CONSTRUCCIONES y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF) Class 397 electric multiple units (EMUs) are part of the Spanish manufacturer’s Civity family of units, with 12 owned by rolling stock leasing company Eversholt Rail Group and leased to TransPennine Express for use on Manchester Airport and Liverpool Lime Street to Glasgow Central and Edinburgh Waverley routes.
The five-car EMUs were branded Nova 2 by TPE as part of its Nova Fleet (Nova 1s being Hitachi Bi-Mode Class 802s and Nova 3s being the now replaced Mk.5A locomotive-hauled sets). Options were put in place in the contract for further orders if needed (particularly if electrification was extended and passenger numbers carried on increasing).
The ‘397s’ represented a major step up in performance and passenger comfort from the Class 350/4 sets they replaced (the Siemens sets previously operating over the routes between December 2013 and April 2020). The Class 397s feature extensive luggage space, 125mph capability, 60% of seating at table, four toilets per five-car set, room for two wheelchairs and advanced passenger information facilities.
The trains are fitted with wi-fi throughout with media streaming options, USB sockets at each seat, a real-time information system and live electronic seat reservations (with highly visible red and green lighting above seats to indicate reservation status). Another unusual passenger feature for new rolling stock is full alignment between windows and seating.
In terms of railway operations, the
