Northern to introduce first new trains from December
THE first of Northern’s 98 new trains will enter traffic in December.
Managing Director David Brown told RAIL on October 9 that the plan is for them to be fed into the Northern fleet through the winter, ahead of the May timetable change. He said they will be needed at that point as more services are being introduced.
Brown described the trains, which were unveiled at Edge Hill on October 4, as “like chalk and cheese” compared with the fleets they are replacing. He confirmed that although the last of the 98 new-build trains won’t enter traffic until 2020, the final Northernoperated Pacers will be withdrawn as planned by the end of next year.
The Northern deal is for 55 diesel multiple units and 43 electric multiple units. There are 30 two-car Class 195/0s and 25 three-car Class 195/1 DMUs, and 31 three-car Class 331/0 EMUs and 12 four-car Class 331/1s.
Brown said that the EMUs would be based at Allerton and the DMUs at Newton Heath, where a new
facility is being built.
He added that testing is under way and that while one or two issues have been detected, there have been no “red flags”.
So far 195001/003, 195103/105, 331001 and 331101 are in the UK.
The £500 million fleet is being funded by Eversholt Rail Group, and is the largest European order
received by manufacturer CAF. The trains are being built in northern Spain, although bodyshells for ‘195s’ have arrived at the company’s Newport assembly facility.
Brown said that the intention remains for them to be built in Spain, but that some are likely to be finished in Wales. This affords CAF
the opportunity to deliver more sets quicker, he said.
MP for Rossendale and Darwen Jake Berry said: “These spacious, comfortable and modern new trains are a clear demonstration of both the Government and train operator’s commitment to the Northern Powerhouse, and putting passengers at the heart of everything we do.”
Eversholt Rail Client Relations Director Steve Timothy said: “We are delighted to see our new trains built by CAF in Liverpool today, on the verge of entering passenger service with Northern. We hope Northern’s customers will enjoy travelling on them in due course.”
CAF UK Director Richard Garner
added: “The official launch of our trains is the culmination of a successful collaboration between our company, Northern and Eversholt Rail.
“It is extremely gratifying to know that in just a few months’ time the first customers will experience our high-quality, high-performance trains on this important and busy rail network across the north of England.”
Transport Focus Director David Sidebottom said: “This essential new rolling stock will bring a welcome improvement and muchneeded capacity to Northern’s network, in the form of a more modern, reliable fleet.
“Having seen them, I am pleased
to say the new Northern Class 195 and ‘331’ trains offer passengers well-spaced, comfy seating with decent legroom, drop-down tables and good information in carriages with plenty of natural light.
“We look forward to measuring better passenger satisfaction once these trains complete all their testing and appear on the network in December.”