Construction begins on Class 397 EMUs for TPE

Construction has started in Spain on the new Class 397 Civity electric multiple units for TransPennine Express (TPE).

The 12-strong fleet of five-car ‘397s’ is destined for the Liverpool/ Manchester-Edinburgh/Glasgow routes, replacing the fleet of ten four-car Class 350/4s.

TPE Head of New Trains Robin Davis explained that testing of the first ‘397’ is due in the spring next year, with the first due in the UK in summer 2018. It will enter traffic in the early part of 2019.

In an interview with RAIL, Davis laid out the delivery plans for three new fleets that are due to be introduced from next year.

He said Hitachi Rail Europe will begin building the first of 19 Class 802 bi-mode trains in the autumn. This work follows on from construction of the Mk 5 coaches, the first painted bodyshell of which has been completed by Construcciones y Auxiliar Ferrocariles (CAF) at its factory in Beasain, northern Spain.

The 19 five-car ‘802s’ are destined for TPE’s new route to Edinburgh Waverley via the East Coast Main Line. The first train leaves Kasado (Japan) in March 2018, although without an interior. Testing of the ‘802’ fleet begins in August next year, and they will enter traffic in 2019.

Meanwhile, the first completed rake of Mk 5 coaches is due to move from Beasain to the Velim test track in the Czech Republic in the autumn, and will remain there until early-2018 for testing.

The first rake to arrive in the UK will be the second complete set built. In total, 13 are due to enter traffic from summer 2018. All are five-car fixed formations, with a spare driving trailer also delivered

Meanwhile, TPE starts leasing the first two of 14 Class 68s from Direct Rail Services this spring. These will undergo modifications to make them compatible with the CAF-built Mk 5s, and in particular the Driving Trailers. The two ‘68s’ will move to Velim to test with the first-built rake of coaches.

Back in the UK, training will take place using a rake of Mk 3s leased from Porterbrook, with this expected to start in October. They could yet be used in traffic as per Department for Transport specifications ( RAIL 823), but this would not use two Mk 3 Driving Van Trailers, and instead use a ‘68’ at each end of the train. ■ An interview with TPE’s Head of New Trains Robin Davis will appear in RAIL 826.

An artist’s impression of the CAF Class 397 electric multiple unit Construction hasbegun on the first EMU in Besain (Sapin) TransPennine Express will use them on trains between the North West and Scotland, with the EMUs into traffic in 2019. TPE