TfW class 398 Stadler Citylink tram trains

[Bletchleyite]

this tweet has two interior shots: https://twitter.com/TodaysRailways/status/1572195191661944832

Finally a suitable use for the F****a S****a!

My first reaction is (other than that it looks similar to the Merseyrail 777 but with a slightly narrower aisle, so perfectly suitable for the intended work) I'm amazed it appears not to have aircon?! Or does it, and those windows will normally be locked?

 

[Techniquest]

I like the look of these, should be good fun to travel on when they're ready It even looks like they have good cycle space provision!

 

[krus_aragon]

Finally a suitable use for the F****a S****a!

Why oh why did my mind fill in those gaps as "Frank Sinatra" ? :/

 

[Ilovetrains43]

They look like the Class 399s used for Stagecoach/Sheffield SuperTram.

 

[D365]

They look like the Class 399s used for Stagecoach/Sheffield SuperTram.

”Citylink” is a tram-train family by Stadler ES. So it’s the same base design.

 

[Ilovetrains43]

”Citylink” is a tram-train family by Stadler ES. So it’s the same base design.

Thank you, I thought that at first lol.

 

[anamyd]

They look like the Class 399s used for Stagecoach/Sheffield SuperTram.

What D365 said. The 399s were Vossloh Citylinks, but Stadler since acquired Vossloh, so the 398s are Stadler Citylinks.

 

[MattRat]

Thanks.

None of that is unreasonable, nor a great conspiracy, nor a screw-up, and won't cost an absolute packet as part of the later works to introduce street running.

In short (as it's an image so a faff to retype) the "issue" is that the units have been specified with rail-profile wheels, because using tram-profile wheels requires modification of pointwork on the railway sections on which they will operate, and changing the wheel profile later is lower risk than changing the infrastructure now. There are also a few other minor things cited which will depend on what on-street running is planned and what will be wired, such as larger batteries and 750VDC based fast charging, plus something about "controls for road use", i guess that means indicators etc, though I'm surprised they weren't specced now due to the low cost.

Hold up. How does a tram train run on train tracks without train wheels? And then if it can't, how does that make it still a tram train, and not just a tram?

 

[Ilovetrains43]

What D365 said. The 399s were Vossloh Citylinks, but Stadler since acquired Vossloh, so the 398s are Stadler Citylinks.

Thanks!

 

[Peter Sarf]

Hold up. How does a tram train run on train tracks without train wheels? And then if it can't, how does that make it still a tram train, and not just a tram?

A tram-train can run on modified train tracks. Which then means certain trains cannot use those modified tracks (steam locomotives with flange-less wheels)

 

[D365]

A tram-train can run on modified train tracks. Which then means certain trains cannot use those modified tracks (steam locomotives with flange-less wheels)

My understanding was that tracks on the Supertram are being changed, rather than the heavy rail tracks out to Rotherham. Tram-train wheel vehicles can only run to Shalesmoor currently (?)

 

[Broken70]

My understanding was that tracks on the Supertram are being changed, rather than the heavy rail tracks out to Rotherham. Tram-train wheel vehicles can only run to Shalesmoor currently (?)

Correct however as far as I'm led to believe they won't pass Cathedral. The Tram train ones anyway its quite an odd set up currently.

 

[Bob Price]

Picture of one of the units on test.

"The Stadler-built Class 398 'Citylink' tram-train stock is now under test at the Asfordby/Old Dalby test track facility. The image shows the train, understood to be set No. 398001, at the site of the former Upper Broughton station, on the former Melton to Nottingham line. Photo by Alan Carter"

http://www.railway-centre.com/uploads/7/2/2/3/7223531/pod-13-07-22_orig.jpg

 

[Bob Price]

More pictures of the units on test in multiple

https://twitter.com/LeicRailAle170/status/1595726240127787014?t=CbjWaXqxwrDTrHFvvtROUQ&s=19

 

[Bob Price]

In the Facebook group Railways of Wales there are some photos from Nigel Rees of a new unit arriving at Avonmouth.

Railways of Wales | Fresh off the ship just being loaded on a low loader | Facebook

Fresh off the ship just being loaded on a low loader

www.facebook.com

 

[anthony263]

Its literally just arrived at Taff's well depot tonight. They closed the northbound slip road onto the A470 at Taff's well tonight for it.

I've attached The photo posted just now on Facebook copyright belongs to the person who uploaded it onto Facebook.

 

[XAM2175]

I've attached The photo posted just now on Facebook copyright belongs to the person who uploaded it onto Facebook.

Copyright attaches to the person or organisation who created the image, not the person who uploads to Facebook or any other such service (and just saying "credit to the creator" isn't enough either).

In this case it's fairly obvious, given that it says "Traffic Wales" in the upper left and "Crown Copyright" in the upper right!

 

[Bob Price]

Someone messaged me last night and told me to check the cameras. I was surprised as I didn't think the depot was ready. Maybe there for gushing and clearance tests? Here's another from the Traffic Wales site last night.

 

[trainlogger]

In the Facebook group Railways of Wales there are some photos from Nigel Rees of a new unit arriving at Avonmouth.

Railways of Wales | Fresh off the ship just being loaded on a low loader | Facebook

Fresh off the ship just being loaded on a low loader

www.facebook.com

Very minor correction - these (and other recent Stadler/Vossloh/CAF rail vehicles) are coming through "Royal Portbury Dock", not "Avonmouth". (Both part of the wider "Bristol Port" but important to differentiate)

 

[Buzz68]

398007 at Taffs Well Depot

 

[twpsaesneg]

I'm intrigued by the "Grease Tank Refill" label - do these units have on-board flange lubricators, or is this for something else?

 

[Snow1964]

Just found you tube of 398 007 arriving at Taff Wells

 

[fadster]

398006 is at the Asfordby Test Centre (often referred to as Old Dalby) still in two parts as delivered.
Fadster.

 

[Buzz68]

I'm hearing 398008 was delivered to Taffs Well deport last night, can anyone confirm this please?

 

[sharpley]

398006 is at the Asfordby Test Centre (often referred to as Old Dalby) still in two parts as delivered.
Fadster.

I live in Melton Mowbray so took a walk to the test track. Can see these units in the distance at Melton RIDC, excuse the quality of photo, had to zoom a bit with my phone...

 

[Hwnt52]

I'm hearing 398008 was delivered to Taffs Well deport last night, can anyone confirm this please?

I tried to join the A470 at Taffs Well heading north at 10.00 last night to find the slip road blocked with low-loaders carrying what appeared to be a 398. Must have been your 398008 Buzz.

 

[CapitalStar378]

I think they'd look far better with a red cab front, a bit less Parry People Mover-esque!

 

[43096]

I think they'd look far better with a red cab front, a bit less Parry People Mover-esque!

They’ve hit every branch on the way down as they fell out of the ugly tree. An utterly hideous design.

 

[Buzz68]

I tried to join the A470 at Taffs Well heading north at 10.00 last night to find the slip road blocked with low-loaders carrying what appeared to be a 398. Must have been your 398008 Buzz.

Thank you, I popped down earlier to have a look. 398008 was inside the depot and 398007 was outside.

 

[PaulHarding150]

I live in Melton Mowbray so took a walk to the test track. Can see these units in the distance at Melton RIDC, excuse the quality of photo, had to zoom a bit with my phone...

Any idea how many are there?

Or a question to others, how many of the 36 are built and/or in the UK?