British Rail Class 756

{{Short description|Tri-mode multiple-unit passenger train}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}} {{Use British English|date=March 2017}} {{Infobox train | background = #AE0000 | name = British Rail Class 756 ''FLIRT'' | image = TfW Rail 756117 at Aberdare 19 November 2024.jpg | imagealt = | caption = Class 756 unit at Aberdare in November 2024 | interiorimage = TfW Rail 756117 interior 19 November 2024.jpg | interiorimagealt = | interiorcaption = Interior of a Class 756 unit | stocktype = | service = 15 November 2024-Present<ref name="entrytoservice">{{cite tweet |title= Another new class in service from today - two @tfwrail tri-mode Class 756s are in traffic on the Cardiff-Merthyr Tydfil and Cardiff-Aberdare routes - 4-cars 756107 and 756116. There are seven 3-cars and 17 4-cars in this fleet built by Stadler. 📷 TfW |user=todaysrailways |number=1857377099926942166 |access-date=15 November 2024 |publisher=@TodaysRailways}}</ref> | manufacturer = Stadler Rail | designer = | assembly = Stadler Bussnang AG | ordernumber = | factory = Bussnang, Switzerland<ref name="testbegin">{{cite news |title=Testing Begins on New FLIRTs for TfW |url=https://www.railvolution.net/news/testing-begins-on-new-flirts-for-tfw |access-date=27 December 2022 |work=Railvolution |publisher=Railway Public s.r.o. |date=29 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802160823/https://www.railvolution.net/news/testing-begins-on-new-flirts-for-tfw |archive-date=2 August 2021 |location=Praha |url-status=live}}</ref> | family = ''FLIRT'' | replaced = {{ubl|{{brc|150}}|{{brc|153}}|{{brc|769}}}} | yearconstruction = 2021–2023<ref name="pb4">{{cite book |last=Pritchard |first=Robert |title=British Railways Pocket Book No. 4: Electric Multiple Units |publisher=Platform 5 Publishing |year=2022 |isbn=978-1-909-43183-6 |edition=36th |location=Sheffield |pages=132–133}}</ref> | yearservice = | refurbishment = | yearscrapped = | numberconstruction = | numberbuilt = 24<ref name="entrytoservice"/> (7 × 756/0, 17 × 756/1) | numberservice = | numberpreserved = | numberscrapped = | predecessor = | successor = | formation = {{ubli|indent=1em|3-car units:{{efn|name=powerpack|The Power Pack is technically a fourth or fifth vehicle in these units, but as it contains no passenger accommodation it is excluded from the count of passenger cars.}}|{{abbr|DMS|Driver's cab, Motor car, Standard class (open saloon)}}-{{abbr|PP|Power Pack}}-{{abbr|PTSW|Pantograph, Trailer car, Standard class (open saloon), Wheelchair accommodation}}-DMS|4-car units:{{efn|name=powerpack}}|DMS-{{abbr|PTS|Pantograph, Trailer car, Standard class (open saloon)}}-PP-PTSW-DMS}} | diagram = | code = | fleetnumbers = {{ubl|756/0: 756001–756007|756/1: 756101–756117<ref name="pb4" />}} | capacity = {{ubl|3-car: 118 seats, plus 24 tip-up {{avoid wrap|and 148 standees}}|4-car: 158 