New trains ordered by Transport for Wales are being displayed this week in Berlin at InnoTrans, which is the world’s leading trade fair for transport technology.
Among those on display will be FLIRT tri-mode trains that can operate on electric or battery power, but have a diesel engine for use when appropriate and have strong environmental credentials.
The train’s builder, Stadler, is officially unveiling seven vehicles at InnoTrans, three of which are destined for the UK market. The FLIRTs are intended for use on the Valley lines north of Cardiff to provide an innovative and cost-effective way of providing a fully electric, environmentally friendly service. Also on display will be Transport for Wales’ CITYLINK tram-trains and a METRO IPEMU for the Liverpool City Region.
Stadler and Transport for Wales signed a contract in January 2019 for 35 FLIRT vehicles and 36 CITYLINK tram-trains. Twenty-four of the FLIRTs will be tri-modes, and by using battery power they will provide an all-electric service north of Cardiff without the expense of costly infrastructure upgrades.
Seven three-car and 17 four-car tri-mode and 11 diesel-operated FLIRT trains have been ordered. All are fitted with power sockets and feature air-conditioning, dedicated areas for wheelchairs, pushchairs, bicycles with space for up to six bikes, and passenger information screens that display up-to-the-minute travel information. Low flooring at every door will make it easier for passengers to get on and off and reduce station stop times.
The first FLIRT trains were delivered in November 2021, since when they have undergone testing on Transport for Wales’ local network and will be introduced into passenger service later this year.
Ralf Warwel, sales director for the UK and Ireland at Stadler, said: “This train boasts compelling environmental credentials and will bring about a step-change in passenger travel. It illustrates Stadler’s pledge to provide ever greener solutions, supporting the decarbonisation of the railway, both in Wales and beyond.”
Alexia Course, Transport for Wales chief commercial officer, said: “We’re extremely proud to have our new Stadler trains on show at InnoTrans this year and we’re excited to start introducing them to our Wales and Borders network over the coming months and years. We’re on a transformational journey at Transport for Wales and these new trains are a key part of improving the customer experience, so that we can encourage more people to travel sustainably on public transport. These are modern trains, with high-quality features that will offer our customers more accessible, reliable and greener transport.”
Responses
Hi
I live in Telford, Shropshire and Donnington there are over 12 brand new T f W trains . They have been stored there now over 6 months . I called T f W and denied knowing anything about them
How can they complain lack of trains
Shrewsbury to Birmigham services with T f W are terrible, lack of carriages , old trains , cancelled services due to lack of trains etc
What’s going on ???
Can anyone help ??
What are the differences in the on-train experience vs. the rural route bi-modes in use by Greater Anglia (apart presumably from bi-lingual signage and announcements)
Is the seat layout any different? Seat upholstery?
Just curious, I like the Greater Anglia units
This would never have happened under British Rail. British Rail converted electric tracks in Newcastle to Diesel operation. Let’s bring back public ownership of all forms of public transport but please not the centralised monolith that was British Rail. Local rail services need to be organised locally by democratically accountable transport experts not from Whitehall. It works in Wales, it works in London and it works in Newcastle. Why can’t we have locally run fully integrated local public transport transport in the rest of the country ?
Stadler should build a train manufacturing facility in the UK and to continue on manufacturing new Flirt, Metro and new rolling stocks for the London Underground.
And Stadler to manufacture more new Bi-Mode and Tri-Mode Flirts to replace the existing ageing diesel multiple unit trains that is used in the North of England, Southwest England, The Midlands and the North and West of Scotland.
I’m sure Stadler would be happy to make whatever the TOC/ROSCO wants to order to improve the service–the decision starts there! That may require restructuring the TOCs to create more regional agencies to be TOCs
Not sure there is enough demand for Stadler to set up a factory in the UK (although they have done so in the US for fairly small fleets there it mayy be for political reasons).
I thought New tube for London was a done deal with Siemens, the problem is TfL doesn’t have the funding beyond Picc line (and the S8/S9s used in subsurface/most of the Overground are fairly new and fit for purpose, with other new trains on Goblin). Opportunities on some commuter rail routes round London, perhaps, or regional routes in South Eastern/South Western/Southern.