TfW class 398 Stadler Citylink tram trains

Peter Sarf · 15 Jun 2026

Prime586 said:
Yes, that site plan is from March 2018 and was associated with planning application 18/0314/HYB. The plan was revised in application 19/0380/RVOC in April 2019, as the second access point, the 'Y' junction under Fford Bleddyn required the road to be raised on a 6m embankment. The primary access point was changed to be dual tracks at the south end of the site that curved north under Cardiff Road to join the line, and a spur off one of these tracks that ran south under a second bridge on Cardiff Road alongside the sliproad that links Cardiff Road to the A470 (see the plan here).

The south-facing link was dropped in application 20/0806/16 in 2022 due to the 'significant utilities' issue. Looking at the utilities surveys for the earlier applications, there is a 9-inch water main that runs between the A470 slip road and the railway to a junction where Cardiff Road meets Fford Bleddyn, and then continues along the sliproad to the A470 with a 4-inch branch that heads north under Cardiff Road (see the Welsh Water survey plan here). This is exactly where the bridge was going to be constructed to carry Cardiff Road over the south-facing link. I believe there is also a gas main in that area too, that runs through the old Garth Works site onto Fford Bleddyn and onto Cardiff Road (see the Wales & West Utilities survey plan here - it looks like it was routed under the old railway sidings in the site).

Thanks. Makes sense of the differences. Even the layout of the actual depot is different. The main shed has lines both sides of it and I guess is longer so four roads of two units (8) has become three roads of three units (9). The ancillary (ish) buildings have moved to the other side of the main building so are not nearer the A470. The sidings on the station side are longer and slightly more 9 roads of 3 or 4 cars balanced by the roads (No 10 to No 14) at the Cardiff end having gone - space taken by the longer shed perhaps.

That layout improvement is probably allowed by not having the Y junction. That was pointing up the valleys and down to Cardiff so close to the station and came out of the side of the depot site so not having that makes rail access into the side of the depot site not necessary. The final layout of the depot looks better EXCEPT for the tight U turn out of the depot onto the main line. That water main has a lot to answer for !.

RailUK Forums

Caaardiff · 15 Jun 2026

VR494 said:
then the 756/0 fleet will be moving over to mainline as mentioned.

What routes on Mainline? This has never officially been mentioned and there's very limited scope to the routes they could do. The only viable option would be Cardiff - Bristol, but the route TFW are offering is West Wales - Bristol.

VR494 · 17 Jun 2026

Caaardiff said:
What routes on Mainline? This has never officially been mentioned and there's very limited scope to the routes they could do. The only viable option would be Cardiff - Bristol, but the route TFW are offering is West Wales - Bristol.

The West Wales to Bristol service will be split at Cardiff, with 756's onto Bristol. They may also extend the current Ebbw Vale to Newport shuttles into Bristol too.

The 398 fleet order will allow the services be expanded into Penarth and Coryton, with a passing loop on the branch to increase capacity. This will happen supposedly with a new junction design, yet to be funded and implemented at Clare Road or Cardiff West. This will take the units down onto the road, providing a link from the city line to Cardiff Bay.

As it stands they are hoping to launch a single unit only. This will be sometime in the next few weeks on the Pontypridd to Cardiff Bay line, authority is still yet to be given by the Office of Rail and Road on the fleet.

You could also see some STP or VSTP planning implemented to allow the units to run if they can come out sooner.

Paths are in for the 6th July (1 unit): https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C05319/2026-07-06/detailed

A consultation has been launched for a Connection Contract, this for the rail connection at Taff’s Well Depot on the Core Valley Lines: https://tfw.wales/sites/default/fil...Industry Consultation - Taff's Well Depot.pdf

Only 3 car sets will operate initially due to coupler incompatibility issues.

Daniel Boone · 17 Jun 2026

Since the 20th of May these are the units that have been out on test runs.

