Looks like another unit (or perhaps more than one in multiple) is moving from Wolverton works to Laira tomorrow

https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/service/gb-nr:K45673/2025-10-29/detailed

Been reported elsewhere that units 175 111 and 175 115 are currently being hauled from storage at Ely to Wolverton works by locos 93006 and 93002

I don't see 5 car175s being a problem with the amount of units they will have available.

But experience tells me that 5car workings, formed of a 2car and a 3car can be prone to ending up as 4car or even 3car (or occasionally 6car) fairly often in Bristol area.    Operationally having 2 types combined to form a train seems to be too hard to do on a regular basis, unless you have both sizes available in a siding at start point.

Lack of inter-unit gangway could be a problem if working in multiple, especially on a route with short platforms or request stops; are they to be paired on peak Barnstaples? Probably wouldn't be able major issue on main line duties. I imagine the same issue arises when a 5-car Turbo formation serves Dilton Marsh, but at least that's a one-off stop.

With entrances into vestibules at the carriage ends, windows ok and interiors appropriately lit they made for a pleasant journey with TfL. Recollections of cheerful good-natured sociable passengers of all ages too, despite the services often being capacity constrained.

Mark

Apologies for asking what is probably a daft question, but I can see that they look relatively modern; presumably they are actually an improvement (from a passenger's perspective) over what they are replacing?

Apologies for asking what is probably a daft question, but I can see that they look relatively modern; presumably they are actually an improvement (from a passenger's perspective) over what they are replacing?

Apologies for asking what is probably a daft question, but I can see that they look relatively modern; presumably they are actually an improvement (from a passenger's perspective) over what they are replacing?

Although the first leg - Plymouth to Newton Abbot and return was cancelled!

175114+175009 on it's way to Penzance from Laira. May return to Laira by returning as far as Newton Abbot before reversing back.

Rumoured to be unit 175 003 and will be first time a GWR liveried one appears, unless it is in some new GBR colours

A 175 is due to come down from Wolverton tomorrow under what looks like it's own power. I'll be watching Dawlish Cams at 1603 if it runs.

175106/112 went yesterday to Wolverton.

175001/003/006/011/107/108 are already there; some since April.

One must be ready for Laira by now unless they are waiting to take 2/3 in one go.

OK, it's a long time ago, but I visited Torbay a lot from 1999 to 2005 and services to Exmouth were notorious for being overcrowded, especially during term-time.

...  I remember back at about the time this forum started, an FGW manager who had transferred from Wessex Trains explained to me the very high cost of adding a carriage to a peak train for just a single morning journey when declining for FGW to do anything to alleviate the problem.  Bad old days, perhaps ...

I recall commenting that a 2-carriage train full to bursting with angry passengers is more profitable/sustainable than a three carriage train with everyone having a seat.

 

I would ... suspect ... that there may be a burst-out of quite a few 175s from Wolverton just-in-time - perhaps the security there compared to Laira will allow them to enter traffic smart and with only official paintwork.   Having said which, I would suspect that the powers-that-be view of acceptable overcrowding may differ from the public view.   I remember back at about the time this forum started, an FGW manager who had transferred from Wessex Trains explained to me the very high cost of adding a carriage to a peak train for just a single morning journey when declining for FGW to do anything to alleviate the problem.  Bad old days, perhaps ...

21 August 2025 – Alstom, a global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, has signed a Technical Support and Spares Supply Agreement (TSSSA) with Great Western Railway (GWR) to assist the introduction of 26 Class 175 trains into service across the South West England.

Under the eight-year agreement, valued at approximately £75 million, Alstom will deliver ongoing maintenance support from GWR’s Laira depot in Plymouth. The contract supports more than 15 roles, including engineers, material planners and administrators, as well as many more in Alstom’s wider supply chain.

OK, it's a long time ago, but I visited Torbay a lot from 1999 to 2005 and services to Exmouth were notorious for being overcrowded, especially during term-time.

Doesn't seem to be any urgency, which seems inconsistent with rumours of HSTs ending in 16 weeks at December timetable change.

I can see three sheds with tracks into them - one short (72 m, roads 1-4), one longer (112 m, roads 5-6) and the "HST shed" (240 m, roads 7-10). So it looks as if the two smaller sheds, apart from road 1 that perhaps is no longer used, are being renovated for the 175s.

