Rail operator, Northern, is beginning the procurement process for up to 450 new trains for their network.
The Tender, which is viewable on the UK Government website, states that the objective of the tender is to enter into a framework agreement for the manufacture and supply of new trains and the associated support and spares supply.
This will allow Northern Trains Limited to withdraw and replace a significant quantity of its aging fleet.
The government document says that the framework agreement may see up to 450 units procured, though this may be across multiple call-offs.
The first call off contract will be entered into with the framework agreement and are for ‘multi-mode' multiple units
It is anticipated that the successful company will offer new rolling stock with a minimum life of 35 years and couple be converted to become electric multiple units or battery multiple units, with future phases being electric / battery powered from new.
Northern has, in the past few years, withdrawn its Pacer trains and introduced new CAF Class 195 Diesel Multiple Units and Class 331 Electric Multiple Units.
The Government document states requests to participate in the tender can be sent in up until the 25th September 2023.
What do you think of this? Let us know in the comments below.
i find the class 195 to be very noisy and clunky – for new units there doesn’t seem to much sound insulation on these units.
I’m really disappointed with the new CAF units, they bounce around all over the place to the point I’m disappointed when they turn up now. It’s like a long distance tram. Hopefully this mistake isn’t replicated.
I would expect that the new trains have level boarding and accessibility improvements also, such as that provided by the Stadler FLIRT.
Why keep the dreadful 319 units?
The class 319s will not be kept and are due for withdrawl when class 323s from the west midlands are able to transfer up.
Maybe CAF could manufacture more Class 195s to replace the Class 153, Class 155, Class 156 and to Northern retain the Class 158 and Class 170. And Northern to keep the Class 333 and Class 319 but to order more Class 331. Other suggestions would be for Northern to replace the entire fleet with new electric and Bi-mode trains (except retaining the Class 319, Class 195 and Class 331 Civity). And to transfer the Class 156, Class 158 and Class 333 to ScotRail. And the Class 769 to be cascaded to Transport for Wales.
Why would ScotRail need all those new trains. Plus Northern are not getting rid of the Class 333.
Andrew is well known all over the Internet for sticking his nose into subjects he doesn’t understand at all. I would have thought he would have learnt by now to only comment on things he does understand.
Yeah and so what.
Good news, but please fit decent seats and not the awful ironing boards that pass for seats on the 195 and 331 units and are being retro fitted to class 158s.
Over many years, I recall that the smoothest carriages had the type of suspension that the actual coach body sat on large rubber “inflated tyres” design within the bogie. They were many years in advance of other UK bogies but decades behind the rubber wheeled Paris Metro system.
Having trains with outside frame bogies and a decent suspension system, unlike the cheap bogies fitted to the CAF 195 and 331 units, would improve passenger comfort.
Agreed Nina, one toilet is a hugely risky as a single-point failure, and corridor connections are much better for passengers.
This is good news, and it.would make sense to buy compatible CAF units. But 2 mistakes withe the.195s and 331s need correcting. The units should have end corridor connections so that when 2 units are coupled together, they become one through train ( as with CAF units for WM and Cymru); and they must have a minimum of 2 toilets , whether 2 or 3 car.
They should all be battery/electric