Transport for Wales Class 231 / 756 Stadler FLIRTs

[Rhydgaled]

Glasgow - if you are thinking of the subway then that won't fit - that's a different gauge !.

Yes, I was thinking of the subway. Yes the loading gauge is presumably rather tighter than most surface lines, but I just thought it might be like much of the London Underground; standard gauge and with the depot being on the surface somewhere.

 

[Bob Price]

Yes, I was thinking of the subway. Yes the loading gauge is presumably rather tighter than most surface lines, but I just thought it might be like much of the London Underground; standard gauge and with the depot being on the surface somewhere.

It's actually 4 ft gauge not standard gauge. You wouldn't get a 231 into the depot.

 

[gazthomas]

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

Friday 20 March time TBC

 

[tfw756rider]

Friday 20 March time TBC

Thanks a lot, I wonder when the schedule will appear?

 

[gazthomas]

Thanks a lot, I wonder when the schedule will appear?

No worries, could be first thing tomorrow. I'll keep an eye out on RTT

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Mar 2026 ==

Thanks a lot, I wonder when the schedule will appear?

Interestingly there is now a light engine move from Holyhead to Derby, I'm guessing this is 37510.
So the 231 doesn't appear to be moving yet (unless it moves itself! Heaven forbid that happens )

Realtime Trains | 0M57 0957 Holyhead Car. M.D. to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) | 20/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 0M57 0957 departure from Holyhead Car. M.D. to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) on 20/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[tfw756rider]

No worries, could be first thing tomorrow. I'll keep an eye out on RTT

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Mar 2026 ==


Interestingly there is now a light engine move from Holyhead to Derby, I'm guessing this is 37510.
So the 231 doesn't appear to be moving yet (unless it moves itself! Heaven forbid that happens )

Realtime Trains | 0M57 0957 Holyhead Car. M.D. to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) | 20/03/2026

Real-time train running information for 0M57 0957 departure from Holyhead Car. M.D. to Derby R.T.C.(Network Rail) on 20/03/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Thanks, any updates on 231006's return from Holyhead?

 

[Philip Roberts]

Does anyone know when the 231s are likely to enter service on the Ebbw/Maesteg line(s)? I appreciate its reliant on the 398s being introduced first. I think the plan was by the end of the year.

 

[gazthomas]

Thanks, any updates on 231006's return from Holyhead?

Nothing yet I'm afraid

 

[tfw756rider]

Nothing yet I'm afraid

Here we go:

Realtime Trains | 5Q40 1019 Cardiff Canton Sidings to Holyhead Car. M.D. | 02/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q40 1019 departure from Cardiff Canton Sidings to Holyhead Car. M.D. on 02/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q78 1110 Holyhead Car. M.D. to Cardiff Canton Sidings | 03/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q78 1110 departure from Holyhead Car. M.D. to Cardiff Canton Sidings on 03/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Looks like another 231 is going to Holyhead before 231006 returns to Cardiff.

 

[gazthomas]

Here we go:

Realtime Trains | 5Q40 1019 Cardiff Canton Sidings to Holyhead Car. M.D. | 02/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q40 1019 departure from Cardiff Canton Sidings to Holyhead Car. M.D. on 02/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q78 1110 Holyhead Car. M.D. to Cardiff Canton Sidings | 03/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q78 1110 departure from Holyhead Car. M.D. to Cardiff Canton Sidings on 03/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Looks like another 231 is going to Holyhead before 231006 returns to Cardiff.

Thanks for the update. Makes sense to optimise the use of the 37

 

[Envoy]

Why have FLIRT’s got to go all the way to Holyhead to have their wheels fixed? Can't it be done at Cardiff Canton?

 

[tfw756rider]

Why have FLIRT’s got to go all the way to Holyhead to have their wheels fixed? Can't it be done at Cardiff Canton?

If I recall correctly, either Cardiff Canton's wheel lathe is down, or Transport for Wales is trying out having FLIRTs done at Holyhead wheel lathe, or both.

Welcome @gazthomas

 

[Caaardiff]

Why have FLIRT’s got to go all the way to Holyhead to have their wheels fixed? Can't it be done at Cardiff Canton?

The lathe at Canton is out of action for some time while its being upgraded.

 

[Envoy]

The lathe at Canton is out of action for some time while its being upgraded.

Sounds like Canton depot is the equivalent of a back lane garage!

 

[Anonymous10]

Sounds like Canton depot is the equivalent of a back lane garage!

Whats the issue with it being closed for an upgrade?

 

[Envoy]

Whats the issue with it being closed for an upgrade?

Cardiff (above) says that the lathe has been out of action for some time. I was thinking that surely an important depot like Canton should always have a working lathe and that they would simply have removed the old one and brought in a new one.

