British Rail Class 398

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
Promotional rendering of a Class 398 unit in TfW Rail livery
In serviceExpected in 2024[1]
ManufacturerStadler Rail
AssemblyStadler Rail Valencia SAU
Built atValencia, Spain
Family nameCitylink
Replaced
Constructed2020–present[2]
Number under construction36
Formation3 cars per unit
Fleet numbers398001–398036
Capacity252
(126 seated, 126 standing)
Owner(s)SMBC Leasing[3]
Operator(s)Transport for Wales Rail
Depot(s)Taff's Well[4]
Specifications
Car body constructionStainless steel
Train length40.07 m (131 ft 6 in)
Width2.650 m (8 ft 8.3 in)
Floor height915 mm (36 in) at doors
DoorsDouble-leaf sliding plug
(1 per side per vehicle)
Wheel diameter740 mm (29 in)
Maximum speed62 mph (100 km/h)
Traction motors4 × TSA TMR 42-31-4,
each of 150 kW (201 hp)[5]
Power output600 kW (805 hp)
Electric system(s)25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead
Current collector(s)Pantograph
UIC classificationBo′2′2′Bo′
Minimum turning radius25 m (82 ft)
Multiple workingWithin class
Track gauge4 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

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]

The first unit to arrive in the UK was 398001, delivered from the Valencia works to the Rail Innovation & Development Centre in Melton, Leicestershire[11] for testing on the Old Dalby Test Track.

The first unit was delivered to Taff's Well depot on 21 March 2023. Entry into service is expected in 2024.[1]

Operator

Transport for Wales

When built, Transport for Wales Rail Class 398 units will operate services on the Rhondda, Merthyr and Cardiff City lines,[1] and the Cardiff Bay Branch.

Class 398 at Taffs Well Metro Control Centre

Fleet details
Class Operator Qty. Year built Cars Unit nos.
398 Transport for Wales Rail 36 2020–pres. 3 398001–398036

See also

References
  1. "South Wales Metro tram-train delivered as route blockade announced". Rail Business UK. Sutton: DVV Media International. 22 March 2023. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  2. "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.
  3. "Time to take stock as the 'bubble' bursts…". Rail Magazine. No. 989. 9 August 2023. pp. 42–47.
  4. "Taff's Well metro depot construction started by Transport for Wales". Railway Technology. Verdict Media. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  5. "Stadler Rail Citylink for Keolis CVL Cardiff, Wales". Wiener Neudorf: Traktionssysteme Austria. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. "Wales' rail and Metro franchise to be run by KeolisAmey". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 23 May 2018. Retrieved 23 March 2023.
  9. "KeolisAmey reveal new-look Wales trains and services". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
  10. 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.
  11. "First Class 398 Tram-Train For TfW In Britain". Rail Volution. Rail Volution. 16 May 2022. Retrieved 1 June 2023.
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