Class 175s to GWR

[BillStampy]

RTT has 175007 allocated to the diagram today which is a bit weird considering 007 is one of the original training units that hasn't passed through Wolverton!

 

[ThatBloke]

Apart from being a quarter of a century old barn find fleet?

LOL
Have heard them described as many things but not that. Amused.

 

[alexross42]

RTT has 175007 allocated to the diagram today which is a bit weird considering 007 is one of the original training units that hasn't passed through Wolverton!

Currently sat on it at Plymouth...took staff a few minutes to get the doors to open, overheard such lines as "Oh God, it's always something with these things" and when examining an internal gangway door "That's buggered!" ... Hoping it does actually move

 

[BillStampy]

Currently sat on it at Plymouth...took staff a few minutes to get the doors to open, overheard such lines as "Oh God, it's always something with these things" and when examining an internal gangway door "That's buggered!" ... Hoping it does actually move

Not sure what they were expecting from a unit that has had not been sent through Wolverton, fresh as can be from TfW that is!

 

[brad465]

Currently sat on it at Plymouth...took staff a few minutes to get the doors to open, overheard such lines as "Oh God, it's always something with these things" and when examining an internal gangway door "That's buggered!" ... Hoping it does actually move

Despite this it has at least managed to start its journey, leaving Saltash 4L (appears to be due to a late running up train over the Tamar).

Realtime Trains | 2C49 1242 Plymouth to Penzance | 17/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 2C49 1242 departure from Plymouth to Penzance on 17/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[BillStampy]

I suppose this shows that the training units are able to be used, although 175007 could be a 'one off' thing. If they are able to be used, maybe GWR should see if 175114 is able to be used as getting a 3-car unit running would be ideal sooner or later.

 

[Anonymous10]

Currently sat on it at Plymouth...took staff a few minutes to get the doors to open, overheard such lines as "Oh God, it's always something with these things" and when examining an internal gangway door "That's buggered!" ... Hoping it does actually move

The 175s were pretty reliable and the internal doors can be over ridden to remain open.

 

[alexross42]

Was a smooth ride but as soon as we began to move water started pouring either side of the window - on the inside!
Reported it to the guard to add to his list!

 

[XFeed]

Currently sat on it at Plymouth...took staff a few minutes to get the doors to open, overheard such lines as "Oh God, it's always something with these things" and when examining an internal gangway door "That's buggered!" ... Hoping it does actually move

There seems to be a theme developing regarding the train crew struggling to arm the doors for opening which could possibly be unfamiliarity with the units as this problem very rarely occurred previously.

Vestibule doors can be troublesome at times and do require the required maintenance to be carried out as per VMI.

In service vestibule doors can be isolated open if they become faulty and the unit then remain in service but a faulty vestibule door at a maintenance depot cannot enter service until rectified.

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Was a smooth ride but as soon as we began to move water started pouring either side of the window - on the inside!
Reported it to the guard to add to his list!

Water running down the inside of the saloon windows sounds very much like the saloon HVAC "Duckbill" drains have become blocked and not allowing the water to drain into the channels in the saloon ceiling that drain away the water.

 

[alexross42]

Thanks, interesting info on those points, certainly seemed more likely that the HVAC was the source rather than rainwater so that makes sense!

 

[simonmpoulton]

Just remember there was a distinct lack of proper maintenance once CAF took over Chester depot from Alstom & these units have been stored. I'm sure once the maintenance gets done and the crews get more familiar the reliability will go back up to where it was when Alstom were maintaining them.

 

[BillStampy]

Just remember there was a distinct lack of proper maintenance once CAF took over Chester depot from Alstom & these units have been stored. I'm sure once the maintenance gets done and the crews get more familiar the reliability will go back up to where it was when Alstom were maintaining them.

Absolutely. Give it time and I'm sure the units will be useful for Devon and Cornwall.

I've seen that 175007 has had it's PIS updated and as far as I know 007 was not a Wolverton unit. In addition it proves that the other training units are likely also able to be used soon such as their 3 car unit 175114.
Time will tell!

 

[brad465]

Well 175007 completed its return trip in service, despite many legitimate concerns.

 

[XFeed]

Thanks, interesting info on those points, certainly seemed more likely that the HVAC was the source rather than rainwater so that makes sense!

As I mentioned earlier more likely the HVAC drains issue but I don`t think it a secret that 175`s have suffered water ingress at times in the past.

It was regularly quoted as rubbish Spanish steel not a match for the British climate and coastal routes but who knows ?

We will see how they cope with the Dawlish sea wall !

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Jan 2026 ==

Just remember there was a distinct lack of proper maintenance once CAF took over Chester depot from Alstom & these units have been stored. I'm sure once the maintenance gets done and the crews get more familiar the reliability will go back up to where it was when Alstom were maintaining them.

Agreed reliability did appear to slip under CAF unfortunately but all exams, maintenance and procedures were still carried out as per VMI schedules under CAF. They may have taken their eye of the ball partially though as the 197s began to arrive and staff spending less time on 175s.

Regarding the familiarity of the 175s it just doesn`t stop at the train crews door it also lies with the maintenance staff and maintenance control to increase the reliability, its a team game.

 

[Caaardiff]

As I mentioned earlier more likely the HVAC drains issue but I don`t think it a secret that 175`s have suffered water ingress at times in the past.

It was regularly quoted as rubbish Spanish steel not a match for the British climate and coastal routes but who knows ?

We will see how they cope with the Dawlish sea wall !

