New trains have transformed Wales’ railway
Thanks to an £800 million investment into new trains, we’re now running more new trains than old across our network.
Since 2023, we’ve introduced four brand new types of train into our fleet, with a fifth type soon to follow. They’re delivering faster, greener and more accessible rail services for people right across our network.
Meet our new trains:
Class 197
Made in Wales, our long-distance flagship units entered service in 2023. Built in Wales in Newport, these trains serve destinations across our network, from Holyhead to Fishguard.
Class 231
Originally launched in 2022 on our Rhymney line, these diesel-electric trains are currently running across the South Wales Metro serving destinations such as Pontypridd, Barry Island and Cardiff Queen Street. In the future, you’ll see them on the Ebbw Vale, Maesteg and Cheltenham lines.
Class 756
Launched in late 2024, these are innovative ‘tri-mode’ trains that can run on diesel, electric or battery power. While we're completing our transformation work on the South Wales Metro, we’ve introduced these trains temporarily to the Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Lines. In the future, you’ll see these on the Coryton, Penarth, Rhymney and Vale of Glamorgan lines.
Class 230
These once served on the London Underground, but since being completely rebuilt, they can now run on diesel or battery power, and are the first battery-hybrid trains to be used in regular passenger service in Wales. They’ve been running on the Wrexham-Bidston Line for the last few years.
Class 398
Next year, these ‘tram-trains’ will start operating all services on the Treherbert, Aberdare and Merthyr Lines. They’ll run services that are faster and more frequent, thanks to their faster acceleration, offering our customers a true ‘turn up and go’ service with four trains per hour between Cardiff and the heads of the South Wales Valleys.
