UK: Services on Transport for Wales Rail’s Coryton and Penarth lines are now being worked by Stadler Class 756 tri-mode electric-diesel-battery multiple-units following the completion of work to install discontinuous electrification on the routes.
The seven three-car and 17 four-car Class 756 units have a central power module which provides 2 600 kW under 25 kV 50 Hz electrification and 1 300 kW on battery power. The 480 kW diesel generator acts principally as a backup should full electric or battery operation not be possible, and also allows running on non-electrified lines. On the approach to catenary-free sections, the pantograph is dropped automatically, triggered by on-track balises, and raised once the overhead is available again.
The lithium-titanium-oxide batteries provide a capacity of 447 kWh for the three-car units and 559 kWh for four-car sets.
TfW Chief Operating Officer Marie Daly said ‘these modern trains offer more capacity, improved seating, modern air conditioning, power sockets, wi-fi and passenger information screens with up-to-the-minute travel information. They’ll also feature automatic level boarding and space for up to six bikes.’
Upgrading the Core Valley Lines
On September 27 the Welsh government’s Cabinet Secretary for Transport & North Wales Ken Skates said ’we are working hard to deliver better transport for people across Wales, so I am delighted that the full rollout of the brand-new Class 756 electric trains is now complete.
‘This marks another significant milestone on our mission to upgrade all the Core Valley Lines and deliver a turn-up-and go metro service. And with pay-as-you-go available in over 90 stations, more people will now be able to travel cheaper and benefit from the service these state-of-the art trains provide.’
The lines to Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil have already been electrified. Once electrification to Rhymney is completed, the Class 756 trainsets on the Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Tydfil routes will be transferred, to be replaced by Stadler Class 398 CityLink tram-trains.
