Great Western Railway (GWR) has announced the addition of 26 Class 175 trains to its fleet, a move aimed at significantly improving punctuality and reliability for passengers across its network, particularly in Devon and Cornwall.
The new trains, replacing older, less efficient diesel units, represent the first phase of GWR’s strategy to revitalise its regional and suburban services while progressing towards decarbonisation. The fleet comprises 10 two-car and 16 three-car trains, expected to begin entering service later this year, with full operational capability projected by the end of 2025.
These versatile trains, capable of being coupled in four, five, and six-car formations, will predominantly operate on the Exeter St Davids to Penzance line, as well as services to Barnstaple and Okehampton.
The introduction of the Class 175s will also free up existing trains, allowing GWR to enhance performance in other areas of its network. Furthermore, this initiative will facilitate the removal of some of the operator’s oldest and least efficient diesel trains, which have become increasingly expensive to maintain due to the scarcity of spare parts.
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.
“They are a fantastic addition to our fleet and will provide a welcome boost as we seek to rejuvenate our regional and suburban services.
“We’d like to thank our industry partners, and the Department for Transport, for helping us get to this point and we look forward to welcoming the trains into service later this year.”
Chair of the Peninsula Rail Taskforce, Councillor Andrea Davis, said: “Rail services are a big part of our climate change and economic development offer, and we have been campaigning for extra rolling stock for some time.
“It is also great to hear that the additional trains will mean improvements to services elsewhere across the GWR network, but I am especially delighted with the news for Devon and Cornwall.”
In preparation for the service launch, GWR will conduct comprehensive staff training and prepare its Laira depot for the maintenance of the new trains.
