Transport for Wales Class 231 / 756 FLIRTs

[BillStampy]

Last night there were a 5Q20 to 5Q25 runs Canton to Pontypridd to Canton then 5Q26 to Bargoed 5Q27 back to Canton. I’m assuming this again is a 756 on test? Thank you if anyone knows.

756 testing and training yes. They did plenty of daytime runs too last week. Hopefully it is meant to be finished in time for the summer break, will be great to have more coaches during the busy times of people travelling in and out of Cardiff through the valleys!

 

[AdamWW]

"Due to shortage of trains, we are currently experiencing cancellations and alterations impacting on services between:
Bargoed and Barry Island"

Problems with the 231s?

Don't like the heat perhaps?

 

[Lurcheroo]

"Due to shortage of trains, we are currently experiencing cancellations and alterations impacting on services between:
Bargoed and Barry Island"

Problems with the 231s?

Don't like the heat perhaps?

6 are out and 2 diagrams are uncovered. Not sure what the issues are though.

 

[StripeyNick]

Last night there were a 5Q20 to 5Q25 runs Canton to Pontypridd to Canton then 5Q26 to Bargoed 5Q27 back to Canton. I’m assuming this again is a 756 on test? Thank you if anyone knows.

I'm guessing so. A friend of mine was up there with one a couple of weeks back

 

[BillStampy]

If I'm not mistaken a 231 went to Aberdare for possibly the first time today? Unless it has before. I know they have gone to Merthyr but not Aberdare. Be great if someone knew. (231008)

 

[AdamWW]

If I'm not mistaken a 231 went to Aberdare for possibly the first time today? Unless it has before. I know they have gone to Merthyr but not Aberdare. Be great if someone knew. (231008)

If would of course now be hard have them serving Merthyr but not Aberdare.

 

[StripeyNick]

If I'm not mistaken a 231 went to Aberdare for possibly the first time today? Unless it has before. I know they have gone to Merthyr but not Aberdare. Be great if someone knew. (231008)

I think one has been up there on test but I believe that was the first in service.

I have a vague recollection that there was a clearance issue another station on the branch that has prevented them heading to Aberdare. That's obviously been sorted now

 

[trawscymru27]

I believe it was also the first one to stop at stations on the city line.

 

[31160]

Is this new diagram going to aberdare at a regular time or just as and when, I see it worked today

 

[BillStampy]

Is this new diagram going to aberdare at a regular time or just as and when, I see it worked today

Some I believe are just swapping in and out, not regularly booked I believe. Similar to Treherbert

 

[Markdvdman]

The 7:08pm was a 231 from Merthyr last night. I noticed it was showing as Delayed from Cardiff until it left! I can verify this as a girl I know on the train spotted it and thought it was a 756 (she works for Pullmans). Relatime Trains said it was a 231 so most likely was!

 

[Signal_Box]

231004 Canton to Clacton 5Q35 this morning, weird any ideas ?

 

[Alfie1014]

231004 Canton to Clacton 5Q35 this morning, weird any ideas ?

GA do engine swaps on their 755s at Clacton?

 

[Signal_Box]

GA do engine swaps on their 755s at Clacton?

No idea, surely it’s easier to HGV one to Cardiff the move the whole train to Clacton?

I think….007 has been in the repair bay for some time, maybe in connection with that perhaps?

 

[Big George]

Reported elsewhere as 231004 off for some kind of repairs following a derailment at Canton.

 

[Roger B]

I visited Barry yesterday. In the long siging were 3 756/1s (103, 111, 112 and 117), in front of the shed were two 756/0s (003 and 005), and further down beside the sheds were a further six 756s, but I couldn't identify them.

 

[Envoy]

I visited Barry yesterday. In the long siging were 3 756/1s (103, 111, 112 and 117), in front of the shed were two 756/0s (003 and 005), and further down beside the sheds were a further six 756s, but I couldn't identify them.

Loads of 756’s have been sitting in Barry sidings since last summer. The central valley lines are wired and live - so why aren’t they getting these trains into service?

 

[1D54]

Loads of 756’s have been sitting in Barry sidings since last summer. The central valley lines are wired and live - so why aren’t they getting these trains into service?

