First Upgraded Class 175 DMU Back in Service for TfW
Transport for Wales is investing 40 million GBP (44.5 million euros | 50 million USD) in upgrading its fleet. 6.7 million GBP (7.5 million euros | 8.4 million USD) is going towards its 27 Class 175 DMUs.
Class 175 Interior Upgrade Works
The first of the 27 Alstom Coradia DMUs left the production line at Alstom’s Technology Centre in Widnes and it is already back in passenger service. The upgrade works include fitting the trains with USB and power sockets, re-upholstering the seats, and installing new carpets. Alstom has also been replacing table covers.
TfW Rail Services Customer Experience Director Colin Lea said:
“It’s fantastic to be able to deliver these improvements for customers, which they rightly expect to see on a modern railway network.
“We know being able to travel in comfort and charge devices on the go are incredibly important to our customers, whether they are travelling for 20 minutes or four hours, for business or pleasure.
“While we are investing more than 800 million GBP [890 million euros | 999 million USD] in brand new trains, they take time to build and we want our customers to have a comfortable experience right now.
“So this significant investment is another major step to building a better railway for current and future generations.”
Class 175 Exterior Upgrade Works
Since Transport for Wales inherited these 27 trains from Arriva Trains Wales, the upgrade works also include rebranding the trains in the TfW colours. Alstom manufactured the fleet between 1999 and 2001. Angel Trains has been the owner throughout.
TfW will replicate the investments it is putting into the 27 Class 175 trains on the other trains it operates. The total investment to upgrade the Class 175 fleet cost 6.7 million GBP. These works should be complete by the end of 2020. TfW will spend the remaining 33.3 million GBP (37 million euros | 41.5 million USD) over the coming months.
Piers Wood, Managing Director Rolling Stock and Services, Alstom UK, said:
“The Class 175s have been in successful service over the last twenty years, and thanks to our fantastic team at Widnes, will be back in service in top condition within twelve months. Widnes has enormous potential to grow and be a focal point for the rail industry in the North West and UK.”
