British Rail Class 769

British Rail Class 769 Flex
In service 2018–
Manufacturer BREL York
Brush Traction (conversion)
Family name British Rail Mark 3
Constructed 2017–
Number under construction 13 × 4-car sets
Fleet numbers See below
Operator(s) Arriva Trains Wales
Northern
Depot(s) Allerton
Cardiff Canton
Specifications
Car body construction Steel[1]
Car length
  • 19.83 m (65.1 ft) (DTCO, DTSO)
  • 19.92 m (65.4 ft) (MSO, TSOL)[2]
Width 2.82 m (9 ft 3 in)[2]
Height 3.58 m (11 ft 9 in)[2]
Prime mover(s) MAN D2876
Engine type Diesel
Cylinder count 6
Electric system(s)
Current collection method Pantograph
Safety system(s) AWS, TPWS
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The British Rail Class 769 is a planned type of electro-diesel train intended for use in the United Kingdom. The train is a conversion of the existing Class 319 electric multiple unit through the addition of a pair of diesel engines to drive ABB alternators for the existing electric traction systems.

History

In 2014, Govia Thameslink Railway began returning its Class 319s to Porterbrook as they were replaced by Class 700s on Thameslink services. Twenty were leased to Northern Rail for use on newly electrified lines from Manchester to Liverpool and Preston.[3][4] A further 12 were leased in 2016 by Arriva Rail North, including the eight 319/4s that will be converted to 769s.[5]

In December 2016, Porterbrook in partnership with Northern, announced a plan to convert a small number of Class 319s to bi-mode units to provide for shortages of diesel multiple units following several electrification projects being postponed. They were initially referred to as the Class 319 Flex, before being designated as Class 769 units.[6][7][8] Northern have indicated that the use of these trains would be of most benefit on routes that are part electrified, whereby they would be able to use the pantograph for the main part, while being able to operate using diesel power away from the overhead lines.[9] The first route to be confirmed by Northern for the running of Class 769s was the Windermere branch line between Oxenholme and Windermere in North West England.[10]

Initially, a total of eight Class 319/4 units were selected for conversion.[11] These are intended for use by Northern. However, Porterbrook also plans to market the Class 769 to other operators.[12][13] In July 2017, Arriva Trains Wales announced it would take five units to allow its Class 150s and Class 158s to undergo modifications to comply with PRM regulations, as well as allowing the company to increase its fleet capacity.[14]

Fleet

Arriva Trains Wales

In July 2017, a further five units were subsequently authorised by the Welsh Government for use by Arriva Trains Wales.

Northern

A total of eight Class 319/4s were initially selected for conversion to Class 769s, for use with the Northern train operating company, with the first units arriving at Brush Traction, Loughborough for conversion in April 2017.[9][11]

Fleet details

Class Operator No. Built Year Built Unit nos.
Class 769 Arriva Trains Wales 5 1987–88
2017–18		 TBD
Northern 8 319424, 319431, 319434, 319442, 319448, 319450, 319456, 319458[nb 1]

Notes

  1. ↑ These units are due to be converted from Class 319/4 units

References

  1. ↑ "Vehicle Diagram Book No.210 for Electrical Multiple Units (including A.P.T.)" (PDF). Barrowmore MRG. BRB Residuary Ltd. EC209, EE233, EE234, EH234, EH238. Retrieved 20 February 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 "Class 319 Electric Multiple Unit" (PDF) (01) (A ed.). Porterbrook. August 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 April 2015. Retrieved 23 January 2014.
  3. ↑ "First cascaded Class 319 arrives in the North West" Rail Magazine issue 752 9 July 2014 page 22
  4. ↑ "Northern 319s in service". Modern Railways. Key Publishing. 5 March 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
  5. ↑ "Twelve further Class 319s set for Northern duties" Rail Magazine issue 803 22 June 2016 page 27
  6. ↑ Porterbrook and Northern to introduce bio-mode Class 319 Flex trains Porterbrook 22 December 2016
  7. ↑ Porterbrook and Northern to develop electro-diesel MU Railway Gazette International 22 December 2016
  8. ↑ Clinnick, Richard (31 January 2017). "Porterbrook plans hybrid conversion for 319s". Rail Magazine (818): 6–7.
  9. 1 2 Clinnick, Richard (1 February 2017). "Flex... and flexibility". Rail Magazine (819): 60–65.
  10. ↑ "Bi-mode Class 319s for Lakes Line". RailStaff. 2017-07-21. Retrieved 2017-08-02.
  11. 1 2 "Flex 319s to be Class 769s". Today's Railways (187): 73. July 2017.
  12. ↑ "319 bi-modes for Northern". Today's Railways (183): 69. March 2017.
  13. ↑ "Class 319 to go bi-mode". Rail Express. 20 January 2017.
  14. ↑ "Class 319 Flex electro-diesel multiple-units for Wales". Railway Gazette. 17 July 2017. Retrieved 17 July 2017.
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