Class 175 Enters Service as GWR Prepares Full Fleet Rollout

Great Western Railway has introduced the first of its recommissioned Class 175 trains into passenger service, marking the start of a phased rollout that will continue throughout next year.

The inaugural service took place yesterday on the 13:40 Plymouth to Penzance route, operated by unit 175001, which then ran the 15:52 return journey.

Earlier this year, GWR leased 26 Class 175 trains as part of a programme to modernise its regional and suburban services. The full fleet is scheduled to enter service across 2026, mainly running between Exeter St Davids and Penzance, with additional services to Barnstaple and Okehampton.

During the early stages of the rollout, service patterns may vary to accommodate training and maintenance requirements as staff familiarise themselves with the newly refurbished trains.

The arrival of the Class 175s coincides with the retirement of GWR’s final four Castle Class sets on Saturday. The iconic Class 43 locomotives and Mark 3 coaches, which have served the Great Western network for nearly 50 years, are set to be returned to their leasing companies in the coming year.

Image: Great Western Railway