Transport for Wales Class 231 / 756 FLIRTs

[CapitalStar378]

First 231 in passenger service to Treherbert this morning...

Realtime Trains | 2T00 0636 Cardiff Central to Treherbert | 18/04/2024

Real-time train running information for 2T00 0636 departure from Cardiff Central to Treherbert on 18/04/2024. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Are there spare 231s or will this just mean extra 150s on the Rhymney line? Assume this would just be until the 756s start in summer.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

150282 1612 to Treherbert (from Cardiff Central)
231008 1610 to Cardiff Central (from Treherbert)
Cathays

Finally the demise of the rancid 150s from uni town.

 

[PaulHarding150]

Great to see these finally in service.

Edit: (on this route).

 

[norbitonflyer]

Great to see these finally in service.

They've been in service for a while on the Rhymney line. Hopefully this sight means the 756s will soon appear on that line

 

[BillStampy]

They've been in service for a while on the Rhymney line. Hopefully this sight means the 756s will soon appear on that line

756's have started testing operated by Transport for Wales between Canton and Pontypridd recently, expected introduction in June, supposedly at the time of the June timetable change

 

[MikePJ]

756's have started testing operated by Transport for Wales between Canton and Pontypridd recently, expected introduction in June, supposedly at the time of the June timetable change

The TfW publicity video says that the 756s are being tested on that route because they're being expected to be used for the National Eisteddfod in Pontypridd in August - they'll certainly provide more capacity and a nicer experience than the Sprinters.

However, as the June timetable change was designed not to need any new rolling stock (i.e. it doesn't need 756s and 398s), it does mean that it's fairly low-risk to introduce the 756s at that point, as they can fall back to existing stock should there be problems.

 

[Hwnt52]

756116 on test today:
1 Passing Danescourt Station enroute to Pontypridd , 2 At Radyr returning to Canton.

 

[Kanzo]

Pretty sure I saw a flirt pass waun gron at 8 in the morning today. Was that a 756 on test?

 

[trawscymru27]

Pretty sure I saw a flirt pass waun gron at 8 in the morning today. Was that a 756 on test?

Yes, there are now regular training runs between Canton and Ponypridd via the city line on weekdays. For example: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:V18474/2024-04-23/detailed#allox_id=0