Unit No.	Number of Test Runs To and From a TAM Terminus (From Depot)
398 028	11
398 022	9
398 017	8
398 023	7
398 029	7
398 030	7
398 024	6
398 019	5
398 031	5
398 016	1
398 018	1
398 020	1
398 021	1

(Sourced from RTT)

Caaardiff · 17 Jun 2026

VR494 said:
The West Wales to Bristol service will be split at Cardiff, with 756's onto Bristol. They may also extend the current Ebbw Vale to Newport shuttles into Bristol too.

Guess we'll have to wait and see on that one as the whole point of TFW starting the route was to offer a direct West Wales - Bristol service.

AdamWW · 17 Jun 2026

VR494 said:
A consultation has been launched for a Connection Contract, this for the rail connection at Taff’s Well Depot on the Core Valley Lines: https://tfw.wales/sites/default/files/2026-06/Connection Contract Industry Consultation - Taff's Well Depot.pdf

What does this connection contract actually signify?

BillStampy · 18 Jun 2026

Realtime Trains | 5W06 0634 Taffs Well Depot to Pontypridd | 22/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 5W06 0634 departure from Taffs Well Depot to Pontypridd on 22/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

An interesting path appeared tonight, this seems to suggest they want a unit in service this coming Monday!
It runs the Cardiff Bay diagram until about midday before being pulled from service and sent back to depot:

Realtime Trains | 5W24 1255 Pontypridd to Taffs Well Depot | 22/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 5W24 1255 departure from Pontypridd to Taffs Well Depot on 22/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

TheSWTS · 18 Jun 2026

BillStampy said:
Realtime Trains | 5W06 0634 Taffs Well Depot to Pontypridd | 22/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 5W06 0634 departure from Taffs Well Depot to Pontypridd on 22/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

An interesting path appeared tonight, this seems to suggest they want a unit in service this coming Monday!
It runs the Cardiff Bay diagram until about midday before being pulled from service and sent back to depot:

Realtime Trains | 5W24 1255 Pontypridd to Taffs Well Depot | 22/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 5W24 1255 departure from Pontypridd to Taffs Well Depot on 22/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I believe it will start running from Tuesday with a "soft launch" that's what a TfW worker told me

AdamWW · 18 Jun 2026

Just seen that yesterday and on Monday they replaced one of the Cardiff Bay-Pontypridd diagrams with 398 test runs in the evening. Looks to be planned for today as well.

DD2 · 18 Jun 2026

VR494 said:
The West Wales to Bristol service will be split at Cardiff, with 756's onto Bristol. They may also extend the current Ebbw Vale to Newport shuttles into Bristol too.

The 398 fleet order will allow the services be expanded into Penarth and Coryton, with a passing loop on the branch to increase capacity. This will happen supposedly with a new junction design, yet to be funded and implemented at Clare Road or Cardiff West. This will take the units down onto the road, providing a link from the city line to Cardiff Bay.

As it stands they are hoping to launch a single unit only. This will be sometime in the next few weeks on the Pontypridd to Cardiff Bay line, authority is still yet to be given by the Office of Rail and Road on the fleet.

You could also see some STP or VSTP planning implemented to allow the units to run if they can come out sooner.

Paths are in for the 6th July (1 unit): https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:C05319/2026-07-06/detailed

A consultation has been launched for a Connection Contract, this for the rail connection at Taff’s Well Depot on the Core Valley Lines: https://tfw.wales/sites/default/files/2026-06/Connection Contract Industry Consultation - Taff's Well Depot.pdf

Only 3 car sets will operate initially due to coupler incompatibility issues.

That’s really interesting. Do you know whether any concept design work has been done yet for bringing the tram train down to street level?

I’m assuming the only and most likely option would be to make the descent after crossing the bridge towards the rear of Cardiff Central, but I’d be interested to understand whether the gradients, available land make that feasible.

