Plans to run electric only trains between Cardiff and London for major events at the Principality Stadium have been confirmed by rail operating company Great Western Railway.
It comes after GWR has carried out a test run of a Bombardier-made Electrostar train between Swindon and Cardiff - the first time an electric only train has passed through the Severn Tunnel.
GWR currently operates Hitachi hybrid trains on the London to South Wales route, which after Cardiff have to switch from electric to diesel mode to Swansea as electrification of the Great Western Mainline only goes as far west as the capital.
Read More: GWR boss wants electrification to reach Swansea
The 12-car class 387 electric trains from Bombardier have 700 seats, 52 more than the existing South Wales to Paddington electric-diesel Hitachi Intercity Express Train (IET) fleet.
GWR intends to operate Electrostar trains, alongside IETs, on international match days at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff as well as for concert events. However, due to the continuing pandemic, it said it couldn’t say when the new service would be introduced, although it has ruled out launching for Wales’ autumn internationals.
GWR said it is also exploring an electric only service between Cardiff and London on weekends.
GWR managing director Mark Hopwood said: “This is a long-term ambition, to help provide additional capacity when ‘big-ticket’ items in the city require it. The pandemic has obviously slowed the need for such services, but we have been working closely with our colleagues at Network Rail to be able to fulfil this ambition.
“Our IET fleet has always been capable of coping with the majority of demand on the Cardiff to London corridor for these events – the benefit of using 387sis that we can provide more seats without having to reduce IET services elsewhere to provide them.”
GWR said it has worked closely with Network Rail to bring the operation of Class 387s to and from South Wales to fruition.
Network Rail’s Wales and Border route director Bill Kelly said: “Delivering electrification through the Severn Tunnel last year was a huge achievement for Network Rail and has resulted in thousands of extra seats, more frequent services and quicker and greener journeys for passengers as they travel to and from South Wales.
“It is great to see GWR has moved another step closer in providing an additional, all-electric passenger service for large-scale events in Cardiff off the back of our electrification work.”
