It's bizarre how well the overground worked in London, yet nowhere else in the UK has yet adopted its model. It may be a slow process but I really hope we're seeing the first steps of a railway revolution in the UK. We've been stuck in the past for far too many decades.
@@iman2341 Ah yes, that one's even more baffling since it's been around for decades now, and seems like a perfect concept for smaller cities and towns. It was built incredibly cheaply in the 80's, and played a huge hand in the unbelievable transformation of the docklands area, but unfortunately it probably couldn't be built for anywhere near such a low cost today (even adjusted for inflation). If other cities had followed suit around the same time, the whole country could have some incredible transport networks by now. I suppose we can only look to the future now and push for whatever projects we can.
These look like they could be a game changer - they look really good. Also, by removing the engines from under the carriages, unless you are next to the thrash cabinet (!), it should be much quieter than many multiplier units.
Going from.a cl150 to these will be like night and day. I imagine the doors will help dampen any noise, but the engine will only be on on the Vale of Glamorgan line.
Bi-/tri-mode trains are a great solution to those silly moments when you get on a diesel train and travel most of your route under wires that are just begging to be used!
@@Rail_Focus There's always a compromise in this country. The British are the best in the world and masters at finding ways to be able to spend less money on almost any project. Never go for the perfect solution where there's a compromise!
Massively disappointed they are not using FLIRTs on the route to Birmingham International. Not sure if the CAF units are bi-mode but given that the line between Wolverhampton and Birmingham International is electrified - and that TfWM would like to electrify between Crewe and Wolvo in future, the FLIRTs would be a great choice for this route.
CAF units are DMU only unfortunately. It would've been great if TfW operated FLIRTs on all routes as they have DMU versions and IPEMU versions for running between non electrified and electrified sections. But I imagine the FLIRTs are not cheap.
@@Rail_Focus Im actually a proponent of having a rail clean air zone in the TfWM boundary. Charging TOCs that use their diesel engines inside the boundary. ALL areas within the boundary should be electrifed to make this possible. Key TOCs that should then convert to bi-mode would be Chiltern, XCountry, WMT/LNWR and TfW. Freight should be exempt though, but avoid the cities - no class 66 through New Street dor example.
5:07 I have used the same ones one so the class 231, you simply pull it out from it area and then place it on the LOWER part of the bicycle frame. Just be careful not to let go of them cause it is literally a slap of metal and will be straight out that window if it gain enough speed (with the mechanism that pulls it in I’m sure it would hit the window with enough velocity to smash it)
5:30 Are you old enough to remember when soft-close/open was considered a sign of quality on a cassette player or have you just learned about it on reviews of classic tech? Or maybe you've discovered this signature of good design separately. I was on one of those flip down seats on the London Underground S Stock, got up to get something out of my pocket and sat down again, only to not realize it had 'helpfully' flipped back up. I fell to the floor, spilled my coffee on myself and thought it was hilarious but what with it being London, nobody else noticed or if they did, they didn't say anything about it. Maybe if the flip up seats had brakes like these ones, my coffee, jeans and dignity would still be intact. Scratch that; the dignity departed me years ago.
The Class 756 Tri-mode FLIRT does look really nice and quiet compare to the older diesel trains. Perhaps Stadler should continue on manufacturing more new FLIRT Bi-mode and Tri-mode rolling stocks that would be ideal to operate in Southwest England, North of England, Scotland, the East Midlands and London. And maybe new Flirt trains for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. And Stadler to build a UK based train manufacturing plant to continue on their mass production of FLIRT and Metro rolling stocks. And new London Underground tube stocks to replace the existing tube stocks on the 1972 Stock used on the Bakerloo Line and 1992 Stock used on the Waterloo & City Line and Central Line.
What's the battery range? It seems a bit strange to talk of batteries only being used to get through tunnels or under bridges or to power for a "short distance to the next station in the event of a power failure" when other battery trains claim 100Km real world range (and I think it was Stadler that set the record with over 200Km).
I believe the batteries will also be used in conjunction with the engine to provide additional power over the Vale of Glamorgan line. But the batteries will also be needed as there will be gaps in the electrification.
Both the Class 231 and Class 756 TfW FLIRTS are very nice that Stadler have built. And not forgetting the Class 398 City-link tram trains which are expected to enter service from mid 2024. I have been on Greater Anglia Class 745 and Class 755 and they are very nice trains.
Are these the same ones that are currently tipping over and falling off the tracks as they enter the sheds at Taffs Well? If they are, then a TFW Area Regional Manager told me that they may never enter service until the defects and tracks can guarantee security? Also, so much for TFW's statement of "cleaner travel" if their stock is intending to covertly use diesel!!!!! I thank you for this video though, as you may have inside knowledge/contacts as to the afore mentioned predicament!
