In 2008, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced plans to operate a trial tram-train service using the Penistone line in South Yorkshire.

Careful scrutiny is to be applied to the service's reliability and popularity; in the long run, the determined level of success could be a decisive factor on the further implementation of tram-train technology across the country.

A Network Rail spokesman stated at the time that the project would be delayed until 2017 and attributed this to the organisation having to wait for the needed permission of the transport secretary to carry out the construction of new track at Tinsley.

[14] Speaking at the time, Network Rail referred to the complexity present in elements of the design and planning of the envisioned tram-train operations, and that a thorough review of the programme was in the process of being conducted by the organisation and SYPTE.

[5] In November 2016, while in the midst of a review of the associated programme of works, it was announced that full tram-train services would commence in summer 2018, having encountered factors which had necessitated yet another delay.

It also found there to have been a "high level of risk and uncertainty" and ""unacceptable cost increases and delays", while the DfT were criticised for failing to question if the project still offered value for money or fulfilled its goals.

The primary purpose of the type is to operate the tram-train service between Sheffield and Rotherham; as such, it is designed to run on both the National Rail and Supertram networks.

They are bi-directional units, which eliminates any need for turnaround facilities to be installed; rear-view camera displays are also present in the driver's cab for improved visibility and situational awareness.

While the APC provides an automated process for this, there is a manual override allowing the driver to close the circuit breaker if circumstance ever requires this to be done.

[5] When travelling on the Supertram network, signals are primarily provided to the driver visually; the tram-trains also make use of the same vehicle identification system (VIS) as used by the conventional trams.

In addition, for compatibility with running upon the National Rail network, the tram-trains are fitted with Train Protection & Warning System (TPWS) and GSM-R equipment.

[5] The design team collaborated with the University of Huddersfield, to develop a specially-designed wheel that fits both rail head profiles, which is claimed to reduce the rate of wear and mitigate against the risk of derailment.

However, as the wheel profile was non-standard, permission had to be obtained from the Rail Safety and Standards Board before the new design could be adopted and subject to real-world testing.

[5] As a result of the vehicles being operated upon a heavy rail line, they are subject to higher crashworthiness standards than had been imposed upon the rest of Supertram's fleet.