British Rail Class 398
Electric multiple unit train in South Wales
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Class 398 Citylink[11] is a fleet of 36 tram-train multiple units built for Transport for Wales Rail by Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler Rail.
| British Rail Class 398 Citylink | |
|---|---|
Class 398 at Cardiff Bay in 2026 | |
 Class 398 interior | |
| In service | 23 June 2026–present[1] |
| Manufacturer | Stadler Rail |
| Assembly | Stadler Rail Valencia SAU |
| Built at | Valencia, Spain |
| Family name | Citylink |
| Replaced | |
| Constructed | 2020–2023[2][3] |
| Number built | 36 |
| Formation | 3 cars per unit |
| Fleet numbers | 398001–398036 |
| Capacity | 252 (126 seated, 126 standing) |
| Owners | SMBC Leasing[4] and Equitix[5] |
| Operator | Transport for Wales Rail |
| Depot | Taffs Well[6] |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Stainless steel |
| Train length | 40.07 m (131 ft 6 in) |
| Width | 2.650 m (8 ft 8.3 in) |
| Height | 3.865 m (12 ft 8.2 in)[7] |
| 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 | 60 mph (train mode)[7] 45 mph (tram mode)[7] |
| Weight | 73.22 tonnes[7] |
| Traction motors | 4 × TSA TMR 42-31-4, each of 150 kW (201 hp)[8] |
| Power output | 600 kW (805 hp) |
| Electric system | 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead |
| Current collection | Pantograph |
| UIC classification | Bo′+2′2′+Bo′ |
| Minimum turning radius | 25 m (82 ft) |
| Coupling system | Scharfenberg Type 330[7] |
| Multiple working | Within class |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Notes/references | |
| Sourced from [9][10] except where otherwise noted. | |
The units are 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.[2][12]
History
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The Wales & Borders rail franchise was awarded to KeolisAmey Wales in May 2018 and commenced on 14 October 2018.[13] The franchise award included a requirement that the operator perform a full replacement of its fleets;[14] as part of which process an order was placed with Stadler for delivery by 2023 of 36 tram-train units that would be capable of running on existing lines and also under battery power on the streets of Cardiff.[15]
All units are three-car and are able to be coupled together to form a six-car train. Each unit has a maximum passenger capacity of 256, and the units have level boarding, as well as space for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bicycles. All seats have access to three-pin AC and USB-A DC power sockets.[16][17]
The first unit to arrive in the UK was 398001 in May 2022, delivered from the Valencia works to the Rail Innovation & Development Centre in Melton, Leicestershire[18] for testing on the Old Dalby Test Track.
The first unit was delivered to Taffs Well depot on 21 March 2023.[19]
The first unit entered service on 23 June 2026, on services to Pontypridd and on the Cardiff Bay branch.[1]
Operator
Transport for Wales Rail Class 398 units will operate services on the Rhondda, Merthyr and Cardiff City lines,[19] and the Cardiff Bay Branch.
Fleet details
| Class | Operator | Qty. | Year built | Cars | Unit nos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 398 | Transport for Wales Rail | 36 | 2020–2023[2][20] | 3 | 398001–398036 |
Illustration
Named unit
Unit 398028 is named Myddfai.[21]
See also
- British Rail Class 399, related Vossloh Citylink tram-trains built in the mid-2010s for Sheffield Supertram
