Welsh Deputy Minister launches Tfw’s Class 231s

first Stadler Class 231 entered traffic with Transport for Wales in January this year, the operator held a celebratory launch event at Caerphilly station on a very wet March 29, with 231001 officially named during it.

The trains were launched by Deputy Minister for Climate Change, Lee Waters MS, who commented on the improvement that their introduction was bringing to passengers travelling in Wales. The 11 Class 231s are part of the £800 million investment TFW is making in brand-new trains for the Wales and Borders network.

The Class 231 is a diesel-powered train from Stadler’s FLIRT design, but the Swiss train builder is also supplying 24 tri-mode Class 756 FLIRTS for use on TFW services.

TFW chief executive officer James Price said: “This is another key milestone for TFW. These brand new Class 231 trains will transform the customer experience and signify the first deliverable of the South Wales Metro. People are now starting to see transformation across our network with the introduction of modern trains that will attract people to use public transport.”

Stadler’s head of engineering, Urs Bikle, added: “Stadler is delighted to see the first of the 71 trains we are delivering for Wales and the Borders enter passenger service. Thirty-five of these are FLIRTS, our best-selling product, of which we have sold 2500 in 21 countries.

“Designed with the passenger in mind, they enjoy high levels of comfort, operational performance, reliability and versatility. “Level-boarding features throughout the train to make getting on and off easier for everyone, maintenance-friendly devices and components keep operating costs low, and lightweight aluminium bodyshells promote environmental efficiency.”

At the launch event, 231001 was named Sultan by Caerphilly school pupil Morgan, who won a competition to choose a name for one of the new trains.

Sultan the Pit Pony is the name given to a modern sculpture in Caerphilly, created as a reminder to the area’s industrial past.

The 200-metre-long sculpture is situated on the site of the former Penalta Colliery.

Andy Coward Andy Coward Braving the elements on March 29, Deputy Minister for Climate Change Lee Waters MS, naming competition winner Morgan, Stadler head of engineering Urs Bikle and Transport for Wales chief executive officer James Price stand alongside 231001 at Caerphilly on March 29, after the unveiling of its Sultan nameplates. On a very wet March 29, 231001 Sultan stands in the bay platform at Caerphilly at the Transport for Wales Class 231 launch event.

Paul Aspinall The Locomotive Services Group’s Chairman’s Train was in operation on the rail network over the Easter bank holiday weekend, hauled by a number of different locomotives from the LSG stable. On Good Friday, April 7, 1Z23, the 14.22 Llandudno to Crewe private train passes through Shotton station, hauled by main line-registered Class 40 D213 Andania.