British Rail Class 195 Explained

British Rail Class 195
Civity
Background:
color:white
Interiorimage:File:Class195_Interior.jpg
Interiorcaption:Interior of a Class 195 unit
Service:1 July 2019present[1]
Manufacturer:CAF
Family:Civity
Yearconstruction:2017 - 2020
Owner:Eversholt Rail Group
Operator:Northern Trains
Maxspeed:[2]
Acceleration: max.
Enginetype:Inline-6 turbo-diesel with SCR[3]
Displacement: per engine[4]
Transmission:ZF EcoLife 6-speed
Coupling:Dellner[5]
Multipleworking:Within class (max. 12 cars)

The British Rail Class 195[6] is a class of diesel multiple-unit passenger train from the Civity family manufactured by CAF, owned by Eversholt Rail Group and currently operated by Northern Trains. A total of 58 units have been built; 25 two-car units and 33 three-car units.[7] The class is almost identical to the Class 331 also produced by CAF, which is the electric version of the Class 195, differing only in traction type and (in some units) vehicle formation.

They were first introduced on 1 July 2019, entering service with the previous operator Arriva Rail North on the Manchester Airport and Liverpool Lime Street via Warrington, and Manchester Airport to Barrow-in-Furness routes.[8] The final 195 unit entered service in December 2020 and all 58 units work across all non-electrified routes across the Northern network.[9]

History

The introduction of new rolling stock for the Northern franchise was fuelled by the need to phase out the unpopular Pacer trains by 2020. The tender for the then-new franchise in 2015 originally permitted the continued use of Pacer trains, as it was judged by the Department for Transport (DfT) that a new rolling-stock order represented "poor value for money.".[10] However the House of Commons Transport Select Committee described the continued use of Pacer trains as "unacceptable" and recommended that the Secretary of State use franchise specification power to include the need for a new rolling-stock order.[11] Subsequently, the then Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin issued a ministerial directive in February 2015 to force the new franchise to include a new rolling-stock order as part of the franchise agreement, which would enable the Pacer trains to be phased out.[12]

The announcement of the new trains was made by now-previous operator Arriva UK Trains when it was confirmed that it would become the next operator of the Northern franchise (after Serco-Abellio) from 1 April 2016.[13] The Class 195 order was based on Arriva's belief that the ageing and dilapidated state of rolling stock in Northern England was an inherent obstacle to enticing new passengers particularly motorists and that investing in new modern trains represented the best long-term strategy for enabling passenger growth.[7] [14]

CAF was selected by Arriva, as it was the only manufacturer able to build both diesel and electric multiple units from the same platform, Civity, thus increasing familiarity for drivers and reducing maintenance costs once in operation.[7] Bombardier made a bid to produce electric Aventra units but was unable to offer a sister diesel unit which Arriva required.[15] Furthermore, Bombardier already had a long order book for Aventra units and Arriva believed that CAF was in a stronger position to guarantee on-time delivery of the units.[15]

Construction of the bodyshells began in Zaragoza in July 2017.[16] The wheelsets were constructed in Beasain and final assembly of the units took place in Irun.[17] The first completed Class 195 unit began undergoing tests at the Velim test track in May 2018.[18] The first unit arrived in England in June 2018[19] and testing on the main line began in September 2018.[20]

Description

See also: British Rail Class 331. Arriva UK Trains stated its aim for a "step-change in quality" for the new trains when compared with older trains in the Northern fleet such as the Pacers and Sprinters. The interior, layout and driver cab of the Class 195 (DMU) are similar to their sister units, the Class 331 (EMU), the differences being in power generation and drivetrain.[21]

The 195s have a 'doors-at-thirds' arrangement, and a top speed limited to . They have air conditioning, power sockets, one toilet per train,[22] open gangways between individual carriages, passenger compartment CCTV, provision for wheelchair passengers, and a Wi-Fi system. All trains are fitted with an automated audio information system, as well as display screens - six in each carriage, ensuring all passengers have an unobstructed view of at least one. These screens convey a variety of information, including station arrival times and informing alighting passengers when they need to be in a different carriage due to platforms being too short to accommodate the train.[23]

Northern selected a "wide and spacious" vestibule area to allow for quicker passenger flows when boarding and disembarking to minimise dwell times and thus reduce delays.[24] The large spaces around the doors create a flexible space, with flip-down seats for quiet times of day, and standing space in times of overcrowding where the objective is to ensure that all passengers can board.[25] Since the units are not fitted with fixed luggage racks (as these often reduce capacity on peak-time commuter trains) the space by the doors can also be used to store luggage and prams - thus not impacting on the capacity of the train or safety of passengers wishing to alight or board. In maintaining an objective for the interior to be spacious, seats are cantilevered off the body frame and there are no internal doors, with open gangways between carriages.[26]

