Celtic Park to release its first EMU for Northern

The first CAF train for Northern assembled in the UK has been outshopped at the Spanish manufacturer’s factory at Celtic Park, Newport.

Four-car electric multiple unit 331111 will be the first set released from the south Wales facility. So far, all the Class 195 diesel multiple units and ‘331’ EMUs delivered to Northern for testing have been built in Spain (the DMUs at Irun and the EMUs at Zaragoza).

CAF spokesman Vicky Binley told RAIL that production of the fleets has now begun at the Welsh site, but declined to comment on how many were due to be released.

Northern has 58 DMUs and 43 EMUs on order, split into 25 twocar Class 195/0s, 33 three-car Class 195/1s, 31 three-car Class 331/0s and 12 Class 331/1s.

The latest sets delivered to Edge Hill for commissioning have been 195117 and 195118, both from Spain. This means 195001-003, 195102/103/105/107-118, 331001, 331101/102/105-108/110 are all in the UK.

The CAF trains for Northern are behind schedule. Originally three Class 195/1s were due into traffic by December 31 ( RAIL 865), but this was delayed due to mechanical issues (RAIL 869).

The operator had planned to put them into traffic from May, but this is now at risk following the discovery of problems with the inter-car couplings coming into contact with the bodies on tight bends. This stopped mileage accumulation and also training of drivers for a three-week period.

Northern still hopes to put four-car Class 331/1s into service from the May timetable change, when they are initially expected to operate between Leeds and Doncaster. The first ‘331’ has arrived at Neville Hill for driver training.

When introduced, the Class 195s will be used on the new Northern Connect services. Chester-Leeds is set to be first for the trains, with Blackpool-Manchester Airport likely to be first in the North West for the EMUs.