

[Welshguy1048]

@Pep and co

Loco 37510 - 231002 & 231005

Dave

 

[tfw756rider]

@Pep and co

Loco 37510 - 231002 & 231005

Dave

How do you already know?