The units were designed with a projected lifespan of 35years and it was planned they will operate beyond 2050 with maintenance and refurbishment.[27] A feature is a digital seat reservation system, however this is to future-proof the train and Northern did not envisage using it on many, if any routes. Although the vast majority of services operate as three- or four-car formations (two-car units doubled), some three-car units will be doubled up to form six-car services, such as the route between Manchester Oxford Road and Liverpool via Warrington Central. As a result, they are fitted with Automatic Selective Door Operation (ASDO) for use on routes where station platform lengths are not sufficient to fully accommodate the train. This ASDO system is linked to an automated system which informs the passengers through both audio announcements and the passenger information screens in each saloon.

Operators

Northern Trains

On 1 March 2020 the Northern franchise was taken over by Northern Trains.[28] All Class 195 units transferred to Northern Trains on 1 March 2020 along with the rest of the Northern fleet.

Named units

Fleet details

Originally, 25 two-car and 30 three-car units were ordered; in November 2018 it was announced that an additional 3 three-car units had been ordered. A tender notice for a further 20 multiple units was published in December 2021.[34]

ClassOperatorNumberYear BuiltCarsUnit nos.
195/0Northern Trains252017-20202195001 - 195025
195/1333195101 - 195133

Accidents and incidents

See also

Notes and References

  1. News: Northern launches new £500m fleet of 101 trains . 26 June 2019 . BBC News . British Broadcasting Corporation . 26 June 2019.
  2. Web site: Civity Diesel Regional Train for Northern Franchise . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210504232536/https://www.caf.net/en/productos-servicios/proyectos/proyecto-detalle.php?p=281 . 4 May 2021 . 2 December 2021 . Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles . Beasain.
  3. News: Engines ordered for Civity UK DMUs . Railway Gazette International . Sutton . DVV Media International . 3 February 2017 . 2 July 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170606073321/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/traction-rolling-stock/single-view/view/engines-ordered-for-civity-uk-dmus.html . 6 June 2017 . dead.
  4. Book: Powerpacks with 6H 1800 for Railcar Applications . 20 April 2020 . MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH . 01/20 . 30 November 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210421061441/https://www.mtu-solutions.com/content/dam/mtu/products/rail/3235271_MTU_spec_Rail_PowerPack1800.pdf/_jcr_content/renditions/original./3235271_MTU_spec_Rail_PowerPack1800.pdf . 21 April 2021 .
  5. Web site: Northern's trains from Spain . 3 April 2018 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20201030072326/https://www.railengineer.co.uk/northerns-trains-from-spain/ . 30 October 2020 . 11 June 2021 . Rail Engineer . Coalville.
  6. Web site: Long Term Passenger Rolling Stock Strategy for the Rail Industry, Fourth Edition, March 2016 . Rail Delivery Group . 22 March 2016 .
  7. Web site: Northern's trains from Spain . Shirres . David . Railway Engineer . 3 April 2018 . 14 September 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180915042537/https://www.railengineer.uk/2018/04/03/northerns-trains-from-spain/ . 15 September 2018 . dead .
  8. northernassist. 1067683218898460672. 28 November 2018.
    1. ProudToBeHelping
    . 1 December 2018.
  9. Web site: CAF completes final Class 195 DMU for Northern . Railway Gazette . 11 December 2020 . 11 May 2021.
  10. Web site: McLoughlin overrules officials who called Pacer replacement 'poor value' . Rail Technology Magazine . 27 February 2015.
  11. Web site: Proposals to withdraw Pacer trains by 2020 . House of Commons . 27 February 2015.
  12. Web site: Pacer vehicles withdrawal: confirming the ministerial direction . gov.uk . 27 February 2015 . 14 September 2018.
  13. Web site: Intention to award Northern franchise to Arriva . Arriva Rail North . 22 March 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160317020324/http://www.arrivarailnorth.org/keeping-you-posted/9-test-news-article-2 . 17 March 2016 . dead .
  14. Web site: Northern's new trains set to trigger fleet rejuvenation . However, Northern believed that withdrawal of the Pacers by the end of next year meant attention would then turn to the quality of the remaining trains. There was concern that Class '150', '155' and '156' DMUs dating from 1985 onwards will still be in traffic into the next decade, and the operator believes the standards set by the new '195' and '331' fleets will generate an evaluation of what is on offer. . Rail . Peterborough . 13 February 2018 . 14 September 2018.
