Rolling stock › In serviceData updated
Class 398 Citylink
Stadler's Citylink tram-trains for the South Wales Metro, built in Valencia: three-section vehicles that take power from 25 kV overhead wires or batteries, with level boarding and no toilets. They are built to run on street tramways too, though none has yet been built in Cardiff.
Drawing to come
- Type
- Tram-train (overhead electric and battery)
- Builder
- Stadler, Valencia (Spain)
- In service
- since 2026
- Operators
- Transport for Wales
- Formation
- Three sections, 40.07 m, double-ended; up to three units together
- Trains in fleet
- 36
- Fleets
- Transport for Wales: 36
- Top speed
- 60 mph in train mode, 45 mph in tram mode
- Power
- 25 kV AC overhead and traction batteries; four 150 kW motors
- Train length
- 40.07 m
- Car height
- 3.865 m
- Car width
- 2.65 m
- Profile
- light rail
- Air-conditioned
- Yes
- Seats per train
- 126
- Total capacity
- 126 seats including tip-ups and 252 passengers in all at 4 per m² (Stadler; TfW's 2023 notice). TfW's 2026 guide gives 104 seats and 28 tip-up. No toilets.
- Status
- First in passenger service on 23 June 2026, between Pontypridd and Cardiff Bay. Six had carried passengers by late September 2026, when Transport for Wales paused their use while Stadler updated software. All 36 are to run on the Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr lines and to Cardiff Bay, from Taff's Well depot.
Car types
| Code | Car | Length | Doors per side |
|---|---|---|---|
| DMS | Driving motor standard (DMS), over a motor bogie | 1 double | |
| PTS | Pantograph trailer standard (PTS): the pantograph, on two trailer bogies | 1 double |
Sources
- Citylink tram-train, Transport for Wales (data sheet CTTWB0922e), Stadler, September 2022 (36 vehicles; Bo'2'2'Bo'; 40,070 mm; width 2,650 mm; entrance 915 mm; 126 seats, 252 in all; three double doors a side; wheels 740 mm; 25 m curves; 4 x 150 kW; 100 km/h)
- Citylink tram-train, Transport for Wales, UK (data sheet CL_TfW1025en), Stadler, October 2025 (25 kV AC and batteries; built by Stadler Valencia; commissioning 2026; 40,000 mm)
- Transport for Wales Rail Ltd CVL Vehicle Change proposal: Class 398 (v2), Transport for Wales Rail Ltd, 23 August 2023 (formation DMS2-PTS-DMS1; one pantograph on the middle vehicle; 60 mph train mode, 45 mph tram mode; 40.07 m; height 3.865 m (pantograph down); width 2.65 m; 73.22 t; one double door a side per vehicle; no toilets; up to three units; Taff's Well depot; first units delivered March 2023)
- Tram-trains enter service in South Wales, British Trams Online (Gareth Prior), 29 June 2026 (first passengers 23 June 2026 on 398 028, Pontypridd to Cardiff Bay; deliveries)
- First new Metro tram-trains enters passenger services, Nation.Cymru, 24 June 2026 (first service; Taff's Well depot; routes to Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil and Treherbert)
- Stadler Citylink for Transport for Wales finally enters service, Railcolor News, 25 June 2026 (entry into service 23 June 2026; ordered 2018-19; first unit shown at InnoTrans 2022)
- Concern as further delays hit roll-out of tram-trains, Nation.Cymru, 26 September 2026 (36 delivered since March 2023, six in passenger service; use paused while Stadler updates software (September 2026))
- A guide to our fleet of trains: fleet accessibility specifications (V3, updated June 2026), Transport for Wales, June 2026 (36 tram-trains; roll-out from June 2026 on Pontypridd to Cardiff Bay; 104 seats and 28 tip-up; no toilets)
- Case study: Wales & Borders, commercial and contract management, Apex Rail, accessed 7 October 2026 (owned by SMBC Leasing and Equitix)
- British Rail Class 398, Wikipedia, accessed 7 October 2026 (withdrawal date 19 September 2026, citing WalesOnline (last resort))
unverified in service now: TfW said in late September 2026 that it was 'temporarily pausing their use'; Wikipedia, citing WalesOnline (not read), says they were withdrawn on 19 September 2026, first day: British Trams Online gives Tuesday 23 June 2026 (398 028); Nation.Cymru, published 24 June, says 'Monday', seats: 126 including tip-ups (Stadler; TfW, 2023) against 104 and 28 tip-up in TfW's 2026 guide, length: 40,070 mm (Stadler, 2022; TfW, 2023); Stadler's 2025 sheet rounds it to 40,000 mm. The lengths of the three sections aren't given, speed: TfW gives 60 mph (train mode) and 45 mph (tram mode); Stadler gives a maximum of 100 km/h, deliveries: British Trams Online (June 2026) had 33 in South Wales, one at Old Dalby and two still to come; Nation.Cymru (September 2026) says TfW had taken delivery of all 36, build years: not confirmed; the first unit reached Britain in May 2022 and Taff's Well in March 2023, owners: SMBC Leasing and Equitix, from a consultant's case study (Apex Rail)