The Department for Transport looks set to approve the transfer of the Angel Trains Class 175 fleet for use by Great Western Railway, although GWR has stopped short of confirming the moves.
GWR Media Relations Manager James Davis told RAIL: “There are certainly some rumours going around about the ‘175s’. However, we are not in a position to say much at all at the moment, aside from we are always looking at options to enhance our fleet and the services we are able to offer to customers.”
The DfT did not respond to RAIL’s request for a comment.
The Alstom units, built as recently as 1999-2000, were retired by Transport for Wales last year following the introduction of new Class 197 and ‘231’ fleets. The 16 three-car and 11 two-car diesel multiple units have been in store ever since.
Their transfer to GWR will allow the operator to withdraw the last of its remaining ‘Castle’ Class short HSTs - now used exclusively in Devon and Cornwall. It will also allow redeployment of other units to strengthen other trains and provide more seats, while some Class 150s could be returned to their owner (also Angel Trains).
The trains would most likely be based at Laira (Plymouth) and work in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall. Some routes may require gauge clearance and possibly some alterations to lineside structures to allow the trains to run.
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