Stadler tram trains enter service on South Wales Metro

23 June saw the first passenger-carrying run by 398 028, from Cardiff Queen Street to Cardiff Bay, returning to Pontypridd. Stadler Rail has delivered 36 three-section class 398 LRVs to Transport for Wales for use on the South Wales Metro (Metro De Cymru) network focussed on Cardiff. They have been carrying out trial and training runs from Taff’s Well depot for some months. The 40m x 2.65m high-floor three-section cars are equipped for operation under 25kV ac catenary and have battery packs to permit operation away from the overhead when future street-based operation takes place. each can carry up to 252 passengers (126 seated). They were built at the Stadler plant in Valencia, Spain, with delivery starting in March 2023. 

 

Scharfenberg couplers permit two cars to be coupled, which will be the normal mode of operation on the existing rail network around Cardiff. There has been some controversy surrounding the tram-trains they are not equipped with toilets, unlike the stock they are replacing on the Valley Lines. South Wales Metro has addressed this by installing additional station toilet facilities. 

 

South Wales Metro is building an 800m street based branch of the Cardiff Bay line to run direct to Callaghan Square, the southern entranced of Cardiff Central railway station, and they also plan to extend beyond Cardiff Bay on street alignment as part of the Cardiff Crossrail light rail scheme.