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Transport for Wales Rail Services is set to take over the consortium to run the Wales and the Borders franchise this autumn.

They have promised a £5 billion investment in rail services over the 15 year franchise with new trains and extra services laid on.

This has started with an £800m order for 148 "longer and quieter" trains to replace the current stock.

Spanish firm CAF has won a £400m deal to build 77 trains at its new base in Newport while Swiss company Stadler will make 71 to be introduced in 2022.

Transport for Wales has revealed that 38 of the new trains will serve North Wales plus five Class 230 D-Trains from Vivarail - converted from former London Underground stock.

The first images have now been released of the CAF Civity Diesel Multiple Units that will run on the North Wales main line.

Colin Lea, mobilisation director, Transport for Wales Rail Services, said: "As part of our journey to transform transport in Wales, we are delighted to confirm further details of our £800million investment in new rolling stock, to be delivered in partnership with Transport for Wales and Welsh Government.

“This investment will mean that by 2023, 95% of all passenger journeys on Wales and Borders services will be on brand new trains, 50% of which will be assembled in Wales.

“Our newly built rolling stock will be supplied by CAF and Stadler. Building on this investment, we will also be completely rebuilding ‘Class 230-D’ trains and bringing in the well-loved ‘mark IV’ long distance trains which will improve our passenger experience right across Wales and the Borders.

“For North Wales specifically, some long distance North-South services will be operated by the high-quality and well-loved ‘mark IV’ coaching stock, which will represent a step change in customer comfort and business class facilities.

"For shorter journeys, such as regular North Wales coast services, these will be served by the state of the art, newly built CAF Civity Diesel Multiple Units.

“Services for Wrexham-Bidston, Conwy Valley, Chester-Crewe will be operated initially through the Viva Rail ‘Class 230 D’ trains, fitted with the latest passenger comfort appliances such as power supply at all seats, high-speed Wi-Fi, air-cooling, bike spaces, and a brand new seating layout reflecting the needs of the passengers on these routes.

"When the newly built trains arrive, Conwy Valley will be one of the first routes to receive them, with the rebuilt ‘Class 230-D’ trains then serving the Wrexham-Bidston line, following representations from local passenger groups.

“This significant investment in rolling stock will be a major step in creating a transport network which Wales will be truly proud of.”

Economy and transport secretary, Ken Skates said: “Through our £5bn investment in rail services we are introducing innovative, cost effective and environmentally friendly travel solutions that have the needs of our passengers right at their heart.”

James Price, chief executive, Transport for Wales, commented: “We’re at the beginning of an exciting new journey as we transform our transport network and deliver a new vision for transport, with the people and places of Wales at the heart of our mission.”

Clwyd West MP David Jones said: “It’s to be hoped that the current substandard Arriva rolling stock will be replaced as soon as possible.

"It’s disappointing, however, that parts of North Wales will have to make do with 30-year-old former District Line trains, in contrast with South Wales, which will be having brand new rolling stock.”