Later this year (December is the current plan) South Wales will be the second location in the UK to introduce tram-trains. Although to start with they won’t be using the tram side of their abilities (that comes later when the first phase of Cardiff Crossrail is constructed – which could be by 2028) they are easily identifiable as tram-train vehicles, coming as they do from the same Citylink family as those operated on the South Yorkshire Supertram network.
Designated class 398, 36 of the vehicles are being built for Transport for Wales by Stadler Rail in Valencia, Spain. They are just one part of a major renewal of the rolling stock for services operated by Transport for Wales, other parts of which have already started to be used.
Some of the routes on which the tram-trains will be used are currently being operated by tri-mode class 756s. The diagrams which are planned to be operated by the tram-trains are currently being tested by these Stadler built FLIRT trains.
A large number of the tram-trains have now been delivered to South Wales where a new dedicated facility has been built at Taff’s Well. Any testing which has taken place so far has taken place overnight and this will presumably continue before daytime runs start ahead of their introduction into service later this year.
A view of the depot showing at least 14 of the tram-trains stabled.
Another look at the lines of class 398s at the depot. At least 398 00, 398 002, 398 008 398 010, 398 011, 398 012, 398 013, 398 014, 398 015 and 398 021 were identifiable.
A general view of the main workshop at the depot with the stabled class 398s on the left.
Soon to be replaced in South Wales, class 150 259 passes the site of the depot. (All Photographs by David Mee, 20th February 2025)
Lets hope the Welsh ones are better at avoiding road traffic than the Sheffield ones are. One of which collided with a lorry on opening day and another a few weeks later.
One serious question though… What are thge wheel profiles on the Welsh units, given that the Sheffield ones have to have their wheelsets changed to run on most of the tramway then swapped back to run on the railway?