British Rail Class 195


The British Rail Class 195 Civity is a class of diesel multiple-unit passenger train manufactured by CAF for 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. 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 vehicle formation.
The units were originally due to enter service in December 2018 alongside the Class 331 units, however, they were instead first introduced on 1 July 2019 under previous operator Arriva Rail North on the Manchester Airport and Liverpool Lime Street via Warrington, and Manchester Airport to Barrow-in-Furness routes. All units are expected in service by June 2020 and will work across all non-electrified routes across the Northern network.

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 that a new rolling stock order represented "poor value for money.". 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. 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.
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 from 1 April 2016. 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 those in cars - and that investing in new modern trains represented the best long-term strategy for enabling passenger growth.
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. Bombardier made a bid to produce electric Aventra units but was unable to offer a sister Diesel unit which Arriva required. 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.
Construction of the bodyshells of the 195s began in Zaragoza in July 2017. The wheelsets were constructed in Beasain and final assembly of the units took place in Irun. The first completed Class 195 began undergoing tests at the Velim test track in May 2018. The first unit arrived in England in June 2018 and testing on the main line began in September 2018.

Description

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 are completely identical to their sister units, the Class 331 with the only difference being power generation and drivetrain.
The 195s have a ⅓-⅔ door arrangement, and a top speed limited to 100 mph. The units have air conditioning, power sockets, one toilet per train, open gangways between individual carriages, passenger compartment CCTV, provision for wheelchair passengers and a WiFi 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 to at least one. These screens convey a variety of information from 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.
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. The large spaces around the doors create a highly-flexible space, with flip-down seats for quiet times of day, and ample standing space in times of overcrowding where the objective is to ensure that all passengers can board. Since the units are not fitted with fixed luggage racks 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.
The units are designed with a projected lifespan of 35 years and it is planned they will operate beyond 2050 with maintenance and refurbishment. An included feature is a digital seat reservation system, however this is to future-proof the train and Northern do not envisage using it on many, if any routes. Although the vast majority of services will operate as 3- or 4-car formations, some 3-car units will be doubled up to form 6-car services, such as the route between Manchester Airport and Liverpool via Warrington Central. As a result, they are fitted with Automatic Selective Door Operation 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 located in each saloon.

Operators

Northern Trains

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

Named units

Originally, 25x2-car and 30x3-car units were ordered; in November 2018 it was announced that an additional 3x3-car units had been ordered.
ClassOperatorNumberYear BuiltCarsUnit nos.
Class 195/0Northern Trains252017-20202195001-195025
Class 195/1Northern Trains332017-20203195101-195133