I do remember seeing what I think was a masterplan image for the Brains / Central Quay development, showing tram trains heading south through the development towards Penarth Road. I assumed that was more of an illustrative “dream scenario” than a committed proposal, but it did make me wonder whether that corridor had ever been looked at seriously in any concept design work.

chrisjo · 18 Jun 2026

Daniel Boone said:
Since the 20th of May these are the units that have been out on test runs.

How many have been paired, and which ones?

Daniel Boone · 18 Jun 2026

chrisjo said:
How many have been paired, and which ones?

While looking through, I only came across one instance of units running in pairs. Once I'm home I'll check to see which units. A lot of entries are still listed as generic sprinter type units, so the figures are not entirely accurate.

Smwrff · 18 Jun 2026

DD2 said:
That’s really interesting. Do you know whether any concept design work has been done yet for bringing the tram train down to street level?

I’m assuming the only and most likely option would be to make the descent after crossing the bridge towards the rear of Cardiff Central, but I’d be interested to understand whether the gradients, available land make that feasible.

I do remember seeing what I think was a masterplan image for the Brains / Central Quay development, showing tram trains heading south through the development towards Penarth Road. I assumed that was more of an illustrative “dream scenario” than a committed proposal, but it did make me wonder whether that corridor had ever been looked at seriously in any concept design work.

In the early scoping documents for Metro, options considered included street running at Clare Road - and a tram service running along Penarth Road (through Central Quay development). Both of these options were rejected - and the only current plan is to cross Taff on existing bridge before swinging south east to the new tram stop south of Cardiff Central. Alignment is protected and is easy to see on Google Earth.

DD2 · 18 Jun 2026

Smwrff said:
In the early scoping documents for Metro, options considered included street running at Clare Road - and a tram service running along Penarth Road (through Central Quay development). Both of these options were rejected - and the only current plan is to cross Taff on existing bridge before swinging south east to the new tram stop south of Cardiff Central. Alignment is protected and is easy to see on Google Earth.

Thanks, that explains the artist impression image of Central Quay I spotted. I think it was a 2018 document. All very interesting engineering project.

VR494 · 18 Jun 2026

Next Tuesday the 23rd, it looks like if things go to plan, we may see one actually come into passenger service. Expect a technician onboard of some sort, and how long it will last if it runs, only time will tell. No not being pessimistic!

Still no signs of authority form the ORR.

Here are the links to paths:

Realtime Trains | 5W06 0634 Taffs Well Depot to Pontypridd | 23/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 5W06 0634 departure from Taffs Well Depot to Pontypridd on 23/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 2B06 0655 Pontypridd to Cardiff Bay | 23/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 2B06 0655 departure from Pontypridd to Cardiff Bay on 23/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Bob Price · 19 Jun 2026

I am planning to head for Taffs Well for one of the planned runs and will post photos if it does happen then. TfW must be confident of it happening if the paths are in.

TheSWTS · 19 Jun 2026

Bob Price said:
I am planning to head for Taffs Well for one of the planned runs and will post photos if it does happen then. TfW must be confident of it happening if the paths are in.

They are, I've heard everyone is rushing around trying to actually get them into service for Tuesday

AdamWW · 19 Jun 2026

TheSWTS said:
They are, I've heard everyone is rushing around trying to actually get them into service for Tuesday

I imagine that, barring anything catastrophic happening, if it's not Tuesday then it won't be much longer.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Jun 2026 ==

VR494 said:
Expect a technician onboard of some sort

Is that unsual these days?

I remember that when the Greater Anglia FLIRTS were introduced there was a strong Stadler presence on them for at least the first couple of weeks.

Daniel Boone · 19 Jun 2026

chrisjo said:
How many have been paired, and which ones?

398020 + 398022 on 17/06/2026

Realtime Trains | 3Q25 1900 Treherbert to Taffs Well Depot | 17/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 3Q25 1900 departure from Treherbert to Taffs Well Depot on 17/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

chargesmith · 19 Jun 2026

AdamWW said:
Is that unsual these days?

I remember that when the Greater Anglia FLIRTS were introduced there was a strong Stadler presence on them for at least the first couple of weeks.

