Two new fleets destined for Transport for Wales (TfW) will be officially unveiled at InnoTrans, Berlin, on 22 September.
One of the 36 Citylink vehicles ordered by TfW will be displayed. The Class 398 is a tram-train that can operate on both train and main line networks. The TfW Class 398 is also equipped with a battery for the first time, enabling use on non-electrified lines and therefore underscores Stadler’s strong environmental credentials and commitment to decarbonisation.
Stadler said that the three-car Class 398s are modular, barrier-free light rail vehicles designed to connect city centres with outlying areas. They will operate on the South Wales Metro lines.
The tram-trains can run purely electrically on both AC 25kV electrified lines and non-electrified lines.
They have a driver’s cab at each end and can reach speeds of 62mph (100km/h). Each Class 398 is 40 metres long and can carry 252 passengers. Passenger compartments are spacious, bright and air-conditioned, and there are multifunctional areas for bicycles, seats for people with reduced mobility, as well as two wheelchair passenger spaces.
Dynamic testing is currently taking place at Network Rail’s Rail Innovation and Development Centre (RIDC) in Melton Mowbray. TfW plans to introduce the first Class 398s into passenger service next year.
Ralf Warwel, sales director for the UK and Ireland at Stadler, says: “The Citylink boasts enviable environmental credentials and will bring about a step-change in passenger travel. It illustrates Stadler’s pledge to provide ever greener solutions, supporting the decarbonisation of the railway, both in Wales and beyond.”
Alexia Course, TfW chief commercial officer says: “We’re extremely proud to have our new Stadler trains on show at InnoTrans this year and we’re excited to start introducing them to our Wales and Borders network over the coming months and years. We’re on a transformational journey at Transport for Wales and these new trains are a key part of improving the customer experience, so that we can encourage more people to travel sustainably on public transport. These are modern trains, with high quality features that will offer our customers more accessible, reliable and greener transport.”
Meanwhile, a tri-mode Class 756 destined for TfW will also be officially unveiled on 22 September.
Strong environmental credentials and the use of battery power characterise the Flirt Class 756 tri-mode, which is the other TfW train unveiled at InnoTrans.
The trains will operate on the Welsh Valley lines and are part of the contract signed by Stadler and TfW in January 2019, comprising 35 FLIRT trains in total and 36 Citylink Class 398 tram-trains. Twenty-four of the Class 756s will be tri-modes, capable of running on lines with overhead electric wires as well as with battery power and diesel. The use of batteries on the tri-modes will enable a fully electric service north of Cardiff, known as “smart electrification”, to prevent costly infrastructure upgrades for the client. Seven three-car Class 756/0 and 17 four-car Class 756/1s will make up the tri-mode fleet; the remaining 11 Class 231/0 Flirts are diesel powered. These trains have already been delivered to Wales and are undergoing testing and commissioning.
Seats on the Flirts have been ergonomically designed to maximise passenger comfort and each one will be fitted with power sockets said Stadler. All trains feature air-conditioning, areas for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bicycles, and wide passenger information screens, displaying up-to-the-minute travel information. Noise and vibrations will be kept to a minimum, with the new trains quieter than the current fleet. Low flooring at every door will reduce dwell time and make it easier for passengers to get on and off. There will be space for up to six bikes on each train.
The first Class 231s will enter traffic later this year, with authorisation for their introduction received from the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) earlier this summer.
Ralf Warwel, sales director for the UK and Ireland at Stadler, said: “This train boasts compelling environmental credentials and will bring about a step-change in passenger travel.”
