British Rail Class 398
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| British Rail Class 398 Citylink | |
|---|---|
 Class 398 on test at Abercynon in April 2025 | |
| In service | Planned for 2025 |
| Manufacturer | Stadler Rail |
| Assembly | Stadler Rail Valencia SAU |
| Built at | Valencia, Spain |
| Family name | Citylink |
| Replaced | |
| Constructed | 2020–present |
| Number under construction | 36 |
| Formation | 3 cars per unit |
| Fleet numbers | 398001–398036 |
| Capacity | 252 (126 seated, 126 standing) |
| Owners | SMBC Leasing |
| Operators | Transport for Wales Rail |
| Depots | Taff's Well |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Stainless steel |
| Train length | 40.07 m (131 ft 6 in) |
| Width | 2.650 m (8 ft 8.3 in) |
| Floor height | 915 mm (36 in) at doors |
| Doors | Double-leaf sliding plug (1 per side per vehicle) |
| Wheel diameter | 740 mm (29 in) |
| Maximum speed | 62 mph (100 km/h) |
| Traction motors | 4 × TSA TMR 42-31-4, each of 150 kW (201 hp) |
| Power output | 600 kW (805 hp) |
| Electric system(s) | 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead |
| Current collector(s) | Pantograph |
| UIC classification | Bo′+2′2′+Bo′ |
| Minimum turning radius | 25 m (82 ft) |
| Multiple working | Within class |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
The Class 398 Citylink is a fleet of 36 tram-train multiple units being built for Transport for Wales Rail by Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler Rail.
The units will be equipped with traction battery packages, allowing them to operate over non-electrified sections of track in addition to those with 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead supplies.
History
The Wales & Borders rail franchise was awarded to KeolisAmey Wales in May 2018 and commenced on 14 October 2018. The franchise award included a requirement that the operator perform a full replacement of its fleets; as part of which process an order was placed with Stadler for delivery by 2023 of 36 tram-train units that would be capable of running on existing lines and also under battery power on the streets of Cardiff.
All units are three cars and are able to be coupled together to form a six car unit. Each three car unit has a maximum passenger capacity of 256, units will have level boarding, space for bikes, wheelchairs and pushchairs. All seats will have access to plug and USB-A style sockets.
The first unit to arrive in the UK was 398001, delivered from the Valencia works to the Rail Innovation & Development Centre in Melton, Leicestershire for testing on the Old Dalby Test Track.
The first unit was delivered to Taff's Well depot on 21 March 2023. TfW have stated that entry into service is planned for 2025.
Operator
Transport for Wales
When built, Transport for Wales Rail Class 398 units will operate services on the Rhondda, Merthyr and Cardiff City lines, and the Cardiff Bay Branch.
Fleet details
| Class | Operator | Qty. | Year built | Cars | Unit nos. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 398 | Transport for Wales Rail | 36 | 2020–pres. | 3 | 398001–398036 |
| British Rail Class 398 Citylink | |
|---|---|
Class 398 on test at Abercynon in April 2025 | |
| In service | Planned for 2025 |
| Manufacturer | Stadler Rail |
| Assembly | Stadler Rail Valencia SAU |
| Built at | Valencia, Spain |
| Family name | Citylink |
| Replaced | |
| Constructed | 2020–present |
| Number under construction | 36 |
| Formation | 3 cars per unit |
| Fleet numbers | 398001–398036 |
| Capacity | 252 (126 seated, 126 standing) |
| Owners | SMBC Leasing |
| Operators | Transport for Wales Rail |
| Depots | Taff's Well |
| Specifications | |
| Car body construction | Stainless steel |
| Train length | 40.07 m (131 ft 6 in) |
| Width | 2.650 m (8 ft 8.3 in) |
| Floor height | 915 mm (36 in) at doors |
| Doors | Double-leaf sliding plug (1 per side per vehicle) |
| Wheel diameter | 740 mm (29 in) |
| Maximum speed | 62 mph (100 km/h) |
| Traction motors | 4 × TSA TMR 42-31-4, each of 150 kW (201 hp) |
| Power output | 600 kW (805 hp) |
| Electric system(s) | 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead |
| Current collector(s) | Pantograph |
| UIC classification | Bo′+2′2′+Bo′ |
| Minimum turning radius | 25 m (82 ft) |
| Multiple working | Within class |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge |
Last updated 24 June 2025. All information and images sourced from the relevant Wikipedia article(s) unless stated otherwise. If any information is incorrect, please let us know by emailing us: [email protected]. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0; additional terms apply.