Transport for Wales Class 231 / 756 FLIRTs

[Wyrleybart]

The CAF 197s will be maintained by CAF at Chester, taking over the current Alstom 175 Depot at Chester and at Machynlleth (ERMTS ones). Thiese have been covered in the CAF thread and the Flirts will be maintained by Stadler at Canton following alterations at the Depot.

So Stadler are taking part of Canton then. Thanks Philipe

 

[superalbs]

Think I just saw one on the Timișoara to Arad line here in Romania. Anyone know why?

 

[DelW]

Think I just saw one on the Timișoara to Arad line here in Romania. Anyone know why?

An article in September's Railway Magazine says that TfW's FLIRTs will be tested in Switzerland, but also that "trials will also take place in Germany, Romania and the Czech Republic prior to their arrival in the UK". It doesn't give any further details but may explain what you saw.

 

[superalbs]

Believe it was 231001. Very pleased with that sighting, but sadly the grip prevented a photo.

 

[Dixie]

Here is a photo of 231 002 in Switzerland taken 29 September 2021 by Mario Stefani, a well known Swiss rail photographer. You can also see it in this video:

 

[superalbs]

My friend reported a sighting of the unit yesterday in Neuchâtel.

 

[Dixie]

My friend reported a sighting of the unit yesterday in Neuchâtel.

That's just a few miles from where these images were taken

 

[anthony263]

231001 supposed to arrive in the UK next month I read online

 

[nw1]

(Re potential electrification to Swansea)
This sentence did make me smile

Is Swansea a target seat for the Tories? The answer to that will govern whether it's electrified or not, I suspect...

 

[krus_aragon]

Is Swansea a target seat for the Tories? The answer to that will govern whether it's electrified or not, I suspect...

Gower and Bridgend are Labour/Conservative marginals at UK level, but Labour have 10k majorities over them in both Swansea constituencies. The planned boundary changes will change matters to some extent, of course.

At a Welsh Parliament level, the Conservatives are much weaker in this area, pushed into third place in many constituencies.

 

[Western 52]

231001 supposed to arrive in the UK next month I read online

Presumably not able to travel via the Channel tunnel due to gauging issues etc.?

 

[PHILIPE]

Presumably not able to travel via the Channel tunnel due to gauging issues etc.?

Movements of new stock go deeper than that. Things like certification to run over the routes concerned, lots of paper work. People are always asking this question and although I don't profess to know all the details myself but there is always an answer.

 

[Domh245]

Presumably not able to travel via the Channel tunnel due to gauging issues etc.?

I thought all the GA units were tunnel delivered? The Merseyrail 777s have all come via the tunnel thus far - articulated units such as Stadlers make the mountains of paperwork worth it compared to the awkward splitting required for road haulage

 

[Wyrleybart]

I thought all the GA units were tunnel delivered? The Merseyrail 777s have all come via the tunnel thus far - articulated units such as Stadlers make the mountains of paperwork worth it compared to the awkward splitting required for road haulage

Agree. Can't see why they wouldn't be delivered by tunnel like all the other Stadler builds, probably including the new NEXUS fleet in the next year or two.

 

[PHILIPE]

Agree. Can't see why they wouldn't be delivered by tunnel like all the other Stadler builds, probably including the new NEXUS fleet in the next year or two.

Has anybody actually said they won't be travelling via the tunnel ? I know I've mentioned possible reasons but are there any actually ?

 

[Buzz68]

I see from online articles the first TfW is due in November for testing I assume from reading above it will a 231 either 001 or 002? Is there a reason it’s not possible to go through the tunnel?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Nov 2021 ==

I see mentioned today on another group that DB have the contract to deliver the new TfW Class 231 (11 4-cars) and Class 756 (7 3-cars and 17 4-cars).

The train will run up HS1, using the 1810 Dollands Moor - Ripple Lane path. Is that through the tunnel??