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 17 Jan 2026 ==



Agreed reliability did appear to slip under CAF unfortunately but all exams, maintenance and procedures were still carried out as per VMI schedules under CAF. They may have taken their eye of the ball partially though as the 197s began to arrive and staff spending less time on 175s.

Regarding the familiarity of the 175s it just doesn`t stop at the train crews door it also lies with the maintenance staff and maintenance control to increase the reliability, its a team game.

Not entirely correct. The 175 maintenance regime set by TFW wasn't sufficient enough in some areas during the handover. CAF completed what was required as set by TFW.

 

[REVUpminster]

175001 is back on the 1340 2C26. A 150 was on standby. There are six 3 car turbos on the Devon Metro this week and only six 150s

 

[BillStampy]

175001 is back on the 1340 2C26. A 150 was on standby. There are six 3 car turbos on the Devon Metro this week and only six 150s

I think it's quite clear that these units weren't ready but GWR didn't really get a choice. Thankfully it's winter so the Cornwall Metro would, I assume, be less busy than the summer. Hopefully they'll be on the right track (mind the pun) by mid to late Spring!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2026 ==

Realtime Trains | 5V84 1145 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Laira T.& R.S.M.D. | 23/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5V84 1145 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Laira T.& R.S.M.D. on 23/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I'm going to start losing track of this, attempt 3...!

 

[REVUpminster]

double post

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 21 Jan 2026 ==

I think it's quite clear that these units weren't ready but GWR didn't really get a choice. Thankfully it's winter so the Cornwall Metro would, I assume, be less busy than the summer. Hopefully they'll be on the right track (mind the pun) by mid to late Spring!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 20 Jan 2026 ==

Realtime Trains | 5V84 1145 Wolverton Centre Sidings to Laira T.& R.S.M.D. | 23/01/2026

Real-time train running information for 5V84 1145 departure from Wolverton Centre Sidings to Laira T.& R.S.M.D. on 23/01/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

I'm going to start losing track of this, attempt 3...!

And will they be in serviceable condition? Only 175001 (refurbished) and 175007 (un-refurbished) have made it into passenger service; six at Laira still to do so.

 

[Brush 4]

GWR have 4 months to get them ready for May. What is Wolverton supposed to be doing to the 175's and, are they doing it?

 

[DannyMich2018]

GWR have 4 months to get them ready for May. What is Wolverton supposed to be doing to the 175's and, are they doing it?

Good question, many of us be asking this.
GWR is quite lucky now as they can short form and run 150s on former 4 car HST diagrams as demand is much less in winter in Devon and Cornwall but come Easter onwards more trains need to be available.

 

[Brush 4]

Good Friday is April 3 but (most) schools break up on March 27 so, time is short.

 

[3RDGEN]

GWR have 4 months to get them ready for May. What is Wolverton supposed to be doing to the 175's and, are they doing it?

In the January Modern Railways there's an article re the 175's and in that GWR are quoted saying there's 140+ activities done at Wolverton for Angel Trains, it's not clear if that's per vehicle or unit however it states that further activities have also been identified. From the article it's clear the work required to return the units to passenger service is greater than expected and hence is delaying the roll out on GWR.

 

[REVUpminster]

The delay to the 175s has meant the 158s haven't been able to go to Bristol to strengthen the formations. Today there are seven 3 car turbos operating the Devon Metro. Only 5 150s in use.

 

[BillStampy]

I'm sure once we see a 2nd diagram the process will speed up, more they're being used the more the crew get familiar with them and so on.
Whenever that may be, I'm not sure! Lets hope this Friday's move actually operates!

 

[Snow1964]

The delay to the 175s has meant the 158s haven't been able to go to Bristol to strengthen the formations. Today there are seven 3 car turbos operating the Devon Metro. Only 5 150s in use.

The lack of 175s is affecting other lines too
Cardiff-Portsmouth today is 4 trains of 3cars and 4 trains of 4car
A Weymouth -Gloucester train is down to 2car

Lets hope multiple units come from Wolverton this Friday

 

[Jacob Porrett]

How many 175s are at Wolverton?

 

[Snow1964]

How many 175s are at Wolverton?

I think there are 10 3car units, no 2car units

175 101, 102, 106, 107, 108, 111, 112, 113, 115, 116

however some have been there months so might have missed something

 

[FGW_DID]

I'm sure once we see a 2nd diagram the process will speed up, more they're being used the more the crew get familiar with them and so on.
Whenever that may be, I'm not sure! Lets hope this Friday's move actually operates!

I'm sure you mean more passenger workings. There are 3x 175/0 working diagrams (LA 801, 802 & 803). One diagram contains the two passenger workings 2C26 & 2P21. The other two diagrams only have ECS workings (5Z**) primarily for training.
What's needed is enough serviceable sets to cover the three diagrams.

 

[REVUpminster]

I think there are 10 3car units, no 2car units

175 101, 102, 106, 107, 108, 111, 112, 113, 115, 116

however some have been there months so might have missed something

I agree with your numbers

Ely Mif :8: 175004/005/008, 175103/104/105/109/110 (175008 is in two halves)

Wolverton : 10 : 175101/102/106/107/108/111/112/113/115/116

Laira : 8: 175002/007/009, 175114; 175001/003/006/011 are refurbished.

Long Rock : 1 : 175010

Only 001 and 007 have seen a passenger.

 

[vicbury]

The lack of 175s is affecting other lines too
Cardiff-Portsmouth today is 4 trains of 3cars and 4 trains of 4car
A Weymouth -Gloucester train is down to 2car

Lets hope multiple units come from Wolverton this Friday

That's a good day for Cardiff-Portsmouth. The other day there were three in a row of two-cars!