Trains and stations

Our South Wales Metro fleet

Metro will deliver brand-new trains on the South Wales Valley lines, providing our customers with a modern, effective, turn-up-and-go Metro service.

These trains will significantly increase our capacity and transform our customers’ travelling experiences. They’ll also offer many new features including level boarding, increased bicycle storage space and air conditioning.

 

Stadler FLIRT (DEMU) Class 231

The Class 231 Fast Light Intercity and Regional Trains (FLIRTs) are built by leading manufacturer Stadler.

These trains are powered by 4 diesel engine units.

They were introduced on the Rhymney line in March 2023, with 8 trains currently in service. You can take an interactive virtual reality tour of this train here.

What features do they have?

Their features include modern air conditioning, power sockets and passenger information screens with up-to-the-minute travel information.

Each train has space for up to 6 bikes and has automatic level boarding to assist those with limited mobility, alongside accessible toilets.

How many will be in service?

We’ve introduced 11 x 4 car units.

What lines do they operate on?

These trains currently run on the Rhymney lines, travelling to Cardiff and onwards to Barry Island and Bridgend via the Vale of Glamorgan line.

Once all the new Metro trains have been introduced, they will move to the Ebbw Vale, Cheltenham and Maesteg routes, with the Class 756 trains running on the Rhymney and Coryton lines.

 

Stadler FLIRT (Tri-Mode) Class 756

The Class 756 Fast Light Intercity and Regional Trains (FLIRTs), built by leading manufacturer Stadler, are the tri-mode version of our Class 231 trains.

These trains are innovative Tri-mode units, powered by overhead electrified lines and diesel/ electric on parts of the network that are not electrified. This means they’re much greener for the environment.

What features do they have?

Their features include modern air conditioning, power sockets and passenger information screens with up-to-the-minute travel information.

Each train has space for up to 6 bikes and has automatic level boarding to assist those with limited mobility, alongside accessible toilets.

How many will be in service?

We’ll be introducing 17 trains in total.

When will they be introduced?

These trains will be introduced from November 2024 onto the Merthyr, Aberdare and Treherbert lines.

What lines do they operate on?

The Class 756s will initially run on the Merthyr, Aberdare and Treherbert lines.

From Spring/Summer 2025, a small number will be introduced onto the Coryton and Caerphilly lines, travelling to Penarth.

Once all the new Metro trains have been introduced, including the Tram-Trains, the 756s will move over to the Rhymney lines, travelling to Cardiff and onwards to Barry Island and Bridgend via the Vale of Glamorgan line.

• Take a look at our FLIRT trains

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Stadler Citylink Tram-Train (Class 398)

The Citylink Tram-Trains, built by Stadler, are fully electric trains with the unique ability to run on traditional heavy rail and on street level as a tram.

Powered by overhead electrified lines and battery, the Tram-Trains offer quick acceleration, level boarding from train to platform, and multi-use areas for bikes and wheelchairs.

They’ll be stored in our brand-new maintenance facility in Taff’s Well.

What features do they have?

Their features include modern air conditioning, power sockets and improved passenger information screens.

Each train has space for up to 6 bikes and has high floor lvel boarding from train to platform with the help of platform adjustments across the network.

The Tram-Trains don’t have toilets on board; however, we’re currently installing toilets at several stations across the network to ensure our customers still have access to toilet facilities when using our services.

How many will be in service?

We’ll be introducing 36 x 3 car trains in total.

When will they be introduced?

These trains will be introduced in 2025.

What lines do they operate on?

The Class 398 Tram-Trains will run on the Merthyr, Aberdare and Treherbert lines, travelling to Cardiff and Cardiff Bay. All these lines are fully electrified.

• Take a sneak peak at how our Citylink trains will look

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Stations

We’re making exciting improvements in the coming years to enhance our customers’ travelling experiences. Some improvements you’ll start to see will include CCTV, ticket machines and improved cycling and walking links. We’re also making our stations and trains more accessible as well as installing toilet facilities at a several Metro stations.

What have we completed so far?

10 Platform extensions have been completed to allow us to run new longer trains.

28 level boarding enhancements at stations to provide step-free access onto the new trains.

11 new bridges over the railway

4 new Access for All bridges with lift and step access onto each station platform

A brand-new station stop installed at Aberdare, which will be in use from Spring 2025.

A new station is being constructed on the Cardiff Bay line, known as Butetown Station.

Future improvements:

Whilst work continues to deliver Metro, with works increasing on the Coryton and Rhymney lines, major works will take place to deliver:

• Crwys Road station located on the Rhymney line
• A new Access for All bridge at Cathays station

 

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A number of South Wales Metro projects have been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government.