TfW class 398 Stadler Citylink tram trains

[Signal_Box]

Testing has been cancelled for a few months now, there appears to be an issue according to magazines (modern rail) regards wheelsets.

 

[Lurcheroo]

Last night 3Q03 failed at Taffswell station with a total loss of battery power and had to be rescued by another unit from Taffswell depot.

 

[MikePJ]

There’s a feature on the Metro in RAIL this week (issue 1019). It quotes Colin Lea (TfW planning & performance director) as saying

“[398s] will enter service from summer next year [2025], initially on the Pontypridd to Cardiff Bay service”.

 

[CapitalStar378]

There’s a feature on the Metro in RAIL this week (issue 1019). It quotes Colin Lea (TfW planning & performance director) as saying

“[398s] will enter service from summer next year [2025], initially on the Pontypridd to Cardiff Bay service”.

Doesn't feel very ambitious, assume there are outstanding issues with the 398s and the depot that are causing the delay.

 

[MikePJ]

Doesn't feel very ambitious, assume there are outstanding issues with the 398s and the depot that are causing the delay.

The depot is definitely late, and is still not quite complete. Six months to do all the driver training before a limited introduction on a relatively non-critical service also seems prudent. One other thing is that in May 2025 the Bay line is supposed to transition to tramway-style line-of-sight operation as part of the Queen St resignalling, so I can see that the planners may want to have the tram-trains ready to take over once that signalling change is completed.

 

[Towers]

The depot is definitely late, and is still not quite complete. Six months to do all the driver training before a limited introduction on a relatively non-critical service also seems prudent. One other thing is that in May 2025 the Bay line is supposed to transition to tramway-style line-of-sight operation as part of the Queen St resignalling, so I can see that the planners may want to have the tram-trains ready to take over once that signalling change is completed.

Are there many/any signals on the Bay anyway, other than I presume a platform starter at Queen St?

 

[MikePJ]

Are there many/any signals on the Bay anyway, other than I presume a platform starter at Queen St?

It’s currently operated as a long siding - only one train on it at a time. There’s a signal just north of the new Butetown station that holds trains awaiting a route into Queen Street.

 

[AdamWW]

The depot is definitely late, and is still not quite complete. Six months to do all the driver training before a limited introduction on a relatively non-critical service also seems prudent. One other thing is that in May 2025 the Bay line is supposed to transition to tramway-style line-of-sight operation as part of the Queen St resignalling, so I can see that the planners may want to have the tram-trains ready to take over once that signalling change is completed.

If that means only trains that can operate on line of sight rules are allowed on after the change, even if it's just one at a time, then they will presumably need the 398s to be ready. Or of course just shut the line down until the trains are ready.

 

[MikePJ]

If that means only trains that can operate on line of sight rules are allowed on after the change, even if it's just one at a time, then they will presumably need the 398s to be ready. Or of course just shut the line down until the trains are ready.

I suspect it would be possible to postpone the rule change even after the new signalling is installed, or to provide some working instructions to the train crew of a conventional train as a transitional arrangement. The line-of-sight rules are intended for when the line is operated with more than one train at a time.

 

[MikePJ]

Update on 18th October - looks like 398 testing took place between Aberdare and Pontypridd in the small hours of yesterday (17th) morning:

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...000-2359?stp=WVS&show=non-passenger&order=wtt

There was also a test run in the early hours of this morning to Merthyr, which then shuttled back and forth to Abercynon. https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/se...000-2359?stp=WVS&show=non-passenger&order=wtt



[cross-post from the Metro Updates thread] - the depot connection at Taff's Well will have its signalling commissioned on 10th November, which will presumably make daylight testing of the 398s possible.

 

[Bob Price]

Testing continuing late at night, with trams running through Cardiff Central on a Pontypridd to Pontypridd loop. Paths also in for tonight. Way past my bedtime

 

[800001]

Does anyone have the must up to date list of 398s that have been delivered to Taffs Well? TIA

 

[EveningStarr]

May be of interest for some...
398018 being delivered on 30/10/24. Also the sea of tram-trains parked up. Taken on my phone camera, so couldn't get decent zoom images, sorry.

 

[TheEngineer]

Does anyone have the must up to date list of 398s that have been delivered to Taffs Well? TIA

I have seen them all there 001 to 021 inclusive except no 19 - this may have been inside possibly on my visits?

 

[norbitonflyer]

May be of interest for some...
..........the sea of tram-trains parked up.
View attachment 168663

Interesting picture - why do some of the units have yellow fairings below the windscreen and some grey?

 

[John R]

Interesting picture - why do some of the units have yellow fairings below the windscreen and some grey?

It's for passengers to know which end first class is...

 

[800001]

Interesting picture - why do some of the units have yellow fairings below the windscreen and some grey?

I was told it was something to do with when they are testing. Not sure what they meant by that, or why they need to be yellow when the 231/756 do not have yellow.

When they are delivered they are not yellow.

