The incredible new £800m train line set to transform UK region

The South Wales Metro has made past by introducing its electrical 'tri-mode' trains (Image: TFW)

The South Wales Metro has made past by introducing its electric "tri-mode" trains.

From November 18, the trains started to tally connected the Merthyr and Aberdare lines, replacing older trains with much modern, eco-friendly technology.  

These transformative "tri-mode" trains are the archetypal successful the UK that tin usage diesel oregon artillery powerfulness connected sections of railway tracks wherever determination are nary overhead wires.  

James Price, the CEO of Transport for Wales (TfW), said: “This is simply a immense infinitesimal for TfW and Wales. We’re the archetypal successful the UK to present this modern ‘tri-mode’ bid into rider service.”  

The caller trains are portion of TfW’s £800 cardinal concern successful brand-new trains for the Wales and Borders network. Fourteen of these trains volition beryllium successful work by outpouring 2025.  

The trains are the archetypal successful the UK that tin usage diesel oregon artillery power. (Image: TFW)

“These trains volition connection customers much capacity, improved seating, modern aerial conditioning, wifi, and abstraction for up to six bikes,” Price added.  

The South Wales Metro is Transport for Wales' reply to London’s Tube system, offering an integrated nationalist transport work with trains, trams and buses. 

The task is focused connected the halfway Valley lines, which link Cardiff with Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, Rhymney, Coryton, and Treherbert. 

While the Metro representation resembles the London Underground, astir of the web volition stay supra ground, but for tiny sections specified arsenic the passageway betwixt Cardiff and Caerphilly.  

The archetypal signifier of the Metro is acceptable to beryllium completed by aboriginal 2026. 

The caller trains are portion of TfW’s £800 cardinal concern successful brand-new trains. (Image: TFW)

By then, residents successful Aberdare, Merthyr Tydfil, and Treherbert volition person entree to 4 trains per hr to Cardiff, with Pontypridd benefiting from a bid each 3 minutes.  

Built by Stadler, the caller Class 756 Fast Light Intercity and Regional Trains (FLIRTs) volition tally connected recently installed overhead electrical wires carrying 25,000 volts. 

On tracks without electrification, they tin power seamlessly to diesel oregon artillery power, making them versatile and environmentally friendly.  

Ken Skates, Wales’ Cabinet Secretary for Transport, said: “These state-of-the-art electrical trains volition marque passengers’ journeys much comfy and promote much radical to usage the bid for their question needs.”  

Emil Hansen, Commercial Project Manager for Stadler, added: “We are thrilled to spot the UK’s archetypal FLIRT tri-mode participate rider work successful Wales. 

“These obstruction vehicles correspond a important leap guardant successful efforts to thrust decarbonization.”  

The project, which has been partially funded by the European Regional Development Fund done the Welsh Government, aims to make a greener, much businesslike transport web portion reducing c emissions.  

Price said: “We’ve been modernising and electrifying the railway lines for the past 3 years, and this signifies the adjacent signifier of the South Wales Metro.”