Transport for Wales are continuing their slow but steady process of putting the new class 398 tram-trains into service with a total of 11 of the 36 strong class having now been used in passenger service.
Since we last updated things on these units 398 018, 398 021, 398 023 and 398 025 have all been used on at least one occasion. They have joined 398 017, 398 022, 398 024, 398 028, 398 029, 398 030 and 398 031 as the on the fully commissioned list.
Other units are also continuing to be used on test runs whilst there are three units which don’t seem to have been delivered to the purpose built depot at Taff’s Well – 398 032, 398 035 and 398 036.
The tram-trains have been built by Stadler in Valencia, Spain and whilst they are currently being used in service as conventional trains. The tram part for which they have been partly ordered is the first stage of the Cardiff Metro route which will run between Cardiff Bay and Cardiff Central on an as yet to be constructed street tramway. Last updates on that were that it would be 2028 that would be ready for use – but as work hasn’t really commenced on that whether that is achievable remains to be seen.
The units which are being used are mainly being allocated to service on the Cardiff Bay-Pontypridd route (which includes some shorter shuttles).
398 018 was one of three class 398s in service on a short visit to Taff’s Well and is seen here with one of the class 756 tri-mode units also part of the major investment in rolling stock by Transport for Wales.
As well as three being in service a further two were out on test including 398 026. This unit has yet to be used in service.
398 017 in service.
And the third of the tram-trains in service during this visit was 398 031.
In this view we see 398 022 on another test run. (All Photographs by Dave Cook, 9th September 2026)