Transport for Wales tests brand new electric tram-trains on Valleys lines
Brand-new electric tram-trains are now being tested on the recently electrified Valleys railway lines, as Transport for Wales (TfW) take another step forward with delivering the next phase of the South Wales Metro.
Part of an £800 million investment into brand-new trains across Wales and the Borders, the Stadler Class 398 CITYLINK tram-trains will revolutionise transport in south Wales.
With the ability to run on both rail and tram lines, they can operate on overhead electrical lines and battery power, and with three carriages can carry more than 250 passengers.
Over £1 billion has been invested into transforming rail infrastructure in South Wales, with the electrification of over 170 km of railway, including the Merthyr, Aberdare and Treherbert lines.
A £100 million brand-new purpose-built depot has also been constructed in Taff’s Well, serving as a control centre for the Metro and as the home for the 36 new tram-trains.
Upgrade
Marie Daly, Chief Operating Officer at Transport for Wales, said: “This is another major milestone for us at TfW. We’ve already introduced our brand-new Class 756 trains onto the Merthyr, Aberdare, and Treherbert lines to improve the experience for our passengers.
“We’re now excited to progress to the next phase of the project, testing our light rail tram-trains that will offer a turn-up-and-go service as part of the South Wales Metro.
“The introduction of our new Metro Class 756s and tram-trains is part of our £800 million investment into brand-new trains for Wales, alongside a billion pounds of infrastructure upgrades to improve the frequency and accessibility of services.
“By transforming our rail network, we aim to provide reliable, comfortable, and attractive public transport options for our customers.”
Training
Andrew Gazzard, Head of Operational Readiness at TfW said: “Our teams now need to gain familiarisation and handling experience of the trains, and we need to embark on driver training later in the year.
“It’s a really proud moment for me and the team to be able to see these tram-trains on the network and we look forward to the next stage in getting them prepared for passengers.”
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Well, that is something to be celebrated!
Very interesting video on work recently undertaken on Cambrian line. I have recently been using this line a lot so it is interesting to see how TfW are dealing with other areas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBd6IxFX_ow
This was the channels interview with the CEO of TfW at the Taffs Well depot regarding the Metro and their other lines.
Well the lazy self centred Welsh government and our local inefficent local counciks need voting out . Labour know the population in the South of Wales which blindly follow them will keep them in power .when I returned to Wales after gettingvfed up with the SNP in Scotkand , I never reakised I was movibg to a 3rd world country we have no buses no train service and riads full of pot holes Fermers who deposit mud on the roads with no signs and when reported to tge council they say not their responsibiity . Eventually I nanaged to Get… Read more »
Most people check out the services like buses and trains before they move.
“Over £1 billion has been invested into transforming rail infrastructure in South Wales…” Err… Surely you mean the Cardiff Metro area? And what about the rest of rural Wales? No trains for a couple of weeks on the Heart of Wales; weeks without trains on the Cambrian, new lifts that break down at Newtown and so on; and new first class menus on the Cardiff-Manchester route (advertised outside Waitrose in Abergavenny – I wonder why?) on trains that regularly break down… And the appointment on April 1st (a joke?) of a COO who was formerly TfW’s Chief Customer and Culture… Read more »
Very few live in Cynghordy nice as it is. Outside of the the Metro, TfW and the Senedd have to get Network Rail to invest in the track, signalling etc as they currently own it. There is not a great record in persuading Network Rail, the Treasury or Westminster to invest in Welsh Railways, just see how they back-tracked on electrifying the Cardiff to Swansea mainline or the North Wales Coast mainline.
Fantastic news for South Wales. ✅