Trains will return to the South West following a £75 million deal to improve the reliability, comfort and efficiency of journeys on the regional rail network for passengers. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Trains Return to the South West in £75 Million Upgrade
Class 175 (Credit – Great Western Railway)

The fully-battery-powered GWR trains are converted from 26 Class 150/2 two-car diesel units with the support of Great Western Railway (GWR) and Alstom. The eight-year deal also provides technical support and spare parts to keep the fleet in service.

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However, the trains, which are owned by Angel Trains, will be overhauled and put back into passenger service later this year. The contract will protect more than 15 jobs at GWR’s depot in Plymouth in Laira, and in the supply chain.

These diesel units were constructed in Birmingham from 1999 to 2001 and used to be ran by Transport for Wales. GWR took out a temporary lease on the fleet in March this year and they got them ready for new routes and new schedules right across the South West.

Peter Broadley, Business Development Director at Alstom, pointed out the company’s strong background, explaining the company are “well placed to ensuring smooth reintroduction and reliability” into service.

New Trains for Better Regional Connections

The refurbished fleet will be deployed on regional services, such as Exeter St Davids, Penzance, Barnstaple and Okehampton. Their adaptable set-up (four- to six-car), will replace some of GWR’s older trains, offering a better customer experience.

These enhancements are “a very welcome boost” for services said GWR’s Engineering Director, Simon Green, and mean that passengers will “feel the benefit of our ongoing investment in updating and modernising the railway across the network.”

Digital Upgrades for Better Performance

The trains will also be the first in GWR’s fleet to use Alstom’s HealthHub system, which delivers real-time data for more than 200 operational components every 30 seconds. It allows predictive maintenance to lessen the impact of breakdowns and maximise performance.

With Alstom holding over 35,500 rail cars in operation around the world, it is known for its cutting-edge control systems and proficiency in running contemporary rail services.

Source: www.devonlive.com

Why are trains being reintroduced in the South West?

The trains are back to improve the reliability and comfort of passengers, replacing older versions on linchpin routes as part of the new £75m partnership between Alstom, GWR, and Angel Trains.

What routes will see these enhancements?

They will run on regional lines like Exeter St Davids to Penzance and Barnstaple to Okehampton, making services more efficient and trains more comfortable for passengers.

What role will digital technology play in running the trains?

The fleet will be fitted with Alstom’s HealthHub, a digital monitoring system that sends real-time performance data. This is important for the predictive maintenance of the railroads and decreases downtime/delays and increases reliability to the public.

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