Today, Monday, 18th November, is a landmark for Britain’s railways, as it will be the first time electric ‘tri-mode’ trains will have operated passenger services in the UK.
In a phased introduction, the Class 756 electric ‘tri-mode’ trains will initially enter service on the lines to Merthyr and Aberdare lines, followed by the line to Treherbert.
Their introduction on these Valley Lines in South Wales marks a great step forward in delivering the next phase of the South Wales Metro.
As more Class 756s enter service, Transport for Wales’ older trains will be withdrawn and by spring next year there are planned to be 14 new trains in service.
Once Tram-Trains enter service on the new South Wales Metro in late 2025, the Class 756s will be transferred to services from Rhymney to Barry Island and Bridgend and the Vale of Glamorgan line from Coryton and Caerphilly to Penarth.
The Class 756 trains, also known by the acronym FLIRTs (Fast Light Intercity and Regional Trains, have been built by Stadler and are the first in the UK that can operate from diesel or battery power and from overhead wires.
As a prelude to their introduction, the Merthyr, Aberdare, and Treherbert lines have been electrified, station platforms lengthened to accommodate the new longer trains, and accessibility improvements made to stations along the routes.
As well as the Class 756s, in the last two years Transport for Wales has introduced 65 new trains and seven premier class Mk.4 trains to the Wales and Borders network as part of an £800 million investment in new trains.
Part of the funding to transform the Core Valley Lines for the South Wales Metro to enable faster and more frequent services between Cardiff and the Heads of the Valleys has come from the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.
“This is great news and a truly historic moment as we see the introduction of the first brand new electric trains on the South Wales metro. These state-of-the-art electric trains with greater capacity will make passengers journeys more comfortable and with the addition of the latest technology allowing for Wi Fi and up to the minute travel information screens, are sure to encourage more people to use the train for their travel needs.”
The Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates
Responses
Meanwhile, on the “Borders” and the Cambrian Lines, there’s a shortgae of trains of any sort:
Stadler who manufactured the Class 231 and Class 756 FLIRTs could perhaps manufacture more FLIRTs for the UK. Including the North of England, Southwest England, Scotland and to replace the older diesel trains that are over 30-40+ years old.
It’s nice to see that TfW now using the Class 756 FLIRT Tri-mode and the Class 398 Citylink Tram-trains are due to start entering service from next year.
Some right moaners aren’t there. TFW are like a godsend compared to the crap an anti Wales offered and whilst there are and will be headaches as all this MASSIVE investment is made and disruption impacts current journeys. You can make a great amazing cake without breaking some eggs flour etc. as it is the fabric of train journeys in Wales is already transformational and just the branding of seeing these modern trains should make us feel proud. Support their staff, tolerate the planned inconvenience (moan as you wish for the bits unplanned) but let’s support the fact that proper targeted investment in a transformational step change can deliver benefits. Not convinced? Go to Manchester and see how their tram network has transformed the city.
The big problem with them is there are no toilets on the trains and no toilets on the stations. Transport for Wales have obviously never been on one of their trains on a rugby international day.
The old diesels they are replacing did have on board toilets
There’s toilets at the two Cardiff stations, though I agree that toilets should be on them too.
The 756s that are entering service now do have toilets but the 398s that will eventually run on this line will not. There are new toilets being built at major stations along the route. This route has a lot of commuters and the plan is to attract a lot more, and putting a full size accessible toilet on the 398s would not be a good use of space in my opinion.
What about NorthWales??
What about it? North Wales has already got new class 197 units.
Except that the first day was actually last Friday, I believe.
Last Friday:
2F00 was 756116 (05:16 Pontyridd – Cardiff)
2M00 was 756107 (05:26 Cardiff – Merthyr)
@Chrisjo Hi Chris, TfW had an embargo on this news until yesterday so we couldnt post anything until then