  15. Web site: Lea . Robert . Spain wins £490m race to replace unloved Pacer . However, the Arriva order needed a substantial number of diesel trains, too, because so much of the network in the north is not electrified. It is understood that Bombardier declined to bid for the diesel train sets. The Spanish acquisition is likely to have been determined by CAF's ability to deliver the trains more quickly than rivals. . The Times . London . 23 January 2016 . 15 September 2018.
  16. Web site: CAF begins production of new trains for Northern - International Railway Journal.
  17. [RAIL magazine]
  18. Web site: First CAF Civity EMU for Northern on test at Velim . Barrow . Keith . International Railway Journal . 8 May 2018 . 26 July 2018.
  19. Web site: First of Northern's £500m Class 195 train fleet arrives in the UK . Railway Technology . 29 June 2018 . 26 July 2018.
  20. CAF DMUs for Northern begin main line testing . Rail . Peterborough . 15 September 2018 . 20 September 2018 . Clinnick . Richard.
  21. Web site: Shires . David . Northern's trains from Spain . Other than their power source, drive train and coach formations, the Class 195 and 331 units are virtually identical. . Rail Engineer . 3 April 2018 . 2 November 2019 . 2 November 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191102132254/https://www.railengineer.co.uk/2018/04/03/northerns-trains-from-spain/ . dead .
  22. https://busandtrainuser.com/2019/07/10/new-trains-in-2019-6-northerns-class-195-and-331/ only one toilet per train
  23. On their way to Northern . Clinnick . Richard . Customer Information Screens are being fitted. Hyde says these will display live information supplied by the Darwin system, enabling passengers to access the latest travel details not just for the service they are on, but also elsewhere on the network (should that be required). . Rail . Peterborough . 9 September 2019 . 2 November 2019.
  24. Web site: Shires . David . Northern's trains from Spain . The electrically powered double-leaf sliding plug doors are at 1/3 and 2/3 car door positions and have large vestibules to provide good movement within the coach to minimise dwell times. . Rail Engineer . 3 April 2018 . 2 November 2019 . 2 November 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191102132254/https://www.railengineer.co.uk/2018/04/03/northerns-trains-from-spain/ . dead .
  25. Web site: New trains in 2019 6: Northern's Class 195 and 331 . Aside from the seats and tables one noticeable feature as you board are the wide doorway vestibule areas leading into the saloon but the area is also useful to store over-sized suitcases passengers now wheel around especially on the Airport run as well as prams. It's a good idea and works well on Thameslink where there's a very wide area around each set of doors. . busandtrainuser . 10 July 2019 . 2 November 2019.
  26. Web site: Rolling blog: New trains for Northern . Bigland . Paul . Looking through the gangway into the next car. There are no internal doors, giving a feeling of spaciousness. . paulbigland.blog . 28 June 2019 . 2 November 2019.
  27. Web site: Shires . David . Northern's trains from Spain . They have a 35-year design life. . Rail Engineer . 3 April 2018 . 2 November 2019 . 2 November 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20191102132254/https://www.railengineer.co.uk/2018/04/03/northerns-trains-from-spain/ . dead .
  28. News: Syal. Rajeev. Topham. Gwyn. Troubled rail firm Northern brought under government control. 2 January 2020. The Guardian . 19 July 2020. en-GB.
  29. News: Holmes . David . New 100mph trains to operate on Chester to Leeds route . Chester Chronicle . 14 October 2019 . 14 October 2019.
  30. Web site: Pride of Cumbria marks 175 years of railway history . Rail Insider . 1 October 2021 . 10 October 2021.
  31. northernassist. Northern Trains. 1253258481202860032. 195111, now aptly known as 'Key Worker', is the first of 4 newly covered trains heading out on our network today. We're sure you'll agree, it looks great.... 23 April 2020.
  32. Bendall. Simon. Nicholls. Mark. September 2019. Railways Illustrated. Fleet Review. 18. 199.
  33. Calder Valley sees latest launch of Northern's new trains . Northern . 18 October 2019 . 22 October 2019.
  34. Web site: Financing of Rolling Stock: A Tender Notice by Northern Trains Limited . 1 November 2023 . bidstats.uk.
  35. Web site: Hole found under track where train derailed . Pamela . Tickell . Jennie . Dennett . BBC News Online . 22 March 2024 .
  36. Web site: Derailment of a passenger train at Grange-over-Sands . Rail Accident Investigation Branch . 28 March 2024 .

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