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

[anthony263]

230007 been busy on training g ru s although some Facebook posters saying its decided to misbehave again.

Not able to confirm.this as I haven't seen anything else posted

 

[D365]

Is there way the new fast charge system that vivarail have just launched be retro fitted to these units? That would remove the thermal issues

Not without substantial re-engineering of the electrical systems.

 

[Bletchleyite]

If a pure battery unit operates on part or all of the line at any point, I would suspect it'll be yellow, black and grey, Swiss and with "upside down W" logos on it.

 

[yorkie]

Just a gentle reminder this thread is to discuss updates relating to Class 230 units training/introduction on the Borderlands line

If anyone wishes to discuss anything else please create a new thread (or use an existing one, if there is one already).

any posts of a speculative nature should be posted in Speculative Discussion please.

many thanks.

 

[Invincible]

Not without substantial re-engineering of the electrical systems.

My reply is in a new 230 fast charge theead

 

[D365]

My reply is in a new 230 fast charge theead

I can't remember which unit is being used for GWR trials, but my comment was with respect to TfW's 230 005-010. As far as I know, there is no intention to convert these units to a "plug in hybrid" while in service on Borderlands.

 

[Bob Price]

001 is being used for the GWR trials. Back to the Borderlines, I wonder if they are concentrating on one or two units in order to get at least one in service by December?

 

[Roger B]

If a pure battery unit operates on part or all of the line at any point, I would suspect it'll be yellow, black and grey, Swiss and with "upside down W" logos on it.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Does anyone have diagrams or headcodes for the test runs for Wednesdey 07/09/2022 ?.

Does anyone know which 230 is (still) at Crewe ?.
Where are the rest kept (three at Birkenhead North I read back in July).

I am driving from Dartford to Preston on Wednesday morning so thinking of making a detour to get them.

 

[craigybagel]

Does anyone know which 230 is (still) at Crewe ?.
Where are the rest kept (three at Birkenhead North I read back in July).

I am driving from Dartford to Preston on Wednesday morning so thinking of making a detour to get them.

008 is at Crewe. I can't speak for Birkenhead, but you'll only be able to see the Crewe unit from a passing train on the Kidsgrove line, and even then only briefly as it lives inside the shed.

 

[Zontar]

008 is at Crewe. I can't speak for Birkenhead, but you'll only be able to see the Crewe unit from a passing train on the Kidsgrove line, and even then only briefly as it lives inside the shed.

Looks like there's one about all day.

 

[Peter Sarf]

008 is at Crewe. I can't speak for Birkenhead, but you'll only be able to see the Crewe unit from a passing train on the Kidsgrove line, and even then only briefly as it lives inside the shed.

Thanks, that is easy as that is the only one I already have. I glimpsed it at Crewe back in May from a passing LNWR service from Euston along with several 777s !.

Looks like there's one about all day.

Thanks for those, I will montor those headcodes tomorrow. I looked on RTT for tomorrow at the Wrexham end to see if any others run possibility not starting from Birkenhead North. I get to 5T72s !.

AND so
That accounts for two of the five. Where would the other three be ?. Birkenhead North or where - any ideas ?.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

008 is at Crewe. I can't speak for Birkenhead, but you'll only be able to see the Crewe unit from a passing train on the Kidsgrove line, and even then only briefly as it lives inside the shed.

I managed to photograph it from the main line to Euston a couple of months ago - has it moved sheds?

 

[craigybagel]

I managed to photograph it from the main line to Euston a couple of months ago - has it moved sheds?

It might be just about visible from the mainline if you're quick and there's nothing else parked in the way but I wouldn't rely on it.

 

[Peter Sarf]

It might be just about visible from the mainline if you're quick and there's nothing else parked in the way but I wouldn't rely on it.

I think we got it looking backwards through the entrance of the shed nearest to main line (so North end) and it was in the adjoining longer shed. Layout from memory and I can guess there were maybe three empty roads in between.

