Class 170 Turbostar

Class 170 Turbostar
Name	Class 170 Turbostar
Manufacturer	Bombardier Transportation / ADtranz
Yearservice	1998
Numberbuilt	139 sets
Formation	2–3 cars
Capacity	100–180
Operator	Multiple operators
Maxspeed	100 mph (161 km/h)
Transmission	Diesel-hydraulic / Voith
Gauge	Standard gauge

Class 170 Turbostar

The Class 170 Turbostar is a British diesel multiple-unit passenger train family introduced in 1998 and built by ADtranz and later Bombardier Transportation at Viry-Châtillon and Derby Litchurch Lane Works. Designed for regional and intercity services, it entered traffic with operators including Connex South Central, FirstGroup, and ScotRail and later served franchises such as Northern Trains, TransPennine Express, and West Midlands Trains. The fleet influenced subsequent Turbostar and Electrostar families and remains in widespread use on routes linking cities like Manchester, Leeds, Glasgow, and Birmingham.

Design and Development

Introduced amid the post-privatisation era following the Railways Act 1993, the Class 170 was commissioned to replace ageing fleets like the British Rail Class 156 and British Rail Class 158 and to meet requirements set by franchised operators including Anglia Railways and ScotRail. The design evolved from concepts developed by Adtranz and influenced by earlier units such as the Sprinter family; key stakeholders included rolling stock leasing companies like Angel Trains and Eversholt Rail Group who placed orders for multiple sets. Development incorporated crashworthiness standards influenced by European directives and guidance from bodies including the Office of Rail and Road and followed procurement practices used by franchises overseen by the Strategic Rail Authority. Manufacturing in Derby and collaboration with suppliers like Voith and MTU Friedrichshafen shaped the drivetrain, while interior specifications were negotiated with regional transport authorities such as Transport for London and Transport Scotland.

Technical Specifications

The Class 170 features two- and three-car formations with aluminium bodies and underfloor diesel engines supplied by MTU Friedrichshafen or Cummins depending on sub-class; transmission systems include hydraulic units from Voith and final drives from suppliers used by Bombardier Transportation. Maximum speed is typically 100 mph (161 km/h), with acceleration and braking performance certified under standards administered by the Rail Safety and Standards Board. Onboard systems incorporate HVAC units contracted via companies like Siemens and interior fittings from manufacturers serving operators including Arriva and FirstGroup. Signalling compatibility was upgraded to work with conventional lines and interfaces with projects such as Train Protection & Warning System deployments and, on some routes, compatibility testing with European Train Control System equipment. Bogies and suspension design trace lineage to earlier designs used by British Rail Class 165 and British Rail Class 168, while passenger amenities such as CCTV, passenger information systems, and accessibility features comply with regulations promoted by the Department for Transport and advocacy groups like Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee.

Service History

The Class 170 entered service in the late 1990s on routes operated by companies such as Connex South Central, First North Western, and ScotRail. Through the 2000s and 2010s, sets transferred between franchises during reshuffles involving Govia, Arriva Trains Northern, and KeolisAmey contracts. They formed the backbone of many regional networks, operating on corridors linking Manchester Piccadilly, Leeds, Newcastle, and Glasgow Central as well as longer regional services connecting Norwich and Birmingham New Street. Fleet allocations adjusted following franchise awards involving Serco and Stagecoach, and leasing arrangements with Macquarie and MTR Corporation (UK) influenced deployments. Some sets were cascaded to support services contracted by local transport authorities including Transport for Greater Manchester and Transport for London-affiliated operations.

Operators and Regions

Operators of the Class 170 have included FirstGroup, Arriva, ScotRail, Northern Trains, TransPennine Express, West Midlands Trains, East Midlands Railway, and former operators such as Connex South Central and Virgin Trains subsidiaries. Regions served span Greater Manchester, West Yorkshire, Scottish Lowlands, East Anglia, Midlands, and Northumberland, with notable termini at Manchester Airport, Bradford Forster Square, Aberdeen, and Norwich under various timetable periods. Leasing companies like Eversholt Rail Group and Angel Trains have brokered transfers between operators, and international interest was noted from agencies in Ireland and continental providers evaluating Turbostar derivatives.

Refurbishments and Modifications

Over their service lives, many sets underwent interior refurbishments commissioned by operators including FirstGroup and Arriva to add features such as improved seating, Wi‑Fi provided through vendors linked to EE (company) and Vodafone, passenger information displays from suppliers used by Siemens Mobility, and accessibility upgrades compliant with standards advocated by Transport Focus. Mechanical and electrical overhauls were carried out at maintenance depots like Doncaster Carr and Leicester (Birstall) with component replacement from manufacturers such as Wabtec and Knorr-Bremse. Some units received re-gearing and selective fitting of automatic couplers to enable multiple working with other Turbostar-derived units and compatibility trials with Hitachi-built fleets during inter-operator transfers.

Accidents and Incidents

Class 170 units have been involved in several incidents documented in industry reports and inquiries led by agencies such as the Rail Accident Investigation Branch and Office of Rail and Road. Notable events include collisions and level crossing occurrences investigated in the context of national safety recommendations and operator procedures involving franchises like TransPennine Express and ScotRail. Outcomes from inquiries prompted modifications to operational rules overseen by bodies including the Department for Transport and equipment changes recommended by manufacturers and safety advisors to reduce recurrence.

Category:British diesel multiple units Category:Bombardier Transportation rolling stock