TfW class 398 Stadler Citylink tram trains

[Coleridge]

028 is in service this morning, and there's a 150 parked up in the bay platform at Pontypridd which will presumably take over operations in the afternoon.

022 and 030 are the units out on test.

There was a claim made a few pages back in this thread (post 2028 onwards) that the 398s have clocked up 5,000 miles of trouble-free running, and some discussion over whether this was actually the case or was a requirement that hadn't yet been achieved.

Can we assume from your post that unit 028 has achieved that milestone, and the other two haven't yet?

Does a fault on a unit reset the "trouble-free running" counter to zero? Or is it cumulative between faults (which I find difficult to get my head around)?

 

[chargesmith]

There was a claim made a few pages back in this thread (post 2028 onwards) that the 398s have clocked up 5,000 miles of trouble-free running, and some discussion over whether this was actually the case or was a requirement that hadn't yet been achieved.

Can we assume from your post that unit 028 has achieved that milestone, and the other two haven't yet?

Does a fault on a unit reset the "trouble-free running" counter to zero? Or is it cumulative between faults (which I find difficult to get my head around)?

I honestly don't know. The claim that a dozen units have done 5000 trouble free miles came from a Rail magazine article but there was some ambiguity from poor wording in the article.

All we know for sure is that 4 units have been out in public service and around 12 (including those 4) have been out on test in recent weeks.

The reset claim always felt odd to me but I'm not an industry insider so I don't know what the exact process is.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Jul 2026 ==

The units that have been in public service are:

028
031
024
022

 

[The exile]

In comparison, Cardiff Bus has introduced new buses on the Penarth route with bigger windows than the trains and seats that are more comfortable and offer more legroom. And they're more frequent than the train. The bus is always my first choice unless I'm travelling beyond Cardiff.

Until they sign advertising contracts that include whole-body ads, of course!

 

[Bornin1980s]

I quite like 398.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Jul 2026 ==

This amused me - seeing a 398 (in passenger service!) on the bridge over Newport Road that still advertises Valley Lines, two "franchises" back (or maybe three depending on how you count.
The trains do indeed still get you to the heart of Cardiff, and somewhat more frequently too.
The web site at www.valleylines.co.uk no longer seems to be there though.

View attachment 207187

On battery power?

 

[AdamWW]

On battery power?

On battery power indeed. Just like the 756s have been doing for quite some time now.

 

[35B]

I honestly don't know. The claim that a dozen units have done 5000 trouble free miles came from a Rail magazine article but there was some ambiguity from poor wording in the article.

All we know for sure is that 4 units have been out in public service and around 12 (including those 4) have been out on test in recent weeks.

The reset claim always felt odd to me but I'm not an industry insider so I don't know what the exact process is.

The requirement for fault free running is generally about customer acceptance from the supplier. If a customer uses something before its passed an acceptance test, suppliers tend to treat that as acceptance under the contract. Given that, I assume that the units that have worked are accepted for use, and have completed whatever’s required to get that tick in the box.

Precisely what form the acceptance testing takes I’ve no idea, but the rule of thumb seems to be that the train has to complete the required mileage before developing a fault - and that the clock sets to zero if a fault does occur. Which faults count for the purpose will depend on what’s defined in the contract for acceptance testing takes I’ve

 

[chargesmith]

024 out in service today again with 016 and 023 on test, I can't remember if 016 is one we've seen out in recent weeks.

Something I noticed is that RTT says they don't have WiFi on board but 024 definitely has some. If you can get a table seat or an airline seat with a folding table you could in theory still get some work done the same as you can on the other TFW fleets.

 

[Cardiff123]

Geoff Marshall has today released a members only YouTube video of him riding the 398s, as well as there being plenty of other YT videos by other people on them, but still not a peep out of TfW to officially acknowledge these are now in passenger service, which after years of hype by them, is very odd.

 

[CapitalStar378]

My first trip on a 398 today from Queen St to Cardiff Bay. The trains are really nice, new train smell, comfy seats, fast acceleration, big windows, plenty of space. There is definitely not the suspension of a 756 as there was a sharp bump a little way onto the Bay branch.

They're running on battery between Queen St and the Bay. I spoke to a TfW guy who said he'd been working on the 398s for 3 years and seemed pleased to get good feedback. There were also an old couple on the train complimenting the 'lovely new trains'.

The batteries are topped up using regenerative braking from the end of the wires after Llandaf to Queen St and the Bay. He said they only used 2 miles worth of battery on a return trip due to this. The wires are not live still so there's clearly an issue.

 

[InvHst]

This morning's 398 failed at Taffs Well sadly

However a fresh 398 has replaced from 2B18 starting at Taffs Well

 

[chargesmith]

This morning's 398 failed at Taffs Well sadly

However a fresh 398 has replaced from 2B18 starting at Taffs Well

According to RTT 022 was the failed unit, 024 is the new one out.

