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TfW class 398 Stadler Citylink tram trains

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ABB125

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What class 398 services can I expect to be running today? It looks like two Cardiff Bay diagrams according to RealTime Trains, but I haven't been following this thread so don't know if I'm missing something. Thanks
 

Cardiff123

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It looks like one of the 398s has failed today and it's not been replaced, either by another 398 or a 150.
Are there only 3 x 398s still available for passenger services?
 

trainspotter4

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Seems like 398022 failed early on in the day but absolutely no attempt to swap this out so far, first time we've seen this.
Usually they are swapped out within an hour or so max by part-running to Taffs Wells and unit swapping there, maybe limited units today...?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Just looking about on RTT, seems like there is a few mainline diagrams requiring 197s/Sprinters which isn't happening because none available so can't see a 150 swap coming, will be another 398 if anything or cancelled for rest of the day similar to mainline services currently. Ebbw <> Newport, one diagram is uncovered/cancelled and Cardiff <> Cheltenham one diagram is uncovered/cancelled. Interesting why another 398 hasn't come in though?
 
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Cardiff123

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Seems like 398022 failed early on in the day but absolutely no attempt to swap this out so far, first time we've seen this.
Usually they are swapped out within an hour or so max by part-running to Taffs Wells and unit swapping there, maybe limited units today...?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Just looking about on RTT, seems like there is a few mainline diagrams requiring 197s/Sprinters which isn't happening because none available so can't see a 150 swap coming, will be another 398 if anything or cancelled for rest of the day similar to mainline services currently. Ebbw <> Newport, one diagram is uncovered/cancelled and Cardiff <> Cheltenham one diagram is uncovered/cancelled. Interesting why another 398 hasn't come in though?
Meanwhile there's luxury on the VoG today with 2 double 150s on 2 different diagrams, when other services are being cancelled.
Sometimes TfW's allocations make absolutely no sense
 

trainspotter4

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Meanwhile there's luxury on the VoG today with 2 double 150s on 2 different diagrams, when other services are being cancelled.
Sometimes TfW's allocations make absolutely no sense
Yeah, their allocation/swap decisions are strange at times, interested to see if that double-up lasts the rest of the day; looks like a 197 was taken off Cheltenham for Pembroke (first I've seen this, usually Chester).
It highlights the absolute need for the 398s to continue progressing so 231s can move to mainline, as to be fair Canton/Barry-maintained units seem to be the only thing not in short supply (minus 153s coming out of storage).

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Photo recently posted around showed 398022 still in Cardiff Queen Street (Platform 1) so seems like the first unit to have got stuck in service, as usually they head straight back to depot.
 
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positron

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Wonder what's wrong with 398022. Will it have the battery to make it back to Taffs Well?

Though I'm guessing one reason it's not been rescued is because platform 1 at queen street is a bit of a pain to rescue from. You can't get from there to the other running lines without going via the bay line. So you'd presumably have to get another 398 behind it connect up shunt down to the bay line at least a bit and then decide how you're going to get it back to Taffs Well, presumably you'd need to rescue unit in front so going via city line is probably easiest but longer off wires during a rescue?
 

spaniel

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Caerphilly
I saw 398022 stranded on platform 1 earlier today as described above, unmanned by the looks of it, I couldn’t see any engineers or anything. I just passed back through QS and it is still there.

Attached is a photo from just before 1pm today
 

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trainspotter4

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Cardiff
Just had a look now, seems 398022 is still on Platform 1 as of writing this; the rescue attempt is planned for near end of service (23:40 leaving Taffs Wells, https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:11838/2026-08-31/detailed and sending down to Cardiff Bay to reverse for 23:59, https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:11842/2026-08-31/detailed), will be interesting to see how they manage this as it's the first rescue we've seen whilst they've been in service and maybe even testing (I do recall one failing in Aberdare with brake issues but believe this was fixed at the station not requiring rescue during early testing)? Does only appear to be using one unit based on diagraming but maybe they'll send out a double unit and de-attach if either side is required, will also prove an early comment if 398 rescues absolutely require a functioning unit on either side (so three total) or not.
 
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positron

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18 Oct 2022
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Cardiff
Any idea how the rescue went?

Edit: looks like it might be ongoing two separate entities are dancing around on Traksy right now. 5Z21 and 5Z22
 
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