Last time I looked there were 2 very overgrown sidings alongside the line on north side.   There was also a very short depot building suitable for locos and power cars.   This seems to face opposite direction to many of the sidings in the open.    There wasn't really a building suitable for 3car DMUs where bogie or engine swaps and similar maintenance could be done quickly and efficiently.  There is a long building for IETs (which I suspect has no spare capacity for a DMU fleet as it is quite narrow)

There is a contract out to tender for "Laira Depot Enhancements as part of the Class 175 introduction". This is very briefly described as:

Submissions have closed, and the award date is set as 30th September 2025, so you can't even see the more detailed documents now. How much space there is at Laira before, during, or after this programme I have no idea, but it must make some difference!

(I thought I'd seen this posted already, but can't find it.)

Laira Depot Enhancements -

The purpose of the project is to increase operational capacity by modifying and enhancing existing facilities to support the introduction of Class 175 rolling stock following the withdrawal of the HST fleet.

The successful contractor will be responsible for carrying out the following upgrades at Laira Depot:

• Design and installation of infrastructure enhancements as detailed below.

• Design to be split into two sections Phase 1 (Road 2-4) and Phase 2 (Road 5-6) to reduce design approval delays due to complexity.

• Phase 1 Works to start following Phase 1 design AFC

• Phase 2 Works anticipated to start July 2026.
Total value (estimated)

    £3,000,000 including VAT

Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)

    20 October 2025 to 31 July 2026
    9 months, 12 days

According to Modern Railways-
https://x.com/modern_railways/status/1939627842465149298?s=61&t=VlafMC5gF9tidw36b1Y8JQ

I know a few have moved from storage near Ely, to Wolverton.  And some have been there many weeks now. 

A tender notice for the modification of Laira for '175s' and withdrawal of the Castle sets has been issued. Work set to begin next year.

No, they will be in GWR colours.  387’s were sub-leased, same as the SWT units, Casper carried no identifiable operator livery whereas the 175 fleet is operated by GWR. 

I don’t have the exact reason, just GWR have been told they run in TfW colours.  That could be a TfW or DafT stipulation, or that the future plan will see 175s working to Cardiff.

From a GWR social media feed yesterday


Will this be addressing the fundamental problem of staff shortages?   Do the  extra 175 units which used to run in Wales come with extra drivers who also used to drive in Wales?

Noting it's in red and white.

GWR colours - or just have the operator name changed?   We have had all sorts of trains running around in wrong liveries over the years - most recently some 387s in C2C livery, for example ... and for many years the morning Melksham to Swindon train was operated by a SWT unit.   153s at one time came in a variety of paint jobs such as Central Trains and Casper. Is there something difference in the legals this time around?

From a GWR social media feed yesterday


Will this be addressing the fundamental problem of staff shortages?   Do the  extra 175 units which used to run in Wales come with extra drivers who also used to drive in Wales?

Noting it's in red and white.

Have you spotted a different train operating on our network today?

You might have seen one of our incoming Class 175 trains – unit 175002 – running between Newton Abbot and Plymouth.

It’s part of the testing and training taking place before these trains join our Devon and Cornwall services. The trains will be phased into service from the end of this year to help boost reliability and performance across the wider GWR network

They will have to be put in GWR colours, and I'd guess they will choose to vinyl them as its the cheapest option.

Legally they can't run in their TfW livery.   

Hmm. 

Is there actually any need to remove vinyls, or change liveries on trains, or uniforms on staff?

They will still be the same stations, trains and staff - it's just the 'behind the scenes direction' that will change, so far as the wider travelling public will know.

It would be extremely wasteful to de-vinyl, repaint fleets of trains and refit thousands of railway staff with new uniforms - to prove what?  That doing that will 'make things better'? 

Quick question, as they are expected to run Exeter - Penzance... how Dawlish proof are they?

BTW, I agree with CfN on the repaint/vinyl issue. All they need is a GWR logo on the side for the time being, much in the way the C2C stock drafted in at the height of the cracking IET crisis did, or the Thames Trains liveried Turbos acquired FGW Link logos for a couple of years after termination of the former's franchise. Spend the time and money saved on more maintenance of the rest of the current fleet.

