Class 175s to GWR

[tfw756rider]

The work has been underway for a significant amount of time now and I'm very eager to see what they've done with the units. I would assume that the GWR PIS will be loaded into the 175s there as it wouldn't make sense to have the TfW announcements working on a GWR service!

Indeed!

 

[Goldfish62]

The work has been underway for a significant amount of time now and I'm very eager to see what they've done with the units. I would assume that the GWR PIS will be loaded into the 175s there as it wouldn't make sense to have the TfW announcements working on a GWR service!

I do hope that they're not repainted /vinyled into the turgid GWR livery. Turning the red bits green would do, I reckon. But then I'm perhaps in the minority in that I like the TfW livery!

 

[tfw756rider]

“Withdrawn” is a specific term that applies to vehicles de-registered. The 175s have been off-leased by TfW; they are not withdrawn, as they are still registered on R2.

As I understand it, trains are withdrawn from an operator when they stop being operated by them. Therefore, the way I see it is that the 175s were withdrawn from Transport for Wales in 2023, and later off-leased from them in 2025. What's "R2"?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Aug 2025 ==

I do hope that they're not repainted /vinyled into the turgid GWR livery. Turning the red bits green would do, I reckon. But then I'm perhaps in the minority in that I like the TfW livery!

I do wonder what they'll look like, seeing as Great Western Railway only have anything from 1 to 3 years left.

 

[Wyrleybart]

As I understand it, trains are withdrawn from an operator when they stop being operated by them. Therefore, the way I see it is that the 175s were withdrawn from Transport for Wales in 2023, and later off-leased from them in 2025. What's "R2"?

I believe the aviation fraternity use WFU and PWFU, representing withdrawn from use and permanently withdrawn from use, as well as a code for stored which I cannot remember.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Aug 2025 ==


I do wonder what they'll look like, seeing as Great Western Railway only have anything from 1 to 3 years left.

Only a guess but I am guessing they be vinyled or painted the same livery as the 150/2s from Wolverton. If XC is anything to go by with their repaints of 170s and 22x, the impending "Nationalisation" under GBR seems irrelevant, as I have heard XC will be the final TSC to pass to the nascent GBR in around 18 months time.

If

 

[HamworthyGoods]

As I understand it, trains are withdrawn from an operator when they stop being operated by them. Therefore, the way I see it is that the 175s were withdrawn from Transport for Wales in 2023, and later off-leased from them in 2025. What's "R2"?

Trains are withdrawn when they are de-registered from the national rolling stock library (and no longer valid to move around on the national network).

 

[tfw756rider]

I believe the aviation fraternity use WFU and PWFU, representing withdrawn from use and permanently withdrawn from use, as well as a code for stored which I cannot remember.

Only a guess but I am guessing they be vinyled or painted the same livery as the 150/2s from Wolverton. If XC is anything to go by with their repaints of 170s and 22x, the impending "Nationalisation" under GBR seems irrelevant, as I have heard XC will be the final TSC to pass to the nascent GBR in around 18 months time.

Thanks for your responses

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Aug 2025 ==

Trains are withdrawn when they are de-registered from the national rolling stock library (and no longer valid to move around on the national network).

I've been talking about the 175s being withdrawn from their previous operator (Transport for Wales - TfW). This happened in 2023, when they stopped using them in passenger service.

The only reason I brought it up in the first place was because of the incorrect statement in the RAIL article about the support agreement between Alstom and Great Western Railway (GWR), that should've said 2023 rather than (2025) - again, even though they were off-leased in 2025, they stopped being operated in passenger service by TfW = withdrawn from TfW in 2023, so 2023 is the year the article should've stated.

I've not been talking about "withdrawal" in any other sense, such as their "de-registration" from "R2" or "the national rolling stock library" (which won't happen until after they've been withdrawn from GWR). Only their withdrawal from TfW, and I think it should be understood what I mean by that.

