British Rail Class 756
Tri-mode multiple-unit passenger train
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The British Rail Class 756 FLIRT[8] is a class of tri-mode multiple units built for Transport for Wales Rail by Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler Rail. They are closely related to the Class 755 bi-mode units delivered by Stadler to Greater Anglia between 2018 and 2020, which can be powered either by overhead electric lines or on-board diesel generators. The Class 756 units also carry batteries as an additional source of traction power.[9]
| British Rail Class 756 FLIRT | |
|---|---|
Class 756 unit at Aberdare in November 2024 | |
 Interior of a Class 756 unit | |
| In service | 15 November 2024-Present[1] |
| Manufacturer | Stadler Rail |
| Assembly | Stadler Bussnang AG |
| Built at | Bussnang, Switzerland[2] |
| Family name | FLIRT |
| Replaced | |
| Constructed | 2021–2023[3] |
| Number built | 24[1] (7 × 756/0, 17 × 756/1) |
| Formation | |
| Fleet numbers |
|
| Capacity |
|
| Owners | SMBC Leasing[4] and Equitix[5] |
| Operator | Transport for Wales Rail |
| Depot | Canton (Cardiff) |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Aluminium |
| Train length |
|
| Width |
|
| Height | 3.915 m (12 ft 10.1 in) |
| Floor height | 960 mm (3 ft 2 in) |
| Doors | Double-leaf sliding plug, each 1.300 m (4 ft 3.2 in) wide (total 5 per side per 3-car, 7 per side per 4-car) |
| Wheel diameter |
|
| Wheelbase | Bogies: 2.700 m (8 ft 10.3 in) |
| Maximum speed | 75 mph (121 km/h) |
| Traction system | IGBT |
| Power output |
|
| Tractive effort | Maximum starting: 200 kN (45,000 lbf) |
| Acceleration | Maximum starting: 1.1 m/s2 (2.5 mph/s) |
| Electric system | 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead |
| Current collection | Pantograph |
| UIC classification |
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| Safety systems | |
| Multiple working | Within class (max. 2 units) |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
| Notes/references | |
| Sourced from [7] unless otherwise noted. | |
A total of 24 units were built, split between 7 three-car units and 17 four-car units.[1]
History
The Wales & Borders rail franchise, awarded to KeolisAmey Wales with effect from 14 October 2018, included a commitment requiring that the operator oversee a full fleet replacement during the franchise period.[10] As part of this process, KeolisAmey placed an order with Stadler in February 2019 for the 24 FLIRT tri-mode units that came to be designated Class 756. The tri-mode capabilities are intended to facilitate operations over lines that have only been partially electrified. Production of the fleet was underway by mid-2021.[2]
The Class 756 officially entered service on 18 November 2024, and for consecutive days,[11] after initially entering service on one previous day of 15 November 2024.[1]
Operators
Transport for Wales
Transport for Wales Rail Class 756 units currently operate services between Cardiff-Merthyr Tydfil, Cardiff-Aberdare and Cardiff-Treherbert.[1]
It is expected that the Class 756 units will move across to the Rhymney Line from late 2025 as the Class 398 tram-trains enter service.[12]
Technical details
Class 756 units have three or four passenger vehicles, along with a separate "Power Pack" vehicle near the centre of the unit that contains a diesel generator set and three battery modules.[13] The diesel generator produces 480 kW (640 hp), while the batteries are capable of supplying up to 1,300 kW (1,700 hp).[7] All vehicles are linked by unpowered Jacobs bogies, while the outermost bogie at each end of each unit carries the traction motors.[7]
The batteries use lithium-titanium-oxide chemistry, with the capacity of 447 kWh for 3-car units and 559 kWh for 4-car units.[14]
Fleet details
| Subclass | Operator | Qty. | Year built | Passenger cars | Unit nos.[3] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 756/0 | Transport for Wales Rail | 7 | 2021–2023 | 3 | 756001–756007 |
| 756/1 | 17 | 4 | 756101–756117 |
Illustration
See also
- British Rail Class 231 – A diesel multiple unit variant of the Stadler FLIRT UK platform also built for Transport for Wales Rail
- British Rail Class 745 – An electric multiple unit variant of the Stadler FLIRT UK platform built for Greater Anglia
- British Rail Class 755 – A bi-mode multiple unit variant of the Stadler FLIRT UK platform built for Greater Anglia
Notes
- The Power Pack is technically a fourth or fifth vehicle in these units, but as it contains no passenger accommodation it is excluded from the count of passenger cars.
