Transport for Wales Class 231 / 756 Stadler FLIRTs

[StripeyNick]

756111 has done a Cardiff to Barry Island working this afternoon. A first for the class. It's doing another run shortly.....2Y66, 1629 Cardiff to Barry Island

 

[MikePJ]

756111 has done a Cardiff to Barry Island working this afternoon. A first for the class. It's doing another run shortly.....2Y66, 1629 Cardiff to Barry Island

Looks like it was cancelled when the unit returned to Central.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L65269/2026-03-14/detailed

 

[Kite159]

756111 has done a Cardiff to Barry Island working this afternoon. A first for the class. It's doing another run shortly.....2Y66, 1629 Cardiff to Barry Island

Maybe Cardiff to Barry Island, but I'm pretty sure a 756 has worked from Barry Island towards Cardiff at least once, very early morning

 

[BillStampy]

There was a time a while ago where multiple 756s did Cardiff to Barry Island. They're booked to do the morning run to Caerphilly most days anyway.

 

[StripeyNick]

My source within planning has quoted this as the first one to carry passengers between Cardiff and Barry. I know they run to and from Barry Depot daily and that one has tested to the Island

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Mar 2026 ==

Looks like it was cancelled when the unit returned to Central.

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:L65269/2026-03-14/detailed

Was planned to go to Canton upon arrival at Central. It then came back out for the 1629 ex Cardiff. Saw it at Strangetown

 

[Cardiff123]

There's a daily early morning passenger service, 0525 Barry Island to Caerphilly, that has been running as a 3 car 756 since at least December.
It then goes onto the Penarth - Caerphilly - Coryton circuit.

Realtime Trains | 2K02 0525 Barry Island to Caerphilly | 13/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 2K02 0525 departure from Barry Island to Caerphilly on 13/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[StripeyNick]

There's a daily early morning passenger service, 0525 Barry Island to Caerphilly, that has been running as a 3 car 756 since at least December.
It then goes onto the Penarth - Caerphilly - Coryton circuit.

Realtime Trains | 2K02 0525 Barry Island to Caerphilly | 13/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 2K02 0525 departure from Barry Island to Caerphilly on 13/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Ah ok. In that case, he must have been meaning first 756/1

 

[Penmorfa]

on Monday there is a 5Q40 08.09 Canton to Holyhead ECS, Class 231 hauled by a 37. The 37 then returns LE to Derby. Speculation anybody?

 

[BillStampy]

on Monday there is a 5Q40 08.09 Canton to Holyhead ECS, Class 231 hauled by a 37. The 37 then returns LE to Derby. Speculation anybody?

Posts 3178 and 3179 had a brief talk about this, page 106. Apparently a visit to the wheel lathe.

 

[Penmorfa]

Posts 3178 and 3179 had a brief talk about this, page 106. Apparently a visit to the wheel lathe.

Thanks Bill, here was I thinking we'd be getting something better to replace the 197's on long distance runs.

 

[craigybagel]

Posts 3178 and 3179 had a brief talk about this, page 106. Apparently a visit to the wheel lathe.

I should hasten to add, it's only my suspicion that it's off to the lathe. I've not had that confirmed.

Thanks Bill, here was I thinking we'd be getting something better to replace the 197's on long distance runs.

As much as I'd love to get to play with a Stadler built product, the 231s as built don't seem best suited to the long runs to the north. No corridor connections on a relatively short train, and i understand they don't have large enough fuel tanks to support such long distance running.

 

[Penmorfa]

I should hasten to add, it's only my suspicion that it's off to the lathe. I've not had that confirmed.

As much as I'd love to get to play with a Stadler built product, the 231s as built don't seem best suited to the long runs to the north. No corridor connections on a relatively short train, and i understand they don't have large enough fuel tanks to support such long distance running.

You could always work for Merseyrail

 

[BillStampy]

I should hasten to add, it's only my suspicion that it's off to the lathe. I've not had that confirmed.

Diolch for that addition, it's better to have an idea of what it could be rather than have no clue at all anyway.

 

[Envoy]

I should hasten to add, it's only my suspicion that it's off to the lathe. I've not had that confirmed.

As much as I'd love to get to play with a Stadler built product, the 231s as built don't seem best suited to the long runs to the north. No corridor connections on a relatively short train, and i understand they don't have large enough fuel tanks to support such long distance running.

The seats on the FLIRTS are far worse than those on the 197’s. (Backs are too upright, bases not long enough and hard). I would not want to be on one for a long journey.

 

[positron]

The seats on the FLIRTS are far worse than those on the 197’s. (Backs are too upright, bases not long enough and hard). I would not want to be on one for a long journey.

I do think a version of the flirts designed for long distance would be perfect for most of Wales. Level boarding shouldn't be locked to just south east Wales. But I agree the 231s and 756s are built for their intended usage and I don't think they'd work elsewhere without modifications.

It does seem like the 231s are going to take a while to be on their intended routes if the 398 thread is anything to go by.

