Rolling stock

29.01.18

Arriva Wales completes £500,000 carriage revamp as franchise draws to a close

Arriva Trains Wales has completed a £500,000 makeover of the interiors of its rolling stock.

In response to customer and community feedback, 60 carriages on 17 routes have been refurbished, which the train operator says will give travellers on the Valley Lines a more comfortable journey.

The renovation, which used 365 litres of paint and 917 metres of window film, has also seen wi-fi installed across the refurbished trains.

Simon Hughes, engineering director at Arriva Train Wales, said that the works were a great way to start the new year.

“In order to sustain our commitment to provide high-quality service to customers, we have invested in refurbishing the carriages and hope that passengers using the network will notice a real difference to the facilities,” he explained.

“We have also delivered free, fast and reliable wi-fi on trains across the Valley Lines network to further modernise the trains and enhance passenger experience.

“This is a part of a wider programme of wi-fi rollout funded by the Welsh Government and Department for Transport.”

He added: “Even at the end of our current franchise, it’s really important to us that we continue to invest alongside in our partner in Network Rail and the Welsh Government.

“We want to improve to ensure that we prepare for the exciting changes which are coming down the line for our customers.

“Older trains such as our Valleys fleet need to be cared for to ensure that we provide the best possible experience from our available rolling stock.”

Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become an RTM columnist? If so, click here.

Comments

MR CHRISTOPHER HARRIS   30/01/2018 at 18:08

Those carriages still smell of fuel, the suspension is still hard and the breaks, deafening... New carriages please, not painted, 40 year old stock from the chassis of busses.

Chris   30/01/2018 at 23:32

As mentioned. New trains for 21st Century travel. Not painted old stock. It’s disgraceful that profit is going back to Germany, Holland and China. Directors and shareholders lining there pockets. Modern, clean and extra carriages. ‘Glad to have you aboard’ is really a joke!

Pete   31/01/2018 at 08:03

Painted turds. That Leyland buses on wheels still represent the backbone of rail services in large parts of 21st century Britain is nothing less than a national embarrassment.

Andrew Gwilt   31/01/2018 at 08:45

The Class 142’s and Class 143’s operated by GWR and Arriva Trains Wales will be replaced by other trains including the Class 230’s. As well the Northern Class 144’s are also to be replaced.

Revolting Peasant   31/01/2018 at 11:07

Andrew, on what basis do you make the racy claim that 230s are being introduced in Wales, have you had sight of the winning franchise bidder's fleet strategy, or are you actually an employee of Transport for Wales?

Mark Stay   31/01/2018 at 15:27

Were you not aware Revolting that Andrew is the World's foremost authority on stock allocations and transfers. He's also adept at filling empty space....

Wearyreader   31/01/2018 at 15:50

clearly not the space between his ears......

Andrew Gwilt   31/01/2018 at 21:30

How about you shut it Wearyreader.

Allhailthegwilt   01/02/2018 at 12:20

Usual intelligent response from Andrew when someone challenges him on his spurious claims which have no basis or foundation in fact. Again Andrew, where has it been published that Class 230s are heading to Wales?

Andrew Gwilt   01/02/2018 at 13:02

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_230 There’s your answer.

Andrew Gwilt   01/02/2018 at 13:04

Vivarail stated that they planned to pitch the converted trains to a number of train operating companies (TOCs), especially those bidding for the Northern franchise which was awarded in December 2015. They positioned them as a cost-effective alternative to buying brand new rolling stock, enabling TOCs to replace the "Pacer" railbuses in the North of England with upcycled Tube stock. However, Arriva won the bidding for the Northern franchise in December 2015 and their rolling stock plan involves purchasing brand new stock as well as taking on additional cascaded 4 car EMUs. So there you have it.

Spanish Pete   01/02/2018 at 21:34

“So there you have it.” Oh dear. Andrew, read the Wikipedia article again, more carefully this time. The piece you quoted appears under the heading “Marketing”. This is something companies do to try to close the gap between the fantasy of what they would like to happen and the reality of what is actually happening on the ground. It is a distinction you appear unable to make. In fact, mention of Arriva Trains Wales appears under the heading “Potential customers” further down the page. The clue is in the word “Potential”.

Andrew Gwilt   02/02/2018 at 10:05

Spanish Pete. Fair point.

Nonsuchmike   02/02/2018 at 17:58

Well, if the Arriva company is so proud of these boxes, let them be put on the regular Waterloo to Hampton Court route, or the Caterham flyer, or to Epsom via Raynes Park. Then have plenty of media people handy to take the comments of the commuters as they get off at the terminals. They wouldn't last the week, I'll be bound.

Add your comment

rail technology magazine tv

more videos >

latest rail news

Major station improvements and electric vehicle charging hubs

09/09/2020Major station improvements and electric vehicle charging hubs

Following the announcement of Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR) programme to develop numerous stations, today (9 Sept) on World Electric Veh... more >
Contract awarded by Network Rail to strengthen bridges

09/09/2020Contract awarded by Network Rail to strengthen bridges

Three contracts have been awarded by Network Rail to carry out strengthening work to three railway bridges across the Wessex route in the South o... more >
New electric train fleet revealed for Birmingham’s Cross-City Line

09/09/2020New electric train fleet revealed for Birmingham’s Cross-City Line

The electric train fleet set to transform travel on Birmingham’s Cross-City Line has been revealed to rail passengers in the West Midlands.... more >

last word

Encouraging youngsters to be safe on the railway

Encouraging youngsters to be safe on the railway

This summer, Arriva Group's CrossCountry and the Scout Association joined to launch a new partnership to promote rail safety among young people. Chris Leech MBE, business community manager at the... more > more last word articles >

'the sleepers' daily blog

On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

29/06/2020On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

Following an independent audit, Sulzer’s Nottingham Service Centre has been accepted as part of the rail industry supplier approval scheme (RISAS). The accreditation reinforces the high-quality standards that are maintained by Sulzer’s network of independent repair facilities across the UK and further afield in its global network. ... more >
read more blog posts from 'the sleeper' >

comment

The challenge of completing Crossrail

05/07/2019The challenge of completing Crossrail

With a new plan now in place to deliver Crossrail, Hedley Ayres, National Audit Office manager, major projects and programmes, takes a look at ho... more >
Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

04/07/2019Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

The move to decarbonise the rail network involves shifting to cleaner modes of traction by 2050. David Clarke, technical director at the Railway ... more >
Sunshine future beckons for South Wales Railways, says 10:10 Climate Action’s Leo Murray

02/07/2019Sunshine future beckons for South Wales Railways, says 10:10 Climate Action’s Leo Murray

Smart electrification is the way to boost clean energy resources, argues Leo Murray, director at 10:10 Climate Action. Contractors are clear... more >
Ambition doesn’t have to be expensive, says Midland Connect's Maria Machancoses

02/07/2019Ambition doesn’t have to be expensive, says Midland Connect's Maria Machancoses

The TCR Midlands conference is only days away and tickets are going fast for the sector event of the year at the Vox Conference Centre in Birming... more >

rail industry focus

View all News

interviews

Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

24/06/2019Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

Andrew Haines, the Chief Executive of Network Rail, has told the Today programme on Radio 4's BBC’s flagship news programme that he wo... more >