seats, plus 32 tip-up {{avoid wrap|and 204 standees}}}} | owner = SMBC Leasing<ref>{{cite magazine |title= Time to take stock as the 'bubble' bursts…|magazine=Rail Magazine |issue=989|date=9 August 2023 |pages=42–47}}</ref> and Equitix<ref>{{cite web |title = Case Study: Wales & Borders – Commercial and Contract Management |url=https://apex-rail.com/casestudy/smfg |publisher = Apex Rail |access-date = 27 August 2025}}</ref> | operator = Transport for Wales Rail | depots = Canton (Cardiff) | lines = | carbody = Aluminium | trainlength = {{ubl|3-car: {{cvt|65.0|m|ftin}}|4-car: {{cvt|80.7|m|ftin}}}} | carlength = | width = {{ubl|Passenger vehicles: {{cvt|2.720|m}}|Power Pack: {{cvt|2.822|m}}<ref>{{cite book |title=Bi-Mode Multiple Unit - FLIRT - Greater Anglia, UK |date=27 August 2018 |publisher=Stadler Rail Group |location=Bussnang |url=https://www.stadlerrail.com/media/pdf/feabmu0819_en.pdf |access-date=1 August 2019 |ref=755datasheet |id=FEABMU0819e |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029170819/https://www.stadlerrail.com/media/pdf/feabmu0819_en.pdf |archive-date=29 October 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref>}} | height = {{cvt|3.915|m|ftin}} | lowfloor = | floorheight = {{convert|960|mm|ftin|abbr=on}} | platformheight = | entrylevelorstep = | doors = Double-leaf sliding plug, {{avoid wrap|each {{cvt|1.300|m|ftin}} wide}} (total 5 per side per 3-car, {{avoid wrap|7 per side per 4-car)}} | art-sections = | wheeldiameter = {{ubl|Powered: {{cvt|870|mm|in}}|Unpowered: {{cvt|760|mm|in}}}} | wheelbase = Bogies: {{cvt|2.700|m|ftin}} | maxspeed = {{convert|75|mph|km/h|0|abbr=on}} | weight = | axleload = | steep gradient = | traction = IGBT | engine = | enginetype = | displacement = | traction motors = | poweroutput = {{ubl|On AC power:|{{cvt|2600|kW}}|On battery power:|{{cvt|1300|kW}}|On diesel power:|{{cvt|480|kW}}}} | tractiveeffort = Maximum starting: {{convert|200|kN|lbf|abbr=on}} | acceleration = Maximum starting: {{cvt|1.1|m/s2|mph/s}} | deceleration = | aux = | powersupply = | hvac = | electricsystem = {{25 kV 50 Hz}} overhead | collectionmethod = Pantograph | uicclass = {{ubl|3-car: Bo′2′2′2′Bo′|4-car: Bo′2′2′2′2′Bo′}} | bogies = | minimum curve = | brakes = | safety = {{ubl|AWS|TPWS|(plus provision for ETCS)}} | coupling = | multipleworking = Within class (max. 2 units) | gauge = {{Track gauge|uksg|allk=on}} | notes = Sourced from <ref name="Stadler0922">{{cite book |title=FLIRT Trimodal Multiple Unit - Transport for Wales |date=6 September 2022 |publisher=Stadler Rail Group |location=Bussnang |id=FWBBMU0922e |url=https://www.stadlerrail.com/media/pdf/fwbtri0922e.pdf |access-date=3 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231029170851/https://www.stadlerrail.com/media/pdf/fwbtri0922e.pdf |archive-date=29 October 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> unless otherwise noted. }}