Failure reason was due to "a problem with the train". Could just be that something odd happened and it was brought back to depot precautionarily. It was common for 756s to be taken out of service early on so it's not a looming sign of catastrophe.

016 and 023 are out on test today.

 

[AdamWW]

However a fresh 398 has replaced from 2B18 starting at Taffs Well

Which skipped out Llandaf and Cathays to make up time, making excellent use of the exterior speakers to let people at Radyr know.

It does make me wonder why we don't have this on other trains.
Given that the railway finds it so hard to communicate effectively during disruption, it seem like an excellent idea. I'm sure I'm not the only person who has seen people board a train based on incorrect station information, then have to get off again when the guard does an announcement about skipping stops etc.

It seems a bit better than the driver with his head out of the window shouting to waiting passengers approach.

 

[positron]

I guess the external speakers are also useful if there's driver only operation and no platform dispatch. They can use it to shout at all the morons who run for the train that's clearly already departing.

 

[Tom125]

This morning's 398 failed at Taffs Well sadly

However a fresh 398 has replaced from 2B18 starting at Taffs Well

That’s good organisation and a positive benefit of having the depot at a more central location.

 

[AdamWW]

That’s good organisation and a positive benefit of having the depot at a more central location.

Combined with a bit of luck if it did actually fail at Taffs Well, rather than the fault arising earlier and it being able to run as far as Taffs Well to get back into the depot.

Anyway it doesn't seem bad going given how many days they've now run successfully run the entire planned diagram.

 

[fgw_43025]

Which skipped out Llandaf and Cathays to make up time, making excellent use of the exterior speakers to let people at Radyr know.

It does make me wonder why we don't have this on other trains.
Given that the railway finds it so hard to communicate effectively during disruption, it seem like an excellent idea. I'm sure I'm not the only person who has seen people board a train based on incorrect station information, then have to get off again when the guard does an announcement about skipping stops etc.

It seems a bit better than the driver with his head out of the window shouting to waiting passengers approach.

2 minutes late off Taffs Well and misses out stops to make up time!

 

[chargesmith]

Looks like the planned services went fine today. 024 was used again which I think is the first time the same unit has been in public service two days in a row (mainly due to the issues with 022).

According to RTT, next week it looks like only the one diagram (unsure if that is right phrase) is planned to run, forming a service between Pontypridd and Cardiff Bay originating from Taffs Well Depot, but it will be morning and afternoon (not evening - the last service is due into Pontypridd about 4pm before returning to the depot).

It's odd that they've elected to degrade the service again after running a relatively normal service this week with 2 150s used alongside the 398 (with another 150 taking over in the afternoon), but at least a 398 is planned to run later into the day which would be progress.

 

[StripeyNick]

Looks like the planned services went fine today. 024 was used again which I think is the first time the same unit has been in public service two days in a row (mainly due to the issues with 022).

According to RTT, next week it looks like only the one diagram (unsure if that is right phrase) is planned to run, forming a service between Pontypridd and Cardiff Bay originating from Taffs Well Depot, but it will be morning and afternoon (not evening - the last service is due into Pontypridd about 4pm before returning to the depot).

It's odd that they've elected to degrade the service again after running a relatively normal service this week with 2 150s used alongside the 398 (with another 150 taking over in the afternoon), but at least a 398 is planned to run later into the day which would be progress.

The diagram is extended today too

 

[chargesmith]

The diagram is extended today too

I missed that! Thanks for clarifying

 

[Coleridge]

Anyway it doesn't seem bad going given how many days they've now run successfully run the entire planned diagram.

How many days have they successfully run the entire planned diagram? Recent posts seem to suggest that there's a failure and/or substitution almost every day.

 

[chargesmith]

How many days have they successfully run the entire planned diagram? Recent posts seem to suggest that there's a failure and/or substitution almost every day.

AFAIK it's only been twice that they've been disrupted. Once in the first week and once yesterday.

 

[StripeyNick]

Since starting on 23/6, there's been one day (25/6) where the diagram was cancelled for the rest of the morning.....think that was heat related. Yesterday was the only other day to have seen an issue but that was resolved by a set swap.

 

[Caaardiff]

How many days have they successfully run the entire planned diagram? Recent posts seem to suggest that there's a failure and/or substitution almost every day.

Can you point us to the specific posts? Because the ones I've been reading certainly don't point to daily failures.

 

[VR494]

398022 failed yesterday I’ve been told with a traction motor issue. They only have a limited number available in a working state, so 398024 was offered - however also had faults on it but was sent out regardless.

They’ve not allowed crew members to terminate the services regarding the AC and are pushing for them to be kept out - despite the saloons exceeding 30+. And to be honest you are seeing a reality where they run for a bit and break down, just like the test runs that can only achieve so many miles.

