Alstom has secured an eight-year contract worth GBP 75 million (EUR 90 million) to provide technical support and spares for the reintroduction of 26 Class 175 trains into Great Western Railway’s (GWR) fleet. The agreement is set to boost services across South West England, improving punctuality and reliability for passengers in Devon and Cornwall.
The Technical Support and Spares Supply Agreement (TSSSA) will see Alstom deliver maintenance support from GWR’s Laira depot in Plymouth. The contract will sustain more than 15 roles, including engineers, planners and administrators, alongside further positions within Alstom’s wider supply chain.
The first trains are scheduled to enter service later this year following recommissioning and driver training. Owned by Angel Trains, the Class 175 diesel multiple units (DMUs) will primarily serve regional routes linking Exeter St Davids, Penzance, Barnstaple and Okehampton.
Peter Broadley, Business Development Director at Alstom, said:
We are delighted to be partnering with Great Western Railway and Angel Trains to bring the Class 175 fleet back into service. With our extensive expertise as the original manufacturer and long-standing maintainer of these trains, we are well placed to ensure their smooth reintroduction and continued reliability.
Class 175 fleet: Strengthening regional services
Built between 1999 and 2001 at Alstom’s Birmingham facility, the Class 175 fleet previously operated with Transport for Wales before being returned off-lease in 2024. GWR signed the agreement to lease the trains earlier this year, as part of a wider investment in renewing its fleet.
Dr Simon Green, Engineering Director for Great Western Railway, commented:
“We are really pleased to be able to reach agreement with Alstom to support this major investment in our train fleet. The Class 175 are a welcome addition to the GWR train fleet and will provide a tangible boost as we seek to rejuvenate our regional and suburban services.”
The trains, which can operate in four, five or six-car formations, will enable GWR to retire some of its oldest and least efficient diesel units, thereby improving performance, passenger comfort and operational efficiency. The move also supports the operator’s long-term plans to prepare for decarbonisation.
Industry collaboration
Angel Trains, which owns the fleet, emphasised the importance of collaboration between industry partners.
David Jordan, Chief Operating Officer at Angel Trains, said:
“We’re pleased to support Great Western Railway as they work to further improve the passenger experience. In partnership with GWR and Alstom, the reintroduction of the Class 175 fleet will provide additional capacity and improved reliability that will benefit customers across the network.”
Digital monitoring with HealthHub
The Class 175s will be the first GWR fleet to incorporate Alstom’s HealthHub digital solution. The technology enables condition-based and predictive maintenance by capturing and transmitting data every 30 seconds across more than 200 parameters—including speed, interior temperature and GPS location.
This real-time monitoring allows maintenance teams to detect issues early, helping prevent service disruptions and improving reliability for passengers.
Share on:
