Class 230 units training/introduction on the Borderlands line: updates

[Bob Price]

Not sure if the move will happen. The path is in the timetable but not activated yet. However it's a 1436 departure so we will see.

 

[DavidGrain]

Activated 1236 but I think that is an automatic 2 hour before schedule activation.

 

[arfortune]

It appears another Class 230 will be delivered today: https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/K04003/2020-08-06/detailed FRGT 1436 Long Marston to Wrexham General

The trains aren't being delivered yet - this is still testing by Vivarail prior to handover and acceptance.

 

[Bob Price]

Move has been cancelled anyway.

 

[TheSel]

The trains aren't being delivered yet - this is still testing by Vivarail prior to handover and acceptance.

Move has been cancelled anyway.

Perhaps Vivarail are testing they can reserve and cancel paths?

 

[Bob Price]

Interesting that there are no paths out of Long Maston at all this week for testing. I would have thought they would be looking to push on with 008 at least

Still ROG paths in for 006 on the Borderlands though.

 

[6Gtraincrew]

Probably won't happen, but there is another delivery path in for Thursday...

Realtime Trains - 552U 1445 Long Marston to Wrexham General

Realtime Trains provides live realtime running information for the Great British railway network using open data.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[Bob Price]

And a few test paths both local and to Stourbridge have appeared for today. Let's see if any get used.

 

[Bob Price]

Delivery path has been activated. Let's see what happens come three o'clock

 

[Bob Price]

Answer, it's on its way. Looks like 007 is on a mission

 

[DavidGrain]

I see it is off to Birkenhead tomorrow. 006 went there the other day so whatever the problems were, it looks as if they have been resolved.

 

[Ted172]

Delivery path has been activated. Let's see what happens come three o'clock

I saw 230 007 this afternoon at Malvern Wells, looks very cool!

 

[yorkie]

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Update: some posts have been moved here: https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/class-230-unit-photos-videos.207883/#post-4720113

 

[Bob Price]

Looks like 008 is out on localised testing today. 531X headcode just reported at Honeyborne junction heading for Evesham.

 

[PHILIPE]

Just as a point of interest and following a 150 failure, 2F74 1948 Wrexham to Bidston and return tonight is being worked by 153320 + 153326

 

[Bob Price]

Logical. They are not using the 153 pairs on the Chester- Crewe shuttle this week. The 230 testing is continuing on the line according to the listings. I wonder if they are just using 006 or if 007 has had a run yet?

 

[PHILIPE]

Logical. They are not using the 153 pairs on the Chester- Crewe shuttle this week. The 230 testing is continuing on the line according to the listings. I wonder if they are just using 006 or if 007 has had a run yet?

The significance of my post is the fact that 153s, some single and some pairs, were the regular traction on the route until 2006 when they were replaced by 150s due to poor performance especially struggling up Hawarden bank. It was planned to bring them back last year in a redeployment plan by TFW to enable 150s to work in the South and 153s in the north but the local group, mindful of the past record, kicked up and the 150s were retained. Their use tonight was entirely due to a 150 failure.

 

[Eccles1983]

The significance of my post is the fact that 153s, some single and some pairs, were the regular traction on the route until 2006 when they were replaced by 150s due to poor performance especially struggling up Hawarden bank. It was planned to bring them back last year in a redeployment plan by TFW to enable 150s to work in the South and 153s in the north but the local group, mindful of the past record, kicked up and the 150s were retained. Their use tonight was entirely due to a 150 failure.

The local group had nothing to do with the decision.

It was down to being able to keep to timings - a double 153 cannot do it. If it could it would be booked traction.

 

[Wyrleybart]

Logical. They are not using the 153 pairs on the Chester- Crewe shuttle this week. The 230 testing is continuing on the line according to the listings. I wonder if they are just using 006 or if 007 has had a run yet?

I guess they will need to use at least two at some point to give the drivers practical experience of coupling two together, even if for night time trips to the depot for fuelling and CET.
Wonder what the fuel consumption rate is like on them.

 

[071]

This afternoon I spotted one of the 230s running South on the Chester-Wrexham (and ultimately Shrewsbury) line at Rossett. Would have been just before 14:00. I was driving on the adjacent A483 and didn't get the unit number. Very surprised to see it operating on this stretch. Looked very smart, I was impressed. I think this was listed as 555Z and appears to have reversed at Wrexham General and headed on to Bidston.

 

[PHILIPE]

This afternoon I spotted one of the 230s running South on the Chester-Wrexham (and ultimately Shrewsbury) line at Rossett. Would have been just before 14:00. I was driving on the adjacent A483 and didn't get the unit number. Very surprised to see it operating on this stretch. Looked very smart, I was impressed. I think this was listed as 555Z and appears to have reversed at Wrexham General and headed on to Bidston.

A trip to Chester Depot for fuel. That is where they will be going for the present for some jungle juice

 

[071]

Of course! Thank you, I wasn't thinking about fuelling.

 

[yorkie]

Just a gentle reminder this thread is for updates regarding the introduction of Class 230 units on the Bidston-Wrexham line.

Some posts have been split into:

• What are the rules regarding low backed seating?
• Should Class 230 units have fewer doors?

 

[Bob Price]

008 has been out this morning. No testing on the Bidston line. Guess there is no hurry.

 

[DavidGrain]

008 has been out this morning. No testing on the Bidston line. Guess there is no hurry.

Only a singe trip to Evesham which suggests to me that they are not ready for a full day test.

 

[Bob Price]

Only a singe trip to Evesham which suggests to me that they are not ready for a full day test.

It's been backwards and forwards all day. Nearly every trip was early. Could see longer runs soon.

Looking at the Wrexham Bidston testing, it seems to be going OK. If they were ready is it likely they would run a unit with a 150 as backup or are they more likely to do a 'big bang' approach?

 

[sdrennan]

008 has been out this morning. No testing on the Bidston line. Guess there is no hurry.

Only scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday this week according to RealTimeTrains site.
Also they don't seem to be worrying about their timetable
Arrived late from Depot but started first trip 30 minutes early

 

[59CosG95]

The ORR have authorised 230006, 230007 & 230008 (along with 230002) for entry into service. https://www.orr.gov.uk/sites/defaul...thorisation-vivarail-class-230-2020-08-27.pdf

 

[Bob Price]

Wow. Off for driver training then. How long before they start using them I wonder?

 

[anthony263]

Wonder where 230002 is going then or it also goi g to tfw.