20.11.13
FCC Class 365 refresh awarded to Bombardier
Bombardier Transportation has won a two-year contract to undertake enhancements and heavy maintenance to Class 365 trains, Eversholt Rail has announced.
The £30m contract was originally placed with Railcare, but the company entered administration on 31 July this year and the work was put out to re-tender.
Work will take place at Bombardier’s Ilford depot and include underframe heavy maintenance to maximise the availability of the 40 four-car fleet, as well as an interior refresh and fully automated passenger information systems. The trains are currently leased to First Capital Connect.
The first train is expected back in service from early 2014 and additional accessibility improvements will be made in the spring to bring the rolling stock in line with disability regulations.
Mary Kenny, chief executive officer of Eversholt Rail, said: “We are pleased to have selected Bombardier Transportation. This means that we can continue with our programme to refresh the Class 365 trains, enabling passengers to enjoy the benefits of the improved fleet. We will continue to look at future opportunities to work with Knorr-Bremse Rail Services, the new owners of Railcare.”
David Statham, managing director, First Capital Connect, said “I am delighted that our passengers will soon be able to enjoy a more comfortable and modern travel environment as well as a more reliable service. This major investment will deliver brighter, new look trains with much better on-board information. Enhanced accessibility features will also be made to meet the needs of all our passengers.”
Francis Paonessa, chairman of Bombardier Transportation UK, said: “This investment in the Class 365 fleet allows Bombardier to build on its strategic relationship with Eversholt Rail Group. It is a vote of confidence in our asset maintenance and upgrade capabilities and in the skills of our people in Ilford.”
For more from Ilford depot, see RTM’s report on the Class 317 C6x pre-series development earlier this year.
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