Work begins on construction of TPE ‘397s’

Construction of the first TransPennine Express Class 397 electric multiple unit is well under way at CAF’s factory in Beasain, Spain.

Twelve five-car EMUs are on order, and will enter traffic between the North West and Scotland from spring 2019. Funded by Eversholt Rail, they will replace four-car Class 350s, and are part of an introduction of three brand new trains fleets by TPE. CAF-built Mk 5s and Hitachi Rail Europe Class 802s are also on order.

The ‘397s’ will be maintained by Alstom at Longsight and Polmadie.

“Once ready, these futuristic trains will be some of the most modern in the country, and I’m thrilled to be overseeing such an important transformation,” said TPE Managing Director Leo Goodwin.

Eversholt Rail Chief Executive Officer Mary Kenny said: “Our new-generation high-speed EMUs under construction by CAF in Spain will help turn TPE’s ‘Take the North Further’ vision into reality.”

José María Muguruza, Project Manager for CAF, explained: “The trains are the ‘high speed’ variant of the Civity electric train, are capable of 125mph operation, and will provide passengers with a new journey experience.”