British Rail Class 231
| British Rail Class 231 FLIRT | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Stadler Rail |
| Family name | FLIRT |
| Replaced | |
| Constructed | TBC |
| Number under construction | 11 units to be built |
| Number built | 0 |
| Formation | 11 x 4-car units |
| Fleet numbers | 231001–231011 |
| Operators | Transport for Wales |
| Depots | Cardiff Canton TMD |
| Specifications | |
| Maximum speed | 160 km/h (100 mph) |
| Multiple working | Within class |
| Track gauge | 1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) (Standard Gauge) |
The Class 231 FLIRT[2] is a class of diesel-electric multiple unit which will be built for Transport for Wales by Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler Rail.
A total of eleven four-car units are to be built.
History
The current Wales & Borders rail franchise, operated by KeolisAmey, commenced on 14 October 2018. During the franchise period, the operator will oversee a full fleet replacement,[3] with a batch of eleven brand new diesel-electric multiple units set to join the fleet in 2022.[4]
Operators
Transport for Wales
When built, Transport for Wales' Class 231 units will operate services between Maesteg and Cheltenham Spa as well as Cardiff Central and Ebbw Vale.
Fleet details
| Class | Operator | Number | Year Built | Cars | Unit nos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Class 231 | Transport for Wales | 11 | TBC | 4 | 231001–231011 |
References
- ^ The Class 170s will be cascaded to some routes which Class 150 or Class 153 operates.
- ^ @tfwrail (2 December 2019). "The diesel-electric Metro trains that will run on the Maesteg, Ebbw Vale and Cardiff-Cheltenham lines from 2022 will be Class 231" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "KeolisAmey reveal new-look Wales trains and services". BBC News. BBC. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
- ^ Barry, Sion (4 June 2018). "How Wales' railways will be transformed with new stations, trains and jobs through investment worth billions". WalesOnline. Cardiff: Reach. Retrieved 30 September 2018.