They’ve also began testing in multiple running again over the last two days and this is still in testing. I don’t even think they have authority to be honest to be in service and are just doing their own thing on private property. The saloons don’t have fire extinguishers so it’s not ideal if you can’t get to a door in an emergency!

So far they have around 10 DI’s and 5-6 drivers trained up to operate them. Guards are back and forth as there has been conflicting information taught - meaning they have had to do their training again.

The fleet is not anywhere near the level needed for service, and I cannot see them being able to achieve the timetable they want from 13th December.

There’s also been a brief discussion with colleagues on the project that all negative news needs stopping and that they must only promote positive things.

They’ve also suspiciously installed a mobile toilet for emergency use onboard if the thing becomes stranded. This is bucket and a shower screen attached that can be erected onboard. No that’s not a joke, and you did read that.

 

[Caaardiff]

They’ve not allowed crew members to terminate the services regarding the AC and are pushing for them to be kept out - despite the saloons exceeding 30+.

No different to the 197s and 158s which are struggling at the moment, as well as the 150's and 153's that don't have air con. If the train crew wanted to fail a unit, they are well within their rights to.

I don’t even think they have authority to be honest to be in service and are just doing their own thing on private property.

I find this very hard to believe.

Guards are back and forth as there has been conflicting information taught - meaning they have had to do their training again.

Conflicting or just multiple ways of operation?

There’s also been a brief discussion with colleagues on the project that all negative news needs stopping and that they must only promote positive things.

They’ve also suspiciously installed a mobile toilet for emergency use onboard if the thing becomes stranded. This is bucket and a shower screen attached that can be erected onboard. No that’s not a joke, and you did read that.

Really? Would be interested to see if there's anything to back this up.

 

[chargesmith]

398022 failed yesterday I’ve been told with a traction motor issue. They only have a limited number available in a working state, so 398024 was offered - however also had faults on it but was sent out regardless.

They’ve not allowed crew members to terminate the services regarding the AC and are pushing for them to be kept out - despite the saloons exceeding 30+. And to be honest you are seeing a reality where they run for a bit and break down, just like the test runs that can only achieve so many miles.

They’ve also began testing in multiple running again over the last two days and this is still in testing. I don’t even think they have authority to be honest to be in service and are just doing their own thing on private property. The saloons don’t have fire extinguishers so it’s not ideal if you can’t get to a door in an emergency!

So far they have around 10 DI’s and 5-6 drivers trained up to operate them. Guards are back and forth as there has been conflicting information taught - meaning they have had to do their training again.

The fleet is not anywhere near the level needed for service, and I cannot see them being able to achieve the timetable they want from 13th December.

There’s also been a brief discussion with colleagues on the project that all negative news needs stopping and that they must only promote positive things.

They’ve also suspiciously installed a mobile toilet for emergency use onboard if the thing becomes stranded. This is bucket and a shower screen attached that can be erected onboard. No that’s not a joke, and you did read that.

What a ridiculous thing to post. I doubt anyone on the forum is taking anything you post seriously any more as each time you post your claims get more and more unbelievable.

 

[The exile]

I guess the external speakers are also useful if there's driver only operation and no platform dispatch. They can use it to shout at all the morons who run for the train that's clearly already departing.

This is exactly what is done on the Berlin S-Bahn (or at least was after they dispensed with dispatchers at many stations - things may have got more automated now).

 

[800001]

This is exactly what is done on the Berlin S-Bahn (or at least was after they dispensed with dispatchers at many stations - things may have got more automated now).

Merseyrail 777s have this don't they?

 

[390112A]

Merseyrail 777s have this don't they?

They do indeed and they have automatic announcements.

 

[jockywockie]

398022 failed yesterday I’ve been told with a traction motor issue. They only have a limited number available in a working state, so 398024 was offered - however also had faults on it but was sent out regardless.

They’ve not allowed crew members to terminate the services regarding the AC and are pushing for them to be kept out - despite the saloons exceeding 30+. And to be honest you are seeing a reality where they run for a bit and break down, just like the test runs that can only achieve so many miles.

They’ve also began testing in multiple running again over the last two days and this is still in testing. I don’t even think they have authority to be honest to be in service and are just doing their own thing on private property. The saloons don’t have fire extinguishers so it’s not ideal if you can’t get to a door in an emergency!

So far they have around 10 DI’s and 5-6 drivers trained up to operate them. Guards are back and forth as there has been conflicting information taught - meaning they have had to do their training again.

The fleet is not anywhere near the level needed for service, and I cannot see them being able to achieve the timetable they want from 13th December.

There’s also been a brief discussion with colleagues on the project that all negative news needs stopping and that they must only promote positive things.

They’ve also suspiciously installed a mobile toilet for emergency use onboard if the thing becomes stranded. This is bucket and a shower screen attached that can be erected onboard. No that’s not a joke, and you did read that.

VR 494. Your negativity is getting boring now