Confirming good news - but will it really "transform South West travel"?

Confirming good news - but will it really "transform South West travel"?

New GWR trains set to transform South West travel

Great Western Railway (GWR) is set to roll out a fleet of 26 Class 175 trains, replacing its ageing diesel fleet with a more efficient and environmentally friendly alternative. The move is expected to enhance punctuality and reliability for passengers while paving the way for future decarbonisation.

The fleet upgrade, which marks the first phase of GWR’s regional and suburban service improvements, will introduce 10 two-car and 16 three-car trains. These units will enter service in Devon and Cornwall later this year, with full deployment expected by the end of next year.

It would be extremely wasteful to de-vinyl, repaint fleets of trains and refit thousands of railway staff with new uniforms - to prove what?  That doing that will 'make things better'? 

Until Project Churchward comes to fruition I would imagine.

I would expect GWR vinyls but no full livery change given the amount of time the GWR direct award has to run.

There were 27 units, I think a couple of vehicles (from different units) have had accidents so guessing one unit will be a reform and the two vehicles will be spare parts doners

I wonder how long they will stay ... will there be a repaint program ... how will liveries go under GBR?

10 Mar 2025
Class 175 trains to help Great Western Railway improve reliability across the network[/b]

Great Western Railway (GWR) will welcome 26 Class 175 trains to its fleet to help improve punctuality and reliability for customers, replacing older diesel trains that are more expensive and less environmentally friendly to run. 

The move marks the first stage of the train operator’s plans to rejuvenate its regional and suburban services while preparing the way for decarbonisation.

The 10 two-car trains and 16 three-car trains are expected to start to enter service in Devon and Cornwall later this year, with the entire fleet expected to be operational from the end of next year.

Able to be connected in four, five and six-car formations, the trains will operate predominantly on the line between Exeter St Davids and Penzance, as well as to Barnstaple and Okehampton.

The Class 175s will release trains to improve performance in other areas of the network.

This boost to the fleet will lead to the removal of some of its oldest and least efficient diesel trains, which have become more expensive to maintain as spare parts become more difficult to find on the open market. 

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 the run-up to service launch, GWR will undertake a comprehensive programme of training for staff, as well as preparing Laira depot, where the trains will be maintained.

Dear [name]
 
We promised to keep you up to date with improvements in GWR rail services.
 
We have just issued the following media release here announcing that we will add 26 additional trains to our fleet – Class 175s – to improve performance and resilience across our network.
 
These will be used in Devon and Cornwall, and maintained at Laira Depot in Plymouth. Their introduction will also provide the trains needed for Mid-Cornwall Metro and MetroWest in the West of England, and allow us to ultimately remove our remaining Castle Class trains (our old High Speed Trains), which are our least efficient diesel trains and very expensive to continue maintaining.
 
There will need to be a period of driver and guard training and development, so their introduction will not be immediate, but this is really good news for our customers and we wanted you to know as soon as we had been given the official clearance to release the news.
 
I will of course make sure you are kept up to date on progress.
 
Best wishes
 
Tom
 
Thomas Lydon | Head of Public Affairs | Great Western Railway

Might this be a forerunner of making all Cornish services start/stop at Exeter St Davids I wonder?
Hopefully not.

Might this be a forerunner of making all Cornish services start/stop at Exeter St Davids I wonder?
Hopefully not.

Now duly added to the Coffee Shop forum's 'abbreviations & acronyms' page.

The correct name being CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles), the Spanish train manufacturer.

Or, as discussed, other trains will be shortformed.  There are still some trains running around as MULTIPLE units (IETs, Turbos and sprinters) - and it would be possible though unpleasant to inadequate - to provide shorter trains on some services.

At a Local forum this afternoon, GWR were insistent that the Castles will be withdrawn on the current expected date, so it looks as though the 175s will start...

‘More’ as in more from the existing fleet.

Which is May?

Or will more IET’s or other stock simply be drafted in for the interim?

At a Local forum this afternoon, GWR were insistent that the Castles will be withdrawn on the current expected date, so it looks as though the 175s will start...

I'm getting increasingly doubtful that the units will be in service before the end of the summer.

who I believe were Cheap As F***

I'm getting increasingly doubtful that the units will be in service before the end of the summer.