 

[Anonymous10]

Cardiff (above) says that the lathe has been out of action for some time. I was thinking that surely an important depot like Canton should always have a working lathe and that they would simply have removed the old one and brought in a new one.

He actually states IS out of action for some time, rather than HAS been, indicating its part of an upgrade or repair.

 

[MCR247]

Cardiff (above) says that the lathe has been out of action for some time. I was thinking that surely an important depot like Canton should always have a working lathe and that they would simply have removed the old one and brought in a new one.

Who says that’s not effectively what they’re doing? As I understand it a wheel lathe is quite a complex piece of equipment so it probably isn’t quite as simple as unplugging the old one as soon as Amazon drop off the new one

 

[Caaardiff]

Cardiff (above) says that the lathe has been out of action for some time. I was thinking that surely an important depot like Canton should always have a working lathe and that they would simply have removed the old one and brought in a new one.

He actually states IS out of action for some time, rather than HAS been, indicating its part of an upgrade or repair.

Indeed

On top the topic of removing the old one and bringing in a new one, do think something like that is done overnight?

Whats the issue with it being closed for an upgrade?

I don't know the reasons for the upgrade but as with anything in life that needs upgrading, if you don't have an alternative while that is being upgraded then further alternative options need to be looked at, such as Holyhead.

Canton is an ageing Depot that will be around for some time, so there will always be things that need improving or tweaking, especially with all the changes TFW has seen.

 

[56xx]

What is the new building at the west end of Canton alongside the main line? It has deep and wide pits and I thought it was to do with a brand new wheel lathe. It seems to be nearing completion.

 

[BillStampy]

What is the new building at the west end of Canton alongside the main line? It has deep and wide pits and I thought it was to do with a brand new wheel lathe. It seems to be nearing completion.

I believe it's the brand new wheel lathe, yes. Unfortunately as has already been discussed, the old one is out of use. Hence the use of a Class 37 to drag the FLIRTs to Holyhead.

When I passed Canton yesterday there was a whole array of units seemingly waiting for tyre turning!

 

[tfw756rider]

Here we go:

Realtime Trains | 5Q40 1019 Cardiff Canton Sidings to Holyhead Car. M.D. | 02/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q40 1019 departure from Cardiff Canton Sidings to Holyhead Car. M.D. on 02/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q78 1110 Holyhead Car. M.D. to Cardiff Canton Sidings | 03/04/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q78 1110 departure from Holyhead Car. M.D. to Cardiff Canton Sidings on 03/04/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Looks like another 231 is going to Holyhead before 231006 returns to Cardiff.

Someone I know has told me that 5Q40 is actually 37800+231009+756105.

 

[Welshguy1048]

Filmed at Prestatyn, North Wales on 2nd April

ROG Class 37 - 37800 - TfW Class 756 - 756105 & TfW Class 231 - 231009 - Cardiff Canton Sidings to Holyhead Car M.D - Empty Coaching Stock move

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Apr 2026 ==

Filmed at Prestatyn, North Wales on 3rd April

ROG Class 37 - 37800 & TfW Class 231 - 231006 - Holyhead Car M.D to Cardiff Canton Sdgs

 

[gazthomas]

@tfw756rider

A couple of shots from the last two days (Pensarn and Llanddulas)

 

[tfw756rider]

Nice one @Welshguy1048, very nice @gazthomas!

231s and 756s look quite good in North Wales

 

[gazthomas]

Nice one @Welshguy1048, very nice @gazthomas!

231s and 756s look quite good in North Wales

They certainly do. It would have been nice to have them up here rather than the 197s!
Forgive me for asking a no doubt repetitive question, but why were 231s bought instead of 11 197s?

 

[positron]

They certainly do. It would have been nice to have them up here rather than the 197s!
Forgive me for asking a no doubt repetitive question, but why were 231s bought instead of 11 197s?

I believe the level boarding and also the ability to convert to bi-modes in future so they can use the Swml electrification where possible. They don't quite have level boarding across the entire metro area (namely the marches to Abergavenny don't get it) but I think the entire rest of the metro area does (once the final stock allocation is complete).

 

[gazthomas]

I believe the level boarding and also the ability to convert to bi-modes in future so they can use the Swml electrification where possible. They don't quite have level boarding across the entire metro area (namely the marches to Abergavenny don't get it) but I think the entire rest of the metro area does (once the final stock allocation is complete).

Thank you

 

[Northerngirl]

Didn't realise it was two together, can they operate together or is it just when they are dead

 

[tfw756rider]

Didn't realise it was two together, can they operate together or is it just when they are dead

They can operate together, at least for non-passenger moves, but may be able to operate together in passenger service as well, but I'm not sure.