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The Class 398 ''Citylink'' is a fleet of 36
tram-train
A tram-train is a type of light rail vehicle that meets the standards of a light rail system (usually an urban street running tramway), but which also meets national mainline standards permitting operation alongside mainline trains. This all ...
multiple units being built for Transport for Wales Rail
Transport for Wales Rail Limited, branded as Transport for Wales and TfW Rail ( and ), is a Welsh publicly owned train operating company, a subsidiary of Transport for Wales (TfW), a Welsh Government-owned company. It commenced operations of t ...
by Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler Rail.
The units will be equipped with traction battery packages, allowing them to operate over non-electrified sections of track in addition to those with overhead supplies.
History
The Wales & Borders rail franchise was awarded toKeolisAmey Wales
Keolis Amey Operations ( cy, Gweithrediadau KeolisAmey), Full legal name is bilingual including the Welsh name, as "Keolis Amey Operations / Gweithrediadau Keolis Amey Limited". trading as Transport for Wales Rail Services (TfW Rail Services) ...
in May 2018 and commenced on 14 October 2018. The franchise award included a requirement that the operator perform a full replacement of its fleets; as part of which process an order was placed with Stadler for delivery by 2023 of 36 tram-train units that would be capable of running on existing lines and also under battery power on the streets of Cardiff.
The first unit to arrive in the UK was 398001, delivered from the Valencia works to the Rail Innovation & Development Centre in Melton, Leicestershire for testing on the Old Dalby Test Track
The Old Dalby Test Track is a railway in the United Kingdom which is used for testing new designs of trains and railway infrastructure. It runs between Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and Edwalton, on the course of the Midland Railway's route betw ...
.
The first unit was delivered to Taff's Well depot on 21 March 2023. Entry into service is expected in 2024.
Operator
Transport for Wales
When built,Transport for Wales Rail
Transport for Wales Rail Limited, branded as Transport for Wales and TfW Rail ( and ), is a Welsh publicly owned train operating company, a subsidiary of Transport for Wales (TfW), a Welsh Government-owned company. It commenced operations of t ...
Class 398 units will operate services on the Rhondda
Rhondda , or the Rhondda Valley ( cy, Cwm Rhondda ), is a former coal mining, coalmining area in South Wales, historically in the county of Glamorgan. It takes its name from the River Rhondda, and embraces two valleys – the larger Rhondda Fa ...
, Merthyr
Merthyr Tydfil (; cy, Merthyr Tudful ) is the main town in Merthyr Tydfil County Borough, Wales, administered by Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council. It is about north of Cardiff. Often called just Merthyr, it is said to be named after Tydf ...
and Cardiff City lines, and the Cardiff Bay Branch.
Fleet details
See also
*British Rail Class 399
The British Rail Class 399 ''Citylink'' is a type of rail vehicle built by Vossloh on its Citylink platform for operation by Sheffield Supertram. While it is a low floor tram, it is also capable of being used upon the National Rail network; the ...
References
{{British Rail EMU, state=collapsed 398 Tram vehicles of the United Kingdom Light rail in the United Kingdom 25 kV AC multiple units Train-related introductions in 2024