Marches to remain unelectrified for now, signalling upgrades are due to take place so the new service from Liverpool to Cardiff can operate from December 2024. But services on the route will be operated by new Class 197s, or Mk4 loco hauled sets from Manchester.
Utterly disgusting that there is new rolling stock and electrification of the commuter Cardiff lines whilst the main South Wales line remains diesel from Cardiff westwards. In addition to this the intercity travellers have to use old stock that is not much better than cattle trucks. Mid and N Wales are the same for those lucky to have any railways. TFW and the 'Welsh Government' are a joke sadly.
Agree the line should be electrified to Swansea but TfW is getting all new stock apart from the loco hauled sets, but they are great for passengers by all accounts.
@@Rail_Focus I think it should go right down to the Irish ferry ports. Plus the London and Manchester lines have to use a two rail track so express trains get held up by commuter traffic. I have a lot of first hand experience travelling Swansea to Manchester Piccadilly and the service is deteriorating. Along with the rolling stock. Sadly se have been promised new stock for years now.
Network Rail is not controlled by the Welsh Government. Personally I find it outrageous that WG are paying for upgrades to NR infrastructure to make up central government's decades long track record of non-investment.
Rail photography on Redbbuble, prints, mugs, t-shirts and much more: www.redbubble.com/people/EngPhotography/explore?page=1&sortOrder=recent
Big thank you Bob's Rail Relics for the Class 231 clips and 756 images.
Thank you
Absolute game changing units for S Wales. Hopefully we see the “Overground effect” in full force in the next few years!
They really are excellent units, I think game changer is right.
It's bizarre how well the overground worked in London, yet nowhere else in the UK has yet adopted its model. It may be a slow process but I really hope we're seeing the first steps of a railway revolution in the UK. We've been stuck in the past for far too many decades.
@@idot3331 See the DLR aswell. We love to do things really well in the UK, just once.
@@iman2341 Ah yes, that one's even more baffling since it's been around for decades now, and seems like a perfect concept for smaller cities and towns. It was built incredibly cheaply in the 80's, and played a huge hand in the unbelievable transformation of the docklands area, but unfortunately it probably couldn't be built for anywhere near such a low cost today (even adjusted for inflation). If other cities had followed suit around the same time, the whole country could have some incredible transport networks by now. I suppose we can only look to the future now and push for whatever projects we can.
@@idot3331apologies for not knowing, but what is the overground "model"
These look like they could be a game changer - they look really good. Also, by removing the engines from under the carriages, unless you are next to the thrash cabinet (!), it should be much quieter than many multiplier units.
Going from.a cl150 to these will be like night and day. I imagine the doors will help dampen any noise, but the engine will only be on on the Vale of Glamorgan line.
The Flirts Are Fantastic Greater Anglia TFW Merseyrail And Glasgow Subway Have Done a Good Job Introducing Them 👍
They really are. Hope to see more FLIRTs in future
been on them for a few weeks now from llanishen into cardiff central and penarth .. very nice ..
Bi-/tri-mode trains are a great solution to those silly moments when you get on a diesel train and travel most of your route under wires that are just begging to be used!
Absolutely, and the batteries help to reduce the up front cost where altering bridges would be costly. Not a perfect solution, but a good compromise.
@@Rail_Focus There's always a compromise in this country. The British are the best in the world and masters at finding ways to be able to spend less money on almost any project. Never go for the perfect solution where there's a compromise!
Massively disappointed they are not using FLIRTs on the route to Birmingham International. Not sure if the CAF units are bi-mode but given that the line between Wolverhampton and Birmingham International is electrified - and that TfWM would like to electrify between Crewe and Wolvo in future, the FLIRTs would be a great choice for this route.
CAF units are DMU only unfortunately. It would've been great if TfW operated FLIRTs on all routes as they have DMU versions and IPEMU versions for running between non electrified and electrified sections. But I imagine the FLIRTs are not cheap.
@@Rail_Focus Im actually a proponent of having a rail clean air zone in the TfWM boundary. Charging TOCs that use their diesel engines inside the boundary. ALL areas within the boundary should be electrifed to make this possible.
Key TOCs that should then convert to bi-mode would be Chiltern, XCountry, WMT/LNWR and TfW. Freight should be exempt though, but avoid the cities - no class 66 through New Street dor example.
5:07 was the grey thing above the flip-down seats something to do with bike straps? It doesn't look like it opens, but always worth poking around.
I did wonder about the grey thing, but didn't want to go messing around with things too much 😅
stadler builds great trains. very reliable
Very nice video.
They're definitely getting nicer trains now.
Thank so much 😀. These trains really are very nice, I'm sure passengers will love them.