 

[Snow1964]

Units 001, 003, 107, 108 went to Wolverton in mid March

5.5 months later, and none of the 175s have yet emerged.
Suggests having bit more than just a repaint and retrim.
Either that or they are being hidden pending a launch.

To put the 5.5 months into perspective, I understand that the British Airways planes getting reconfigured cabins with new seats, and overhaul take less than 2 months each at Cardiff, although first one took bit longer.

 

[Parallel]

Did the 175s ever work the HoW in passenger service? I thought they were only cleared to run ECS along it, mainly to get "back to base" whenever the southern Marches line was closed.

They did, yes. I took this photo after alighting at Ffairfach in 2018.

 

[Wyrleybart]

I've not been talking about "withdrawal" in any other sense, such as their "de-registration" from "R2" or "the national rolling stock library" (which won't happen until after they've been withdrawn from GWR). Only their withdrawal from TfW, and I think it should be understood what I mean by that.

I assume the 175s will eventually be replaced by the fruits of project Churchward whenever that materialises. So if DfT / GBR eventually choose rolling stock designs, and order them in maybe late 2026. Those railcars might start appearing in 2029, with maybe the 175s lasting until 2032ish ?

 

[DelW]

They did, yes. I took this photo after alighting at Ffairfach in 2018.

Thanks for that, must have been a pretty rare occurrence but a big improvement on the usual stock!

 

[Wilts Wanderer]

I am aware through anecdotal evidence that on the first occasion a 175 worked a HoWL passenger service, many moons ago, it was then discovered (afterwards) that the gauge clearance was for ECS only. This was then rectified

 

[Anonymous10]

I am aware through anecdotal evidence that on the first occasion a 175 worked a HoWL passenger service, many moons ago, it was then discovered (afterwards) that the gauge clearance was for ECS only. This was then rectified

They ran in service at the end of their life with tfw.

 

[Carnforth_24]

I assume the 175s will eventually be replaced by the fruits of project Churchward whenever that materialises. So if DfT / GBR eventually choose rolling stock designs, and order them in maybe late 2026. Those railcars might start appearing in 2029, with maybe the 175s lasting until 2032ish ?

I don't share your optimism regarding timescales.

 

[tfw756rider]

They did, yes. I took this photo after alighting at Ffairfach in 2018.

Legend!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Aug 2025 ==

Units 001, 003, 107, 108 went to Wolverton in mid March

5.5 months later, and none of the 175s have yet emerged.
Suggests having bit more than just a repaint and retrim.
Either that or they are being hidden pending a launch.

To put the 5.5 months into perspective, I understand that the British Airways planes getting reconfigured cabins with new seats, and overhaul take less than 2 months each at Cardiff, although first one took bit longer.

Could indeed be a big change and reveal.

 

[Wyrleybart]

I don't share your optimism regarding timescales.

Yup. I get that. Particularly with the tentacles of the DfT impeding progress.
I am assuming the trial of 230001 last week was all for the benefit of Project Churchward and just what battery units could achieve in terms of mileage.

Wouldnt surprised if 230001 has a holiday in Exeter or Plymouth in early 2026. Is there room to locate a container full of batteries and a coupler of charging rails for some trials ?

 

[John R]

Yup. I get that. Particularly with the tentacles of the DfT impeding progress.
I am assuming the trial of 230001 last week was all for the benefit of Project Churchward and just what battery units could achieve in terms of mileage.

Wouldnt surprised if 230001 has a holiday in Exeter or Plymouth in early 2026. Is there room to locate a container full of batteries and a coupler of charging rails for some trials ?

There’s a thread about the 230 if you want to speculate its future use in a more appropriate place, but the last word there was that GWR was no longer planning to introduce it into service.

 

[The exile]

Legend!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 28 Aug 2025 ==


Could indeed be a big change and reveal.

Or simply that they can do everything they need to do at present with the ones that have gone to Laira, the works at the depot there mean they've not got much space to play with, they don't need that many in service for December and so have asked Wolverton to take their time.

