A new era for transport in South Wales has arrived with the unveiling of the first of South Wales Metro's electric tram-trains at their new £100 million depot at Taff's Well.
The new tram-trains are set to transform transport across the South Wales valleys, and are being introduced by Transport for Wales.
These will be the first light rail vehicles to operate in Wales and can be powered from both overhead electric lines and battery power. As well as operating on tram lines, they have a maximum speed of 100 km/h on conventional railway tracks. The trains are 40 metres long and a maximum capacity of 252 passengers.
The new depot being constructed at Taff's Well is nearing completion. As well as being responsible for maintaining the tram-trains, it is also the network's electrical control and signalling centre which is already operational and controlling trains on the Treherbert, Aberdare, and Merthyr lines.
When complete, the Core Valley Lines will enable faster, more frequent services between Cardiff and the Heads of the Valleys, and is being part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.
Karl Gilmore, Rail Infrastructure Director at Transport for Wales, said: “We're making huge progress at our depot at Taff's Well and everything is now becoming very visual. The maintenance depot and control centre buildings are both erected and can be clearly seen and the railway tracks connecting the depot to the mainline have been laid.
“Our new tram trains are here and are currently being tested at the depot and on our valley lines. We've already electrified our first phase of lines in the valleys and will continue to do so over the coming months.
“It's a really exciting time for South Wales as this depot and these tram trains will revolutionise transport in the region.”
Alexia Course, Chief Commercial Officer, added: “Our Citylink Class 398 Tram Trains that have been manufactured by Stadler are now on test in South Wales and this signifies another step closer to delivering the South Wales Metro.
“We have ordered 36 of these 3 car tram trains and they are spacious and bright with multifunctional areas for bicycles, seats for people with reduced mobility and wheelchair passenger spaces.
“The light rail vehicles are designed to connect city centres with outlying areas and we're excited to add them to our network in the coming months.”
I was very interested to read this article. The contrast between the new trains and the Taffy tanks + slam door carriages of which I have happy memories is huge.