UK: GWR Adds 26 Class 175 Trains to Southwestern Fleet

Great Western Railway (GWR) has announced the introduction of 26 Class 175 trains to its Southwestern fleet.

The new trains are set to replace the operator’s current slew of older diesel trains, marking the beginning of the first stage of a full plan to reinvigorate its existing regional and suburban services.

Expected to be in operation by 2027; the 10 two-car trains and 16 three-car trains are capable of services of four, five and six-car formations, with the vehicles set to run on lines between Exeter St Davids & Penzance, as well as Barnstaple to Okehampton.

GWR has stated that it hopes the addition of the new Class 175 units will allow for the release of trains to improve performance in other areas of its 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.

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.