The Anonymous Widower

Steaming Up To Treforest In A Class 143 Train

On my trip to Treforest, I was in a Class 143 train or one of the dreaded Pacers.

It was performing well on the challenging route and I wondered how the power compared with that of the proposed tram-trains, that will be used in a couple of years.

Class 143 Train

• Speed – 75 mph
• Sections – 2
• Weight – 48.5 tonnes
• Length 31 metres
• Power – 336 kW
• Capacity – 122 seats
• Gross Weight (90 Kg per passenger) – 49.6 tonnes
• Kinetic Energy At Operating Speed – 7.7 kWh
• Time to Operating Speed At Full Power – 1.5 minutes

The train I was on was pretty smooth! Or for a Pacer anyway!

Class 399 Tram-Train

• Speed – 62 mph
• Sections – 3
• Weight -66.15 tonnes
• Length – 37.2 metres
• Power – 870 kW
• Capacity – 88 seats and 150 standing.
• Gross Weight (90 Kg per passenger) – 87.6 tonnes
• Kinetic Energy At Operating Speed – 9.3 kWh
• Time to Operating Speed At Full Power – 6 minutes

These figures are taken from details of the tram-trains in Sheffield.

The two trains are very similar in some respects, but the tram-train is heavier with a full load of passengers.

I certainly can see no reason, why the Class 399 tram-train won’t perform as well as the lass 143 train, but with a bigger and heavier load of passengers.

But one important factor should be born in mind.

The German cousins of the Class 399 tram-trains are used in Karlsruhe, where they easily climb out of the city into the surrounding hills.

A trip up the valleys to Aberdate, Merthyr Tydfil or Treherbert could be no more difficult, once the electrification is in place.

Conclusion

I can see other cities and tram networks around the UK, Europe and the wider world developing urban transport networks around these Stadler tram-trains.

UK cities for their deployment must include Manchester and Sheffield.

July 25, 2019 - Posted by AnonW | Transport/Travel | Class 399 Tram-Train, Pacer, South Wales Metro