Tram-train

Britain’s first tram-train was launched in Sheffield on September 14 by Rail Minister Paul Maynard.

Stadler has dispatched seven tram-trains to the city, although they will be used as conventional trams on the Sheffield Supertram network until next year, when the trial route from Meadowhall to Rotherham (using the national network) is put into use.

The project is two years late, and a National Audit Office report found it was 401% over budget ( RAIL 828, 832).

Maynard named the first tram- train (399202) Theo, after the city’s Children’s Hospital Charity’s mascot.

Maynard claimed that it was the first of its kind in the country, and that it would transform services for passengers. He called the launch a significant milestone for the scheme, which he said was “on track to be completed next year”.

Interim Managing Director for Sheffield Supertram Tim Bilby said: “Today is an important day for all passengers travelling across the network, and is the next step towards the launch of tram-train services to Rotherham next year.”

The tram-trains have been designated Class 399s, and will enter traffic in regular service from October 2018.

The pilot, which was launched in 2008 initially on the Penistone line before being moved to Sheffield, was originally due to open in 2015. The plan now is for the trial to run for two years, during which time customer satisfaction, passenger numbers, reliability and costs will be measured. After that trial ends in 2020, tram-train will continue as a local service.