TRANSPORT for Wales (TfW) has begun testing its class 398 Stadler Citylink tram-trains on the recently-electrified 170km Valley Lines radiating from Cardiff to Merthyr Tydfil, Aberdare and Treherbert.
A £100m purpose-built depot has been constructed in Taff’s Well, serving as a control centre for the South Wales Metro (SWM) and home for the 36 new tram-trains, which will operate on battery power on non-electrified sections.
The three-section vehicles are 40m long and 2650mm wide. They have 126 seats and capacity for 252 passengers, and will operate at a top speed of 100km/h.
The upgrade of the Core Valley Lines (CVL) to form the SWM network has included track doubling, installing new passing loops, upgrading all 52 stations and the construction of two new stations.
Stadler was awarded the contract to supply the class 398s as part of a larger deal to supply 71 trains for TfW services. It is building the class 398 at its Albuixech plant near Valencia in Spain.
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