 

[D365]

Bearing in mind that even Northern won’t see its new rolling stock before 2030… it’s speculation, but even only 15 years for the Class 175s seems optimistic.

 

[Snow1964]

Or simply that they can do everything they need to do at present with the ones that have gone to Laira, the works at the depot there mean they've not got much space to play with, they don't need that many in service for December and so have asked Wolverton to take their time.

Considering the number of trains running short formations, eg 2 or 3 cars instead of 4 on Cardiff-Portsmouth, or 2 instead of 3 in Bristol area, saying they don't need them before December to cascade into the short forms, is rather bending the facts.

https://www.gwr.com/-/media/gwr-sc-website/files/about-gwr/what-you-can-expect/our-performance/GWR-Periodic-Web-Report-P2605.pdf

Most recent 4 week report shows 227 services officially shortformed (below agreed min plan with DfT), and 3.31% cancelled (some of which were due to no available serviceable stock). Rather proves not enough trains currently.

 

[FGW_DID]

Rather proves not enough serviceable trains currently.

Fixed that for you!

 

[tfw756rider]

They're "now" (nearly 2 weeks ago) being tested in multi. The first clip of this YouTube video by Sam's Devonshire Transport Hub is 175009+175002 at Newton Abbot on the 18/8/25:

 

[Pete_uk]

Given these may be going to their last home and possibly the last DMUS for GWR they may as well give them a good going over and do the job properly.

More work now, less work later.

 

[Roylang]

Given these may be going to their last home and possibly the last DMUS for GWR they may as well give them a good going over and do the job properly.

More work now, less work later.

Less work later? Not if they are using vinyls on a steel body.

Roy

 

[grecian ern]

Today 5H97 0954 Laira to Wolverton Centre Sidings. pathed at 100mph, can only be a 175 shirley? not sure if it actually ran tho, anyone any wiser?

 

[GBM]

This service is cancelled.​

This service was cancelled due to a delay not investigated (OU).

 

[Snow1964]

Given these may be going to their last home and possibly the last DMUS for GWR they may as well give them a good going over and do the job properly.

More work now, less work later.

Good going over ?

Seeing as Wolverton has had 4 units since mid March, almost 6 months, sounds more like a (very) slow going over.

That duration is 150 Mon-Fri shifts, which is more akin to time for a protype mid life rebuild in different configuration, not an overhaul and repaint.

 

[BillStampy]

Realtime Trains | 5V84 1023 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Laira T.& R.S.M.D. | 11/09/2025

Real-time train running information for 5V84 1023 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Laira T.& R.S.M.D. on 11/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I understand the run up today didn't run but this is also of note.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 10 Sep 2025 ==

That duration is 150 Mon-Fri shifts, which is more akin to time for a protype mid life rebuild in different configuration, not an overhaul and repaint.

Keep in mind that the units only entered the shed a few months later (I don't remember exactly when but I believe it was around June time) and before that they were sat outside in the Sidings.

 

[The_Train]

Realtime Trains | 5V84 1023 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Laira T.& R.S.M.D. | 11/09/2025

Real-time train running information for 5V84 1023 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Laira T.& R.S.M.D. on 11/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I understand the run up today didn't run but this is also of note.

Also canned by the looks of it

 

[BillStampy]

Realtime Trains | 5V84 1014 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Laira T.& R.S.M.D. | 18/09/2025

Real-time train running information for 5V84 1014 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Laira T.& R.S.M.D. on 18/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

New one, lets see how this goes!

 

[REVUpminster]

Realtime Trains | 5V84 1014 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Laira T.& R.S.M.D. | 18/09/2025

Real-time train running information for 5V84 1014 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Laira T.& R.S.M.D. on 18/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

New one, lets see how this goes!

Planned for up to 100mph on the main line during the day must be under it's own power. Dawlish camera at 1603 if on time. I'll be watching.