UK: Construction of the future South Wales Metro train fleet is underway, with Transport for Wales reporting that Stadler has made significant progress with the 36 three-car Class 398 Citylink tram-trains ordered in 2018 for use on services from Cardiff to Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil.
These will be equipped to operate on 25 kV 50 Hz and battery power, enabling discontinuous electrification to be implemented on parts of the network.
Stadler has also begun work on the 35 Class 231 Flirt multiple-units it is to supply for services in South Wales, with final assembly to get underway shortly. The order includes 11 electric multiple-units for 25 kV 50 Hz operation and 24 trimode diesel, battery and electric units.
Meanwhile CAF’s factory near Newport is working on the production of 51 two-car and 26 three-car Class 197 Civity diesel multiple-units to operate other Wales & Borders routes.
‘I am delighted our partners at CAF and Stadler have been able to progress with assembly despite the challenging situation we find ourselves in’, said TfW CEO James Price on December 1. ‘These faster, more efficient trains are fundamental to improving journey times, service frequency and our sustainability goals.’
Price said Covid-19 would ‘continue to present challenges, but we’ve been able to move forward and we’ve now seen huge progress on our trains, at our Taff’s Well Depot as well as successful delivery of track transformation work on the Aberdare line.’
Testing of the Class 769 electro-diesel multiple-units modified from Class 319 EMUs is underway on the Cardiff – Rhymney line, with the first having carried passengers on November 16. Introduction of the units into regular all-day service is expected during December.
