CAF Rail starts work on new trains at Newport factory

CAF has started design and engineering work on new state-of-the-art diesel multiple units (DMUs) for the Wales and Borders franchise, being built at the company’s facility in Newport, South Wales.

CAF is supplying 77 state-of-the-art DMUs. The 51 two-car and 26 three-car units will enter service from early 2022.

Engineering and project team members from CAF are working with their Transport for Wales counterparts to ensure the new vehicles meet customer requirements and deliver the best possible performance for the rail network.

CAF has started design and engineering work on new state-of-the-art trains which are being built at the company’s new facility in Newport / Picture: CAF Rail

Richard Garner, CAF’s UK Director, said: “Work on the Wales and Borders franchise project is now well underway to ensure the project is delivered on time.

“CAF is proud to be playing a key role in delivering Transport for Wales’ commitment to transform rail travel for passengers. Our ‘Made in Wales’ trains will realise benefits for both Transport for Wales and its customers on this important rail network. There will be faster, more frequent services and increased customer capacity, with passengers experiencing a high-quality, reliable and comfortable service.”

Kevin Thomas, Chief Executive of Transport for Wales Rail Services, added: “We are here to deliver Welsh Government’s vision of a high quality, safe and accessible transport network that the people of Wales are proud of. Using the latest technology, the new trains will transform the passenger experience and attract new customers to the railway by making it more accessible and more comfortable with air conditioning, wi-fi, step-free access and power and USB sockets for each seat. 2022 can’t come soon enough for us or our passengers.”

The high performance DMU’s will be based on the UK Civity platform, designed for commuter and regional services. They will incorporate the latest safety technology, including enhanced CCTV, combined with exacting interior design specifications for customer comfort. Carriages will also feature advanced multimodal passenger information systems and luggage, pushchair and bike storage.