Great Western Railway has announced it is to bring into service 26 Class 175 trains to replace older diesel trains.
This is the first stage of GWR’s project to rejuvenate its regional and suburban services.
10 two-car trains and 16 three-car trains are expected to enter service in Devon and Cornwall later this year, with the entire fleet expected to be in service next year.
The Class 175s, previously in service with Transport for Wales, will be able to operate in four, five and six car formations and will be used predominantly on the Exeter St Davids – Penzance route as well as between Barnstaple and Okehampton.
The 175s will then release trains to improve performance on other areas of the network.
GWR Managing Director, Mark Hopwood, said: “The benefits of these trains will be felt by customers across the whole of the GWR network. With more trains we will have more scope to increase resilience where it is needed most, delivering the reliability our communities deserve and need.
Responses
Please please please GWR, give them a more inspiring livery than the normal drab GWR green, that livery is so out of date now and GWR needs a fresher brighter image.
I can remember seeing the 175s during their time under Arriva and TfW ownerships whilst on holiday in North Wales. I’m glad they are going to another TOC and not to the scrapyard. In my opinion, whilst I bet they will look very nice in GWR livery, they (and the other TfW stock) looked ace in the Arriva blue livery
Hello So I’m assuming they won’t be Running On The Paignton to exmouth and beyond Route ?
Well the Barnstaple trains continue from Exeter to Paignton & Exmouth unless they have a different timetable
Thank you John