Flex for Wales
Five Porterbrook bi-mode units are to be introduced into Wales next year to cover for DMUs that are being modified.
FIVE Class 769 Flex trains will enter traffic with Arriva Trains Wales from next year. Converted from Class 319 electric multiple units, the bi-mode multiple units (BMUs) will be used to cover for ATW diesel multiple units that are being modified for disabled access.
The Welsh Government (WAG) is funding the trains, which will be leased from Porterbrook. WAG will provide £1.9 million for the trains, with ATW spending a further £1m.
ATW said the majority of the leasing charges are likely to be funded as part of the future franchise, and for that reason it “would not have been appropriate for ATW to fund the full costs”.
It is unconfirmed where the ‘769s’ will run, but ATW announced: “We will be committing these trains to where they have the greatest impact, which is likely to be commuter services into Cardiff. The likelihood is that the types of services they will operate will be short-distance commuter or inter-urban services.” The operator said that having studied its busiest routes, it was possible that where four-car BMUs are introduced, DMUs could be internally cascaded to other parts of Wales.
The ‘769s’ are expected to remain in Wales until at least 2021. By that time, a new Wales & Borders franchise will be up and running, and decisions made about the future of the Valleys.
Electrification of the routes remains in doubt. It has been speculated that Flex could be an option for additional capacity on the Valleys to replace existing Pacers and Class 150s, although trams, tram-trains and new-build EMUs are also options if the lines are wired.
Four of the five Class 769s will be in use at any one time, leading to an increase in capacity. Each four-car BMU is expected to replace a two-car DMU, with three DMUs likely to be away for modifications at any one time.
ATW said that Flex was needed because “customers need solutions which are fast and effective in order to help deal with our current capacity limitations”.
It called the BMU “a good interim solution which will improve experience in a much shorter period than the planned electrification and new rolling stock which is expected to be delivered under the new franchise”.
ATW said that its absolute priority was to get the bi-mode units into traffic as quickly as possible. Repainting them could potentially slow down that process, so it is likely they will remain in their existing Govia Thameslink Railway livery. They will not be fitted with First Class facilities, but will have USB sockets.
The maintenance regime for the ‘769s’ is still being developed, but ATW said that jobs are likely to be created.
This takes the number of Class 769 Flex ordered to 13, with Northern taking eight. Those for Northern must be ready for the May 2018 timetable, and work to convert the first two is under way at Wabtec Rail, Loughborough.