The first unit is planned to arrive next Thursday, a DB 92 + 66001 or 66002 will be used to drag them up HS1.

 

[anthony263]

Not sure how accurate this is but I've read on one of thesouth wales railway groups on Facebook that the first class 231 is due to arrive in the UK on Thursday.

This might be a false rumour however it might be worth keeping an eye out

 

[Buzz68]

Not sure how accurate this is but I've read on one of thesouth wales railway groups on Facebook that the first class 231 is due to arrive in the UK on Thursday.

This might be a false rumour however it might be worth keeping an eye out

I've heard the Thurs arrival date mentioned a few times now from difference sources so will be interesting to see if it materialises. Still be a long time before we see out on the Valley lines.

 

[Cardiff123]

I see from online articles the first TfW is due in November for testing I assume from reading above it will a 231 either 001 or 002? Is there a reason it’s not possible to go through the tunnel?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Nov 2021 ==

I see mentioned today on another group that DB have the contract to deliver the new TfW Class 231 (11 4-cars) and Class 756 (7 3-cars and 17 4-cars).

The train will run up HS1, using the 1810 Dollands Moor - Ripple Lane path. Is that through the tunnel??

The first unit is planned to arrive next Thursday, a DB 92 + 66001 or 66002 will be used to drag them up HS1.

Can you provide links to these online articles please? I assume you mean this November, which is right now, and not November 2022?

 

[anthony263]

Some posters on this post on Facebook where I originally saw the information have said the unit should pass through Cardiff Central around 0840 on Friday.

Guess we'll just have to see what turns up

 

[Buzz68]

Can you provide links to these online articles please? I assume you mean this November, which is right now, and not November 2022?

Yes November 2022

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Nov 2021 ==

Thanks

Some posters on this post on Facebook where I originally saw the information have said the unit should pass through Cardiff Central around 0840 on Friday.

Guess we'll just have to see what turns up

 

[Rhydgaled]

Some posters on this post on Facebook where I originally saw the information have said the unit should pass through Cardiff Central around 0840 on Friday.

Where's it going, Canton?

 

[MatthewRead]

Yes November 2022

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Nov 2021 ==

Thanks

No surely this November 2021

 

[anthony263]

Where's it going, Canton?

Yes probably the pulman side i suspect. I'm just going to wait and see what turns up Friday.

0840 through Cardiff has been mentioned a few times on Facebook. Till we actually see one turn up we will just need to wait

 

[Bob Price]

It will appear in the schedules the day before probably.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Nov 2021 ==

There is a path booked from Ripple Lane to Canton on Friday. No code yet so just a placeholder.

Newport 08.17
Cardiff Central 08.35

May go down and film it if I can

 

[Buzz68]

This is the booked path from Ripple Lane to Cardiff Canton

Realtime Trains - 542V 2314 Ripple Lane Exch Sdgs to Canton Sidings

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

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Both 66001 and 002 are in Dollands Moors so either likely traction or both?

 

[anthony263]

Could be although looking at the pathing it may get to Cardiff early as its got a few long breaks in loops along the journey.

Not sure if its just 1 class 231 or 2 of them

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Nov 2021 ==

Due through barking Thursday night as 2321

 

[Buzz68]

Could be although looking at the pathing it may get to Cardiff early as its got a few long breaks in loops along the journey.

Not sure if its just 1 class 231 or 2 of them

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Nov 2021 ==

Due through barking Thursday night as 2321

Train weight is showing as 600 tonnes? I seem to remember reading that a 231 was 160 odd tonnes if I remember correctly. Then I guess loco/s and barrier wagons.

 

[anthony263]

Thank you. Think it will be nice for tfw to show off this unit when its delivered especially with the bad press lately

 

[Dai Corner]

Train weight is showing as 600 tonnes? I seem to remember reading that a 231 was 160 odd tonnes if I remember correctly. Then I guess loco/s and barrier wagons.

That'll be the 'timing load' used to calculate the sectional running times not the actual weight of the train.