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| British Rail Class 175 | |
|---|---|
| Name | Class 175 |
| Service | 2000–present |
| Manufacturer | Alstom |
| Family | Coradia |
| Formation | 2/3 cars per trainset |
| Built | 27 trainsets |
| Yearservice | 2000 |
| Gauge | 1435 mm |
| Traction | diesel-hydraulic |
| Maxspeed | 100 mph |
British Rail Class 175
The Class 175 is a family of diesel multiple-unit passenger trains introduced in 2000 to modernize regional and intercity services in the United Kingdom. Designed and built by Alstom at Washwood Heath as part of the Coradia range, the units entered service with operators including First North Western successors and regional franchises, replacing older coaches such as the Mark 2 coach formations and units like Class 101.
Alstom developed the Class 175 as part of a late-1990s procurement wave involving franchises such as First North Western, Arriva Trains Wales, and Wales & Borders to upgrade rolling stock for routes serving Manchester Piccadilly, Cardiff Central, Holyhead, and Chester. The design emphasized compliance with Rail Vehicle Accessibility Regulations (RVAR) and incorporated features influenced by contemporary continental designs used on networks such as SNCF and Deutsche Bahn. During development the units were evaluated against units like Class 150 and Class 158 for ride quality and performance, with input from infrastructure bodies including Railtrack and later Network Rail concerning loading gauge and depot requirements at facilities such as Longsight Depot.
The Class 175 units are built in two-car and three-car formations using a steel body and monocoque elements derived from the Coradia family. Each vehicle is powered by Cummins diesel engines coupled to Voith hydraulic transmissions, producing a top speed of 100 mph and tractive characteristics suitable for regional and intercity timetables comparable to Class 180 and Class 220 derivatives. Brake systems adhere to standards used on fleets including Class 158 and feature disc brakes with wheel-slide protection integrated with the train’s Auxiliary Power Unit and HVAC subsystems. On-board amenities include passenger information systems, accessibility-compliant toilet modules, and seating layouts influenced by specifications from franchise holders such as Arriva and FirstGroup.
Following entry into service in 2000, the Class 175 fleet filled gaps left by withdrawn stock on services across North Wales, Cheshire, Lancashire, and South Wales. Franchise reorganizations during the 2000s transferred units among operators including First North Western, Wales & Borders, Arriva Trains Wales, and later Transport for Wales Rail Services and Great Western Railway in various leasing arrangements with rolling stock companies such as Angel Trains and Eversholt Rail Group. Operational availability issues early in their career prompted engineering programs and collaboration with suppliers like Alstom and Cummins to improve reliability to levels seen on fleets such as Class 158 and Class 175 contemporaries.
Class 175 units have operated express and regional services on corridors linking Manchester Airport, Crewe, Birmingham New Street, Cardiff Central, Swansea, Holyhead, and coastal branches to stations like Llandudno Junction. They have featured on services branded by operators during franchise periods such as Arriva Trains Wales timetables, First North Western intercity diagrams, and later Transport for Wales regional networks. Units have also been diagrammed for short-turn shuttles serving interchanges at hubs including Shrewsbury and Runcorn and have been rostered alongside DMUs like Class 158 and locomotive-hauled sets at peak times.
Throughout their service life, Class 175 sets underwent mid-life refurbishments addressing interior refreshes, accessibility upgrades, and reliability improvements. Programs undertaken by depot contractors at locations such as Llandudno Junction Depot and works by Alstom encompassed seating re-trim, LED lighting retrofits, Passenger Information System upgrades, and modification of HVAC units to improve performance in coastal climates comparable to modifications made to Class 158 fleets. Mechanical and software work with suppliers including Voith and Cummins addressed hydraulic transmission tuning and engine management to reduce fuel consumption and improve mean time between failures.
The Class 175 fleet has been involved in a limited number of operational incidents, ranging from service failures and trespass collisions on routes near locations like Crewe and Wrexham to more significant occurrences that prompted investigations by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and reporting to regulatory bodies including the Office of Rail and Road. Outcomes have typically led to procedural changes, enhanced signage, and targeted engineering responses similar to those implemented after incidents involving classes such as Class 142 and Class 150.
Twenty-seven trainsets were built, with allocations split between two- and three-car formations. Ownership and leasing arrangements involved companies like Angel Trains and Eversholt Rail Group, while operational liveries reflected franchise branding: early First North Western silver and purple schemes, Arriva Trains Wales teal liveries, subsequent Transport for Wales grey and green, and occasional sub-branding for promotional campaigns similar to temporary schemes seen on Great Western Railway and Northern Trains. Depot allocations shifted over time among Longsight Depot, Llandudno Junction Depot, and other stabling points.