 

[Northerngirl]

Realtime Trains | 5Q40 0809 Cardiff Canton Sidings to Holyhead Car. M.D. | 16/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q40 0809 departure from Cardiff Canton Sidings to Holyhead Car. M.D. on 16/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

231006 was on this. Must be the first time for a flirt in the north

 

[AdamWW]

Realtime Trains | 5Q40 0809 Cardiff Canton Sidings to Holyhead Car. M.D. | 16/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q40 0809 departure from Cardiff Canton Sidings to Holyhead Car. M.D. on 16/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

231006 was on this. Must be the first time for a flirt in the north

Here it at Cardiff Central this morning (not my photo but posted here with permission)

 

[tfw756rider]

Not my video - it's by Dave (DH Trains) at a foot crossing in Prestatyn, apparently.

'16/03/26 -ROG Class 37 -37510 & TfW Class 231 - 231006 -(5Q40 0809) Cardiff Canton Sidings to Holyhead Car(.) M.D.'

=========================

Two posts in the public Facebook group Transport for Wales Enthusiasts:

Pete Glover (3 photos):

Todays (16/3/26) 5Q40 Cardiff Canton-Holyhead CAR. M.D. 37510+231006 for tyre turning, passing Yorton.

Jon Veitch (6 photos):

Much excitement to capture my old friend 37510 ‘Orion’ hauling 231006 through Llandudno Junction with 5Q40 0809 Cardiff Canton - Holyhead MD for wheel reprofiling of the Stadler unit. 16th March 2026.

I've attached two of the 9 photos (one from each location/photographer), as they should be enough to give an idea (where necessary), while bearing copyright in mind:

(by the way, does anyone in here know when the return journey will be made?)

 

[gazthomas]

Here's my photos of the train passing Cadnant Park, Conwy about 10 minutes late.

My wife also filmed the train, YouTube link here:

 

[Penmorfa]

Not my video - it's by Dave (DH Trains) at a foot crossing in Prestatyn, apparently.

'16/03/26 -ROG Class 37 -37510 & TfW Class 231 - 231006 -(5Q40 0809) Cardiff Canton Sidings to Holyhead Car(.) M.D.'

=========================

Two posts in the public Facebook group Transport for Wales Enthusiasts:

Pete Glover (3 photos):


Jon Veitch (6 photos):


I've attached two of the 9 photos (one from each location/photographer), as they should be enough to give an idea (where necessary), while bearing copyright in mind:

(by the way, does anyone in here know when the return journey will be made?)

Just listen to those flats

 

[AdamWW]

Just listen to those flats

It takes 5 756/0s to cover the Penarth-Coryton-Caerphilly service.
I don't think ultimately there will be any other trains that can cover these services.
So I hope in times to come there won't ever be more than 2 out of service at a time.

 

[Geeves]

My feeling is Stadler will want to do the work in their own workshops. It is after all something that will come with a warranty and no doubt there will be tests of each converted unit following on from the work.

All in all making it not cheap and so not something TfW will easily make a decision on unfortunately.

In regards to 231 mods

Don't forget Norwich Crown Point is a Stadler Depot officially (it might only deal with Stadlers now?) so that is the probably a better option than CAF!

 

[Northerngirl]

Has anyone got to the bottom of why its gone all this way, and is it visible at holyhead currently?

 

[StripeyNick]

Has anyone got to the bottom of why its gone all this way, and is it visible at holyhead currently?

It's gone to use the wheel lathe at Holyhead as the one at Canton is out of action

 

[tfw756rider]

Does anyone in here know when it's likely to return?

 

[StripeyNick]

Does anyone in here know when it's likely to return?

Well it doesn't take that long to put something through the lathe so wouldn't expect it to be away for long. Keep an eye on RTT

 

[Rhydgaled]

In regards to 231 mods

Don't forget Norwich Crown Point is a Stadler Depot officially (it might only deal with Stadlers now?) so that is the probably a better option than CAF!

In that case aren't there any Stadler depots closer to Wales than Norwich, given that Stadler rolling stock (although not of the FLIRT family) is also used (or at least on-order) in the Liverpool, Glasgow and Newcastle areas? Guessing Liverpool would be the only one of those closer than Norwich though?

 

[Peter Sarf]

In that case aren't there any Stadler depots closer to Wales than Norwich, given that Stadler rolling stock (although not of the FLIRT family) is also used (or at least on-order) in the Liverpool, Glasgow and Newcastle areas? Guessing Liverpool would be the only one of those closer than Norwich though?

Norwich has the advantage of dealing with the very similar 755s. Liverpool and Newcastle are light rail/trams. Glasgow - if you are thinking of the subway then that won't fit - that's a different gauge !.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

In that case aren't there any Stadler depots closer to Wales than Norwich

Birkenhead North is a Stadler depot (but also deals with the hybrid 230s)

 

[Prime586]

Birkenhead North is a Stadler depot (but also deals with the hybrid 230s)

The Merseyrail Stadler depots didn't do the post-delivery mods to fit the guard dispatch panels on the 777s - they went to Crewe to have that work done.