Alstom, a global leader in sustainable transport solutions, has signed a long-term service agreement with Great Western Railway (GWR) to support the reintroduction of 26 Class 175 trains across South West England.

The eight-year Technical Support and Spares Supply Agreement (TSSSA), valued at £75 million (€90 million), will see Alstom provide ongoing maintenance from GWR’s Laira depot in Plymouth. The initiative is expected to create and sustain over 15 specialist roles, including engineers, planners, and administrators, with further impact across Alstom’s wider UK supply chain.

Originally manufactured by Alstom between 1999 and 2001 in Birmingham, the Class 175 diesel multiple units (DMUs) were most recently operated by Transport for Wales. GWR secured the lease on the fleet earlier this year, with the first units set to re-enter passenger service later in 2025 following refurbishment and driver training.

“We are delighted to be partnering with Great Western Railway and Angel Trains to bring the Class 175 fleet back into service. With our extensive expertise as the original manufacturer and long-standing maintainer of these trains, we are well placed to ensure their smooth reintroduction and continued reliability,” said Peter Broadley, Commercial Director at Alstom.

Once deployed, the Class 175 trains will operate on key regional routes connecting Exeter St Davids, Penzance, Barnstaple, and Okehampton. Their addition is expected to improve service reliability and punctuality, particularly in Devon and Cornwall, while enabling the retirement of some of GWR’s oldest diesel stock.

“We are really pleased to be able to reach agreement with Alstom to support this major investment in our train fleet. The Class 175 are a welcome addition to the GWR train fleet and will provide a tangible boost as we seek to rejuvenate our regional and suburban services.” said Dr Simon Green, Engineering Director for Great Western Railway.

Notably, the Class 175s will be the first GWR trains to feature Alstom’s HealthHub digital solution. This cutting-edge technology supports condition-based and predictive maintenance by transmitting real-time data every 30 seconds on over 200 onboard parameters—from speed and location to interior temperature. This allows for proactive maintenance interventions, reducing the risk of service disruptions.

“We’re pleased to support Great Western Railway as they work to further improve the passenger experience. In partnership with GWR and Alstom, the reintroduction of the Class 175 fleet will provide additional capacity and improved reliability that will benefit customers across the network,” said David Jordan, Chief Operating Officer at Angel Trains.

The project underlines GWR’s commitment to enhancing regional rail services and progressing towards a more modern, efficient, and decarbonised railway network.