The '''British Rail Class 756 ''FLIRT'''''<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Transport for Wales Rail |user=tfwrail |number=1201451956268654592 |date=2 December 2019 |title=Lastly, our innovative tri-mode Metro trains which will enter service on the Rhymney, Coryton & Vale of Glamorgan lines in 2023, will be Class 756 }}</ref> is a class of tri-mode multiple units built for Transport for Wales Rail by Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler Rail. They are closely related to the {{brc|755}} bi-mode units delivered by Stadler to Greater Anglia between 2018 and 2020, which can be powered either by overhead electric lines or on-board diesel generators. The Class 756 units also carry batteries as an additional source of traction power.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 November 2024 |title=Tri-mode trains launch South Wales Metro electric services |url=https://www.railwaygazette.com/uk/tri-mode-trains-launch-south-wales-metro-electric-services/67896.article |access-date=12 January 2025 |website=Railway Gazette International }}</ref>

A total of 24 units were built, split between 7 three-car units and 17 four-car units.<ref name="entrytoservice" />

==History== The Wales & Borders rail franchise, awarded to KeolisAmey Wales with effect from 14 October 2018, included a commitment requiring that the operator oversee a full fleet replacement during the franchise period.<ref>{{cite news |title=KeolisAmey reveal new-look Wales trains and services |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-44316772 |work=BBC News |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |date=4 June 2018 |access-date=4 June 2018 |archive-date=27 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210127232051/https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-44316772 |url-status=live }}</ref> As part of this process, KeolisAmey placed an order with Stadler in February 2019 for the 24 FLIRT tri-mode units that came to be designated Class 756. The tri-mode capabilities are intended to facilitate operations over lines that have only been partially electrified. Production of the fleet was underway by mid-2021.<ref name="testbegin" />

The Class 756 officially entered service on 18 November 2024, and for consecutive days,<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 November 2024 |title=Britain's first Tri-mode trains enter service in Wales |url=https://www.railadvent.co.uk/2024/11/britains-first-tri-mode-trains-enter-service-in-wales.html |access-date=20 November 2024 |website=RailAdvent}}</ref> after initially entering service on one previous day of 15 November 2024.<ref name="entrytoservice"></ref>

==Operators== ===Transport for Wales=== Transport for Wales Rail Class 756 units currently operate services between Cardiff-Merthyr Tydfil, Cardiff-Aberdare and Cardiff-Treherbert.<ref name="entrytoservice"/>

It is expected that the Class 756 units will move across to the Rhymney Line from late 2025 as the Class 398 tram-trains enter service.<ref>{{Cite web |title=First electric trains to be introduced to South Wales Metro |url=https://news.tfw.wales/news/first-electric-trains-to-be-introduced-to-south-wales-metro |access-date=18 November 2024 |website=Transport For Wales News |language=english}}</ref>

==Technical details== Class 756 units have three or four passenger vehicles, along with a separate "Power Pack" vehicle near the centre of the unit that contains a diesel generator set and three battery modules.<ref name="shows">{{cite news |last1=Fender |first1=Keith |last2=Sherratt |first2=Philip |title=Stadler shows trains for the UK at InnoTrans |url=https://www.modernrailways.com/article/stadler-shows-trains-uk-innotrans |access-date=27 December 2022 |work=Modern Railways |publisher=Key Publishing |date=20 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220920152809/https://www.modernrailways.com/article/stadler-shows-trains-uk-innotrans |archive-date=20 September 2022 |location=Stamford |url-status=live}}</ref> The diesel generator produces {{cvt|480|kW|hp}}, while the batteries are capable of supplying up to {{cvt|1300|kW|hp}}.<ref name="Stadler0922" /> All vehicles are linked by unpowered Jacobs bogies, while the outermost bogie at each end of each unit carries the traction motors.<ref name="Stadler0922" />

The batteries use lithium-titanium-oxide chemistry, with the capacity of 447 kWh for 3-car units and 559 kWh for 4-car units.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 May 2025 |title=Class 756 battery chemistry - a Freedom of Information request to Transport for Wales Rail Limited |url=https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/request/class_756_battery_chemistry |access-date=7 June 2025 |website=WhatDoTheyKnow |language=en}}</ref>

==Fleet details== {| class="wikitable" !Subclass !Operator !Qty. !Year built !Passenger cars !Unit nos.<ref name="pb4" /> |- !756/0 |rowspan=2|Transport for Wales Rail |align=center|7 |align=center rowspan="2"|2021–2023 |align=center|3 |756001–756007 |- !756/1 |align=center|17 |align=center|4 |756101–756117 |}

===Illustration=== {{Wide image|TfW Class 756 4 Car w-pantograph.png|x80px|Illustration of a four-car Class 756 unit (based on concept art)}}

==See also== * British Rail Class 231 – A diesel multiple unit variant of the Stadler ''FLIRT UK'' platform also built for Transport for Wales Rail * British Rail Class 745 – An electric multiple unit variant of the Stadler ''FLIRT UK'' platform built for Greater Anglia * British Rail Class 755 – A bi-mode multiple unit variant of the Stadler ''FLIRT UK'' platform built for Greater Anglia

==Notes== {{notelist}}

==References== {{Commons}} {{reflist|40em}}

756 Category:Stadler Rail multiple units Category:Hybrid multiple units of Great Britain Category:25 kV AC multiple units Category:Train-related introductions in 2024 Category:Battery electric multiple units