5:07 I have used the same ones one so the class 231, you simply pull it out from it area and then place it on the LOWER part of the bicycle frame. Just be careful not to let go of them cause it is literally a slap of metal and will be straight out that window if it gain enough speed (with the mechanism that pulls it in I’m sure it would hit the window with enough velocity to smash it)
5:30 Are you old enough to remember when soft-close/open was considered a sign of quality on a cassette player or have you just learned about it on reviews of classic tech? Or maybe you've discovered this signature of good design separately. I was on one of those flip down seats on the London Underground S Stock, got up to get something out of my pocket and sat down again, only to not realize it had 'helpfully' flipped back up. I fell to the floor, spilled my coffee on myself and thought it was hilarious but what with it being London, nobody else noticed or if they did, they didn't say anything about it. Maybe if the flip up seats had brakes like these ones, my coffee, jeans and dignity would still be intact. Scratch that; the dignity departed me years ago.
I'm had plenty of cassette players in my youth, I'm just not used to seeing little touches like this use on a rail vehicle 😉
Slight bias, but a very good video and I am looking forward to seeing them introduced past my local station.
Thanks again for the clips. They really are great looking trains, and should transform travel in S Wales.
Nice video. Those seats look really hard and uncomfortable though.
They were quite hard, but had nice support and should be okay for less than an hour.
The Class 756 Tri-mode FLIRT does look really nice and quiet compare to the older diesel trains. Perhaps Stadler should continue on manufacturing more new FLIRT Bi-mode and Tri-mode rolling stocks that would be ideal to operate in Southwest England, North of England, Scotland, the East Midlands and London.
And maybe new Flirt trains for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. And Stadler to build a UK based train manufacturing plant to continue on their mass production of FLIRT and Metro rolling stocks. And new London Underground tube stocks to replace the existing tube stocks on the 1972 Stock used on the Bakerloo Line and 1992 Stock used on the Waterloo & City Line and Central Line.
Hopefully FLIRTs will become commonplace in the UK, they really are exceptional trains.
Siemens is building the new Underground stock, not Stadler
What's the battery range? It seems a bit strange to talk of batteries only being used to get through tunnels or under bridges or to power for a "short distance to the next station in the event of a power failure" when other battery trains claim 100Km real world range (and I think it was Stadler that set the record with over 200Km).
I believe the batteries will also be used in conjunction with the engine to provide additional power over the Vale of Glamorgan line. But the batteries will also be needed as there will be gaps in the electrification.
It depends on how big the batteries they put on are. Long range requires really large batteries
Both the Class 231 and Class 756 TfW FLIRTS are very nice that Stadler have built. And not forgetting the Class 398 City-link tram trains which are expected to enter service from mid 2024. I have been on Greater Anglia Class 745 and Class 755 and they are very nice trains.
Are these the same ones that are currently tipping over and falling off the tracks as they enter the sheds at Taffs Well? If they are, then a TFW Area Regional Manager told me that they may never enter service until the defects and tracks can guarantee security? Also, so much for TFW's statement of "cleaner travel" if their stock is intending to covertly use diesel!!!!!
I thank you for this video though, as you may have inside knowledge/contacts as to the afore mentioned predicament!
No these units aren't stabled at Taff's Well. The new depot is for the Class 398s.
@@Rail_Focus Thank you so much for your reply. Dave.
Due in passenger service 11th November
Moved back already 😬, I was told October
@@Rail_Focus when were you told that?
In August by someone from TfW
They have been in Wales over a year yet still haven't carried fare paying passengers
I may have got the entry into service a bit wrong, still waiting for electrification to be completed
Really?! No Welsh marches upgrades :(
Marches to remain unelectrified for now, signalling upgrades are due to take place so the new service from Liverpool to Cardiff can operate from December 2024. But services on the route will be operated by new Class 197s, or Mk4 loco hauled sets from Manchester.
@@Rail_Focus thank you. Do you know if Caerleon will still be getting a station?
Haven't heard anything about a new station, doesn't seem to be much online about it.
Utterly disgusting that there is new rolling stock and electrification of the commuter Cardiff lines whilst the main South Wales line remains diesel from Cardiff westwards. In addition to this the intercity travellers have to use old stock that is not much better than cattle trucks. Mid and N Wales are the same for those lucky to have any railways. TFW and the 'Welsh Government' are a joke sadly.
Agree the line should be electrified to Swansea but TfW is getting all new stock apart from the loco hauled sets, but they are great for passengers by all accounts.
@@Rail_Focus I think it should go right down to the Irish ferry ports. Plus the London and Manchester lines have to use a two rail track so express trains get held up by commuter traffic. I have a lot of first hand experience travelling Swansea to Manchester Piccadilly and the service is deteriorating. Along with the rolling stock. Sadly se have been promised new stock for years now.
Network Rail is not controlled by the Welsh Government. Personally I find it outrageous that WG are paying for upgrades to NR infrastructure to make up central government's decades long track record of non-investment.
The Stadler Flirts Are Fantastic 👍