Wales welcomes its first bi-mode Class 769 FLEX
THE first converted bi-mode Class 769 FLEX for Transport for Wales arrived at Cardiff Canton depot on March 14.
The former Class 319 was taken to Pullman’s facility in the Welsh capital for completion of minor work, before training begins at the adjacent TfW depot. It was hauled from Brush Traction Loughborough (where it was converted) by Rail Operations Group 57312 Solway Princess.
Converted from 319002, the four-car unit is the first of nine to arrive. It had been hoped that they would enter traffic from May to boost capacity, but neither owner Porterbrook nor TfW are committing to a specific date until further testing is carried out.
The trains are fitted with two MAN D2876 engines (one under each driving vehicle), and retain their pantographs so that they can receive power from overhead line electrification which will be installed in the Cardiff area.
The introduction of the TfW FLEX Class 769s will boost capacity in the South Wales region and enable the operator to remove Class 142 and ‘143’ Pacers from traffic by the end of the year.
TfW’s initial batch of five trains includes 769003/006-008, with work under way on those four sets. The first unit from the second batch (769426, ex-319426) has moved to Loughborough for conversion. A further three sets will be fitted with diesel power for TfW.
Meanwhile, the introduction of eight FLEX units with Northern will now not happen in May. The delay is down to the need to train drivers, as well as carry out testing.
As this issue of RAIL went to press, neither of the two sets so far delivered to Allerton (769424/431) had ventured onto the main line under their own power. They are currently receiving tweaks to their bogies before running on the West Coast Main Line.
Porterbrook has confirmed that Class 769s will visit Wabtec’s Doncaster facility for bogie modifications. This was always the intention, according to the rolling stock leasing company. A further two pre-series FLEX trains (769434/456) are undergoing testing at the Great Central Railway, while the other four for Northern (769442/448/450/458) are in the final stages of conversion at Loughborough.
All have received modified interiors as per Northern’s Class 319 fleet, apart from the pre-series trains. These will need to visit Gemini Rail Services’ Wolverton Works for interior refurbishment.