TfW takes delivery of its first Stadler 'Flirt' units
THE first pair of Class 231 Stadler ‘Flirt’ diesel multiple units has arrived in the UK and been delivered to Transport for Wales’ Cardiff Canton depot.
Nos. 231002/004 were hauled from Ripple Lane to the Welsh depot by No. 66001, departing late on November 18 and arriving the next morning. The units have been constructed at Stadler’s Bussnang factory in Switzerland and moved to the UK via the Channel Tunnel.
Transport for Wales has 11 Class 231 units on order, made up of four vehicles, plus a power pack. Intended for use on the Cardiff to Cheltenham route, as well as the Maesteg and Ebbw Vale branches, they are similar in design to the Class 755 ‘Flirt’ units operated by Greater Anglia, but without any overhead line capability. They should enter service in 2022 (see also Preview, p6).
THREE FLEETS ON ORDER
The Class 231s are one of three fleets on order from Stadler. Due to begin entering service next year are the Class 398 ‘tram trains’, which are to be used on the Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare and Treherbert branches, and will eventually undertake street