Post #1774 dated 3rd June and the couple after give some clues. Still a poor showing though given the amount of time these desperately needed units have been sitting around at Barry. Seems to be a regular occurrence on the network in the last couple of years.

 

[BillStampy]

I visited Barry yesterday. In the long siging were 3 756/1s (103, 111, 112 and 117), in front of the shed were two 756/0s (003 and 005), and further down beside the sheds were a further six 756s, but I couldn't identify them.

Less than when I visited a few weeks ago, I think there were about 5 or 6 756/1s and four 756/0s. Most that have gone are on canton for testing

 

[Lurcheroo]

Loads of 756’s have been sitting in Barry sidings since last summer. The central valley lines are wired and live - so why aren’t they getting these trains into service?

Because that is but just 1 hurdle to overcome to get brand new trains into service.
The whole fleet replacement project timeline is totally shot.
The 756’s shouldn’t be horrendously far away, and they’re desperately needed so I’m keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Platform 5 list

231001 - 381001 381201 381401 381301 381101
to
231011 - 381011 381211 381411 381311 381111

There's no such thing as an "riv number", so it would definitely be stupid to expect one.

Based on those TOPS numbers, the European Vehicle Numbers will be:
231002:
95 70 0381 002-6
95 70 0381 202-2
95 70 0381 402-8
95 70 0381 302-0
95 70 0381 102-4

231004:
95 70 0381 004-2
95 70 0381 204-8
95 70 0381 404-4
95 70 0381 304-6
95 70 0381 104-0

So can anyone furnish us/me with the vehicle numbers for the 756s.

I have 911002 to work out - think it might be 756002 as it seemed to be a driving coach next to the powerpack ?.

 

[StripeyNick]

So can anyone furnish us/me with the vehicle numbers for the 756s.

I have 911002 to work out - think it might be 756002 as it seemed to be a driving coach next to the powerpack ?.

Formation of 756002:

911002 971002 981002 912002

 

[BillStampy]

They do seem to have moved a bunch of the 756s from one side of Canton to the actual sidings, most likely in preparation for service and easier to get them out testing.

 

[AdamWW]

There's a 231 on one of the Cardiff-Treherbert diagrams this morning and it looks from Realtimetrains as if it's allocated to stay on it all day.

 

[Western 52]

There's a 231 on one of the Cardiff-Treherbert diagrams this morning and it looks from Realtimetrains as if it's allocated to stay on it all day.

I noticed that, I'm planning on catching it at 1159 from Cardiff Central if it stays on diagram.

 

[31160]

I noticed that, I'm planning on catching it at 1159 from Cardiff Central if it stays on diagram.

Yep I did the 0929 and it seamed to be great at it,the extra capacity was very needed

 

[BillStampy]

Yep I did the 0929 and it seamed to be great at it,the extra capacity was very needed

Brilliantly allocated to the presumably 1659 rush hour service, that extra capacity must've been used well!

 

[SouthWalesSam]

Brilliantly allocated to the presumably 1659 rush hour service, that extra capacity must've been used well!

Can confirm it was! Was rare to stop a 231 on the East End of PL7 and then have another on the West end of PL7!

 

[Peter Sarf]

Formation of 756002:

911002 971002 981002 912002

Thankyou.

They do seem to have moved a bunch of the 756s from one side of Canton to the actual sidings, most likely in preparation for service and easier to get them out testing.

Yes I am no longer seeing 756s on the North side of Canton. On Thursday on the South side there were maybe three outside and maybe two or four inside. Some will have been 231 but the ones outside had pantographs up !.

Our travels on Tuesday took us to Barry. We id'd eight 756s there. There were at least half a dozen more behind the bushes to the South and at the West end of Barry depot. But quite possibly nine more there as a guard told us there were seventeen there !.

I noticed on Thursday morning 756102 and 756104 were on RTT trvelling to Canton from Barry steam railway. Does that mean we should have searched further on past Barry Island station ?.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Yep I did the 0929 and it seamed to be great at it,the extra capacity was very needed

I was also on that trip and enjoyed the novelty value.