Great Western Railway has struck a £75m maintenance deal with French-owned transport systems business Alstom.
Under the eight-year agreement, Alstom will assist with the introduction of Class 175 trains into service across the South West. The 26-strong fleet will replace older trains and will cut costs and pollution, GWR said.
The contract, which supports more than 15 direct jobs, will see Alstom deliver ongoing maintenance from GWR’s Laira depot in Plymouth.
The first trains are expected to enter passenger service later this year, following recommissioning and driver training. Owned by Angel Trains, the Class 175s will predominantly operate on "key regional routes", including services between Exeter St Davids, Penzance, Barnstaple and Okehampton.
“We are delighted to be partnering with Great Western Railway and Angel Trains to bring the Class 175 fleet back into service," said Peter Broadley, business development director at Alstom.
"With our extensive expertise as the original manufacturer and long-standing maintainer of these trains, we are well placed to ensure their smooth reintroduction and continued reliability,”
The Class 175 diesel multiple units (DMUs) were built by Alstom between 1999 and 2001 in Birmingham. Previously operated by Transport for Wales until 2024, GWR signed the lease for the fleet in March this year.
“We are really pleased to be able to reach agreement with Alstom to support this major investment in our train fleet," said Dr Simon Green, engineering director for Great Western Railway.
"The Class 175 are a welcome addition to the GWR train fleet and will provide a tangible boost as we seek to rejuvenate our regional and suburban services.”
Able to be connected in four, five and six-car formations, the Class 175s will boost the GWR fleet and lead to the removal of some of its oldest and least efficient diesel trains.
The move comes as the train operator plans to rejuvenate its regional and suburban services, while preparing the way for decarbonisation.
"The Class 175 fleet will provide additional capacity and improved reliability that will benefit customers across the network,” added David Jordan, chief operating officer at Angel Trains.
