British Rail Class 398
The Class 398 Citylink[5] is a fleet of 36 tram-train multiple units being built for Transport for Wales Rail by Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler Rail.
| British Rail Class 398 Citylink | |
|---|---|
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| Manufacturer | Stadler Rail |
| Assembly | Stadler Rail Valencia SAU |
| Built at | Valencia, Spain |
| Family name | Citylink |
| Replaced | |
| Constructed | 2020–present[1] |
| Number under construction | 36 |
| Formation | 3 cars per unit |
| Fleet numbers | 398001–398036 |
| Capacity | 252 (126 seated, 126 standing) |
| Operator(s) | Transport for Wales Rail |
| Depot(s) | Taff's Well[2] |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Stainless steel |
| Train length | 40.07 m (131 ft 6 in) |
| Width | 2.650 m (8 ft 8.3 in) |
| Floor height | 915 mm (36 in) at doors |
| Doors | Double-leaf sliding plug (1 per side per vehicle) |
| Wheel diameter | 740 mm (29 in) |
| Maximum speed | 62 mph (100 km/h) |
| Traction motors | 4 × TSA TMR 42-31-4, each of 150 kW (201 hp)[3] |
| Power output | 600 kW (805 hp) |
| Electric system(s) | 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead |
| Current collector(s) | Pantograph |
| UIC classification | Bo′2′2′Bo′ |
| Minimum turning radius | 25 m (82 ft) |
| Multiple working | Within class |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Notes/references | |
| Sourced from [4] except where otherwise noted. | |
The units will be equipped with traction battery packages, allowing them to operate over non-electrified sections of track in addition to those with 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead supplies.[1]
History
The Wales & Borders rail franchise operator at the time, KeolisAmey Wales, commenced on 14 October 2018. During the franchise period, the operator was to oversee a full fleet replacement,[6] with a batch of 36 brand new tram-trains set to join the fleet in 2023.[7]
Operators
Transport for Wales
When built, Transport for Wales Rail Class 398 units will operate services on the Rhondda, Merthyr and City lines, and the Cardiff Bay Branch.
Fleet details
| Class | Operator | Qty. | Year built | Cars | Unit nos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 398 | Transport for Wales Rail | 36 | 2020–pres. | 3 | 398001–398036 |
See also
References
- "Trains for Wales under construction". Rail Business UK. Sutton: DVV Media International. 2 December 2020. Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 7 December 2020.
- "Taff's Well metro depot construction started by Transport for Wales". Railway Technology. Verdict Media. 20 January 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
- "Stadler Rail Citylink for Keolis CVL Cardiff, Wales". Wiener Neudorf: Traktionssysteme Austria. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
- Citylink Tram Train, Transport for Wales (PDF). Bussnang: Stadler Rail Group. September 2022. CTTWB0922e. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 September 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
- Transport for Wales Rail [@tfwrail] (2 December 2019). "Our Metro tram-trains, which will run on the Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr lines from 2022, will be Class 398" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- "KeolisAmey reveal new-look Wales trains and services". BBC News. British Broadcasting Corporation. 4 June 2018. Retrieved 4 June 2018.
- Barry, Sion (4 June 2018). "How Wales' railways will be transformed with new stations, trains and jobs through investment worth billions". WalesOnline. Cardiff: Reach plc. Retrieved 30 September 2018.
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