Transport for Wales (TfW) has announced the completion of work to refurbish its fleet of Class 175 long-distance trains. These are the sets we usually see on the Cardiff Manchester services. It has been a feature of recent services that only 2 coach sets have been used on some services instead of the expected 3 coach sets.
Train manufacturer Alstom has been working to refurbish the 27 trains at their Technology Centre in Widnes, Cheshire. This has been going on since 2019. The trains have also been rebranded on the outside with TfW’s grey and red livery. Internal work included including re-covered seats, new carpets and new interior fittings, new toilet seats, USB and electric charging points,
The Class 175s form the backbone of TfW’s express services, operating services across the Wales and Borders network through South, North and West Wales and the Borders. In due course they will be replaced with the new class 197 sets, occasionally seen in Chester and Crewe, and also locomotive hauled coach trains. The future of the 157 sets remains open to speculation. They are reliable equipment, an
d will find a new home elsewhere.
Work to refurbish the Class 153 and 158 fleets is nearing completion, and work is also ongoing to refurbish the Class 150 Sprinter trains.
You can see the TfW press release here: https://news.tfw.wales/news/tfw-celebrate-completion-of-gbp-40m-class-175-refurbishment-work
