Northern’s fleet
The first Class 195 DMUs and Class 331 EMUs bound for Northern are taking shape in Spanish factory.
THE first Class 195 diesel multiple units (DMUs) and ‘331’ electric multiple units (EMUs) for Northern are taking shape in Spain.
It is the first of 281 new vehicles on order for Northern. Funded by Eversholt Rail, the £492 million order was placed after Arriva won the franchise. Forty-three EMUs and 55 diesel multiple units are on order, with the first arriving in the UK in spring 2018 and entering traffic in December next year.
CAF ªConstrucciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles) is building them at its Irun and Zaragoza factories. Upon completion, the first new trains will move to the Velim test track in the Czech Republic. This will include both DMU and EMU trains, as well as the integration of the unit systems for functionality.
“The new trains, and the technology on board them, mean a whole new maintenance regime - there will be fewer spanners and more software updates,” said Northern Engineering Director Ben Ackroyd.
“While the new trains are being built, we also have to make major updates to the depots and train the employees who will be undertaking that work at Allerton near Liverpool and Newton Heath near Manchester. In addition, we have to get all of our on-train crews trained, ready to take the units into service in December 2018.”
Allerton and Newton Heath depots are to be updated for the trains.
The bodyshells are aluminium with open gangways, and will have one-third, two-third double-leaf doors supplied by IFE. Northern said these doors are designed to maximise space for exit and entry. Fainsa seating will be fitted, while power sockets will be fitted to each pair of seats.
CAF running gear and bogies will be fitted, while the trains will use Dellner couplers. They will all be air-conditioned and capable of 100mph. MTU is supplying power packs for the Class 195 DMUs, and these will have a ZF transmission and final drive assembly. The EMU will have an ABB transformer with CAF traction package.
All trains will be equipped with free WiFi and passenger information screens. There will be TFT screens rather than scrolling displays, and these will be linked to the Darwin system to give up-to-
the-minute running information for passengers. CCTV will also be fitted. All 98 trains will be in traffic by December 2019.
“This is a once in a generation chance to significantly improve the quality of rail services in the North. The introduction of these units will contribute to increasing our fleet and our overall capacity, bringing more flexibility and allowing us to offer more and faster services,” said Ian Hyde, Northern’s head of new trains.
Eversholt Rail Chief Operating Officer Andy Course said: “We have invested £492m in these new trains, which are a fantastic addition to our growing portfolio. We are working hard with Northern to help get them into service as quickly as possible, to offer a much-improved service to their passengers.”
CAF UK Project Manager Jose María Muguruza said: “The aim is to have reliable trains with a high performance and an aesthetic design to provide the best possible service to the passengers. All the key stakeholders - ORR, Network Rail, SNC-Lavalin - are deeply involved in the approvals process and have been very collaborative, helpful and supportive during the entire process.”