 

[jamesst]

AND so
That accounts for two of the five. Where would the other three be ?. Birkenhead North or where - any ideas ?.

Birkenhead North depot can take 4. So generally 2 in the shed (3 Road to be exact), one on A road and one on 7 Road.
A and 7 roads are both visible from passing roads, 3 not so much.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Birkenhead North depot can take 4. So generally 2 in the shed (3 Road to be exact), one on A road and one on 7 Road.
A and 7 roads are both visible from passing roads, 3 not so much.

Thanks for that. Looks like we will drive up to Chester, try and coincide for the training run, then on to and around Birkenhead and then through the Toll tunnel. Thence to Allerton for 331s. Then onwards to the M6 North. Every 777 will be a bonus. Fingers crossed the training unit comes off 3 road ? - yeah I doubt it !.

 

[Zontar]

Thanks for that. Looks like we will drive up to Chester, try and coincide for the training run, then on to and around Birkenhead and then through the Toll tunnel. Thence to Allerton for 331s. Then onwards to the M6 North. Every 777 will be a bonus. Fingers crossed the training unit comes off 3 road ? - yeah I doubt it !.

I think you will have more luck in Wrexham. I've seen them stabled there during the day in-between runs.

 

[Peter Mugridge]

It might be just about visible from the mainline if you're quick and there's nothing else parked in the way but I wouldn't rely on it.

Found my picture; it was a bit longer ago than I thought - taken on 5th May from a passing 390... please excuse the reflections; I had to basically aim and fire and hope it came out...

 

[_toommm_]

As of Saturday 230006 was outside Birkenhead EMUD along with another one, possibly two, inside. 230006 IIRC had not to be moved boards on it.

 

[jamesst]

Thanks for that. Looks like we will drive up to Chester, try and coincide for the training run, then on to and around Birkenhead and then through the Toll tunnel. Thence to Allerton for 331s. Then onwards to the M6 North. Every 777 will be a bonus. Fingers crossed the training unit comes off 3 road ? - yeah I doubt it !.

Sorry I meant the passing rail line (it was a long night!).
The units at Birkenhead North will NOT be visible from any public roads but instead from the adjacent rail line. Get a train between Bidston and Birkenhead North (1 stop) and you should indeed see them.

 

[D821]

006 was outside the depot this morning, I didn't get a chance to see where the other 2 were.

 

[Mollman]

Found my picture; it was a bit longer ago than I thought - taken on 5th May from a passing 390... please excuse the reflections; I had to basically aim and fire and hope it came out...

View attachment 120416

Looks a lot better than my aim & fire attempts!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

Looks a lot better than my aim & fire attempts!

Thank you.

Were you on a 390 as well?

 

[D821]

007 & 009 look like they are about to go out together (can they work as 6 car units on the Borderlands line?), 006 is still parked up.

 

[craigybagel]

007 & 009 look like they are about to go out together (can they work as 6 car units on the Borderlands line?), 006 is still parked up.

They've been tested as 6 cars - it's necessary for rescues after all - but they won't be able to run in service on that line like that. Wrexham Central doesn't even fit a 3 car set, and I believe most of the other platforms won't take a full 6 either.

 

[Zontar]

They've been tested as 6 cars - it's necessary for rescues after all - but they won't be able to run in service on that line like that. Wrexham Central doesn't even fit a 3 car set, and I believe most of the other platforms won't take a full 6 either.

Central does, they extended it.

 

[craigybagel]

Central does, they extended it.

Good to know - last I heard they were planning on locking doors out. But then given how late the project is running I guess there's been no shortage of time to lengthen platforms

 

[Mollman]

Thank you.

Were you on a 390 as well?

Yes

 

[D821]

How many units are allocated to the Borderlands Line? I'm sure I've just seen a fourth unit at Birkenhead North. Three in or outside the depot and a fourth by the new train wash.