I believe this happened with the 756s too which was likely why they didn't appear on weekends for a while after entering service.

800001 · 19 Jun 2026

chargesmith said:
I believe this happened with the 756s too which was likely why they didn't appear on weekends for a while after entering service.

Same with the Hitachi fleets. Engineers with them from day one.

norbitonflyer · 19 Jun 2026

AdamWW said:
Is that unsual these days?

I remember that when the Greater Anglia FLIRTS were introduced there was a strong Stadler presence on them for at least the first couple of weeks.

Not even a new thing. Roger Ford has recounted how he, as an enginner for Napier, rode Deltics when they were new to traffic to momnitor performnace and in case of the need for troubleshooting

chargesmith · 19 Jun 2026

There *may* be a 398 in service, saw one leaving Pontypridd at around the time the bay train leaves and according to RTT the service *did* run and it *did not* explicitly say it was a 150.

This is the service:

Realtime Trains | 2B06 1924 Pontypridd to Cardiff Bay | 19/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 2B06 1924 departure from Pontypridd to Cardiff Bay on 19/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

It could have been a delayed test run I saw but the timing would have been pretty much perfect for the passenger service and there was not a 150 on the bay platform.

56xx · 19 Jun 2026

chrisjo said:
How many have been paired, and which ones?

398 019 + 398 030 22/04/2026

chargesmith · 19 Jun 2026

False alarm on the 398 in service. The bay service was cancelled and a test train was delayed and that's likely what I saw.

BillStampy · 19 Jun 2026

chargesmith said:
False alarm on the 398 in service. The bay service was cancelled and a test train was delayed and that's likely what I saw.

They've been doing that a fair bit recently to test them as they would in service but this was done legitimately as the 150 on that diagram failed earlier in the day.

Last Hurrah · 19 Jun 2026

Smwrff said:
the only current plan is to cross Taff on existing bridge before swinging south east to the new tram stop south of Cardiff Central. Alignment is protected and is easy to see on Google Earth.

The support mast just beyond platform 8 before the river bridge might need to be moved, while if the redundant Network Rail Panel Box is demolished & portable cabins for crew are relocated, there should be room to re-profile the slope & have sufficient space for a west facing bay platform, which would be useful in times of disruption

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 19 Jun 2026 ==

Daniel Boone said:
While looking through, I only came across one instance of units running in pairs. Once I'm home I'll check to see which units. A lot of entries are still listed as generic sprinter type units, so the figures are not entirely accurate.

A Triple set was running on the City Line, overnight back in Oct’25 referred to in Post 807

Avowedsevern · 20 Jun 2026

Just been told by another TfW staff member that a single 398 is indeed set to come into service on Mon/Tues, running between Pontypridd and the Bay (providing all goes well). He said they’ve been having massive trouble with the units, and not to be surprised if the trial run fails to pan out this upcoming week.

VR494 · 20 Jun 2026

Avowedsevern said:
Just been told by another TfW staff member that a single 398 is indeed set to come into service on Mon/Tues, running between Pontypridd and the Bay (providing all goes well). He said they’ve been having massive trouble with the units, and not to be surprised if the trial run fails to pan out this upcoming week.

There’s spare crew diagramed in to sit ready with a rescue and recovery plan, this to get the unit back as quickly as possible if it goes wrong.

They are genuinely nowhere near ready for service, but unfortunately the time has run out so they’ve got to give it a try.

There’s going to be a red ribbon ceremony as well which the unit will drive through as it departs.

tfw756rider · 20 Jun 2026

Avowedsevern said:
Just been told by another TfW staff member that a single 398 is indeed set to come into service on Mon/Tues, running between Pontypridd and the Bay

VR494 said:
they’ve got to give it a try

Will it enter service on Mon 22/6/26 or Tue 23/6/26, or are we not sure which?

There has been mention in here of Monday, then Tuesday, then Tuesday (again), then Monday/Tuesday.

TfW class 398 Stadler Citylink tram trains

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