 

[Bob Price]

The lights fitted have been found to not be bright enough. They have yellow ends therefore while testing and lights will be changed before they enter service. So the ones with yellow ends have been out and tested.

 

[Peter Sarf]

The lights fitted have been found to not be bright enough. They have yellow ends therefore while testing and lights will be changed before they enter service. So the ones with yellow ends have been out and tested.

Ah well (head in hands). If slapping yellow paint on is easier than fitting a more powerful bulb, then might as well save a bit of money and energy by just leaving the yellow paint on. Bulbs fail - yellow paint is "simpler".

 

[Sterre]

I actually quite like the yellow

 

[Chris125]

Ah well (head in hands). If slapping yellow paint on is easier than fitting a more powerful bulb, then might as well save a bit of money and energy by just leaving the yellow paint on. Bulbs fail - yellow paint is "simpler".

Who cares, they're still in testing? If temporary it's probably just vinyl which is obviously far quicker and simpler than new lighting.

 

[Peter Sarf]

Who cares, they're still in testing? If temporary it's probably just vinyl which is obviously far quicker and simpler than new lighting.

Exactly - So just leave the vinyl on ?.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Ah well (head in hands). If slapping yellow paint on is easier than fitting a more powerful bulb, then might as well save a bit of money and energy by just leaving the yellow paint on. Bulbs fail - yellow paint is "simpler".

Maybe the yellow end is only acceptable in daylight? Or on certain sections of track (these things are eventually intended for street running)

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I do think they look smart. My three years living in Cathays for uni came to an end this year, and I'd have loved to have had these or 756s as my local units instead of the horrendous 150s.

 

[Chris125]

Exactly - So just leave the vinyl on ?.

Apologies, I assumed you were being sarcastic - aside from the yellow looking like an ugly bodge it's not unreasonable to expect new trains to meet the expected spec for something so relatively straightforward.

 

[dave6]

Hi
When I visited the depot a few months ago the only place to view was from the station footbridge as the road was under construction and blocked off.
I see from the recent photos posted that it is open but a 'nice' big wooden fence stops you looking thru the iron fencing.
Does this mean we still can only observe from the footbridge or are there some other places to see the units properly

 

[Peter Sarf]

Maybe the yellow end is only acceptable in daylight? Or on certain sections of track (these things are eventually intended for street running)

When you mentioned street running I realised a possibility is that the lights are not to UK road spec so would indeed HAVE to be changed/corrected. I dread to think but perhaps they currently are too bright or not capable of being dipped.

Apologies, I assumed you were being sarcastic - aside from the yellow looking like an ugly bodge it's not unreasonable to expect new trains to meet the expected spec for something so relatively straightforward.

Thats OK. Actually when you mention expected spec - that could mean TfW are are therefore not out of pocket if the lights need improving/changing.

Hi
When I visited the depot a few months ago the only place to view was from the station footbridge as the road was under construction and blocked off.
I see from the recent photos posted that it is open but a 'nice' big wooden fence stops you looking thru the iron fencing.
Does this mean we still can only observe from the footbridge or are there some other places to see the units properly

When I visited back in summer. I walked over the footbridge but the station entrance on the East (depot) side was closed/non-existent.

However.

If you leave the station from the Pontypridd bound platform, walk South West along a short road then (left) South East along a road (A4054) over the railway you will see a new left turning North making a road running back down to the depot along side the railway. That road goes all the way along the East side of the depot with the railway on the left. There is then a path following the side of the depot when the road peels away from the depot. That footpath rises up and goes over the big dual carriageway (A470) so gives a bit of a view of the East side of the depot.

 

[dave6]

When you mentioned street running I realised a possibility is that the lights are not to UK road spec so would indeed HAVE to be changed/corrected. I dread to think but perhaps they currently are too bright or not capable of being dipped.

Thats OK. Actually when you mention expected spec - that could mean TfW are are therefore not out of pocket if the lights need improving/changing.

When I visited back in summer. I walked over the footbridge but the station entrance on the East (depot) side was closed/non-existent.

However.

If you leave the station from the Pontypridd bound platform, walk South West along a short road then (left) South East along a road (A4054) over the railway you will see a new left turning North making a road running back down to the depot along side the railway. That road goes all the way along the East side of the depot with the railway on the left. There is then a path following the side of the depot when the road peels away from the depot. That footpath rises up and goes over the big dual carriageway (A470) so gives a bit of a view of the East side of the depot.

Many thanks for the detailed response

 

[SeaKing]

Viewed in Taff Wells yard at mid-day 03,08,09,10,11,12,15,16,17,18,20 & 21 All doors shut on Depot. Took 4 different vantage points to see that lot.

 

[chrisjo]

Viewed in Taff Wells yard at mid-day 03,08,09,10,11,12,15,16,17,18,20 & 21 All doors shut on Depot. Took 4 different vantage points to see that lot.

Don't say that, they'll just make the new wooden fence even higher.