The Class 398 Citylink[7] is a fleet of 36 tram-train multiple units being built for Transport for Wales Rail by Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler Rail.
| British Rail Class 398 Citylink | |
|---|---|
 Class 398 at Taffs Well Metro Control Centre | |
| In service | Expected in late 2024[1] |
| Manufacturer | Stadler Rail |
| Assembly | Stadler Rail Valencia SAU |
| Built at | Valencia, Spain |
| Family name | Citylink |
| Replaced | |
| Constructed | 2020–present[2] |
| Number under construction | 36 |
| Formation | 3 cars per unit |
| Fleet numbers | 398001–398036 |
| Capacity | 252 (126 seated, 126 standing) |
| Owners | SMBC Leasing[3] |
| Operators | Transport for Wales Rail |
| Depots | Taff's Well[4] |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Stainless steel |
| Train length | 40.07 m (131 ft 6 in) |
| Width | 2.650 m (8 ft 8.3 in) |
| Floor height | 915 mm (36 in) at doors |
| Doors | Double-leaf sliding plug (1 per side per vehicle) |
| Wheel diameter | 740 mm (29 in) |
| Maximum speed | 62 mph (100 km/h) |
| Traction motors | 4 × TSA TMR 42-31-4, each of 150 kW (201 hp)[5] |
| Power output | 600 kW (805 hp) |
| Electric system(s) | 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead |
| Current collector(s) | Pantograph |
| UIC classification | Bo′2′2′Bo′ |
| Minimum turning radius | 25 m (82 ft) |
| Multiple working | Within class |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Notes/references | |
| Sourced from [6] except where otherwise noted. | |
The units will be equipped with traction battery packages, allowing them to operate over non-electrified sections of track in addition to those with 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead supplies.[2]
History edit
The Wales & Borders rail franchise was awarded to KeolisAmey Wales in May 2018 and commenced on 14 October 2018.[8] The franchise award included a requirement that the operator perform a full replacement of its fleets;[9] 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.[10]
All units are three cars and are able to be coupled together to form a six car unit. Each three car unit has a maximum passenger capacity of 256, units will have level boarding, space for bikes, wheelchairs and pushchairs. All seats will have access to plug and USB-A style sockets.[11][12]
The first unit to arrive in the UK was 398001, delivered from the Valencia works to the Rail Innovation & Development Centre in Melton, Leicestershire[13] for testing on the Old Dalby Test Track.
The first unit was delivered to Taff's Well depot on 21 March 2023.[14] Entry into service is expected in late 2024.[1]
Operator edit
Transport for Wales edit
When built, Transport for Wales Rail Class 398 units will operate services on the Rhondda, Merthyr and Cardiff City lines,[14] and the Cardiff Bay Branch.
Fleet details edit
| Class | Operator | Qty. | Year built | Cars | Unit nos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 398 | Transport for Wales Rail | 36 | 2020–pres. | 3 | 398001–398036 |
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b "Late 2024 service introduction for class 398s expected". Today's Railways UK. No. 264. February 2024. p. 61.
- ^ a b "Trains for Wales under construction". Rail Business UK. Sutton: DVV Media International. 2 December 2020. Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
- ^ "Time to take stock as the 'bubble' bursts…". Rail Magazine. No. 989. 9 August 2023. pp. 42–47.
- ^ "Taff's Well metro depot construction started by Transport for Wales". Railway Technology. Verdict Media. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
- ^ "Stadler Rail Citylink for Keolis CVL Cardiff, Wales". Wiener Neudorf: Traktionssysteme Austria. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
- ^ Citylink Tram Train, Transport for Wales (PDF). Bussnang: Stadler Rail Group. September 2022. CTTWB0922e. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
- ^ Transport for Wales Rail [@tfwrail] (2 December 2019). "Our Metro tram-trains, which will run on the Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr lines from 2022, will be Class 398" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Wales' rail and Metro franchise to be run by KeolisAmey". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
- ^ "KeolisAmey reveal new-look Wales trains and services". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
- ^ Barry, Sion (4 June 2018). "How Wales' railways will be transformed with new stations, trains and jobs through investment worth billions". WalesOnline. Cardiff: Reach plc. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
- ^ Wilcok, Rich. "Revolutionary TfW South Wales Metro tram-train enters testing phase". RTM. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
- ^ "Our New Trains". Transport for Wales. Retrieved 15 December 2023.
- ^ "First Class 398 Tram-Train For TfW In Britain". Rail Volution. Rail Volution. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
- ^ a b "South Wales Metro tram-train delivered as route blockade announced". Railway Gazette Intentional. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.