29.05.15
Apprentices inspect new ScotRail AT200 trains
Hitachi Rail Europe introduced a group of ScotRail apprentices to their new fleet of AT200 commuter trains last week, giving them a preview of the new modular electric trains they will be maintaining for the Abellio ScotRail franchise.
The event, held in Glasgow as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, also included a presentation from Jon Veitch, Scotland general manager for Hitachi Rail Europe. He spoke to over 30 apprentices and participated in a question-and-answer session on what the future ScotRail fleet will look like.
Ross Short, a fourth-year ScotRail apprentice engineer at Corkerhill depot, said: “It’s great to see what the future holds for us as apprentices and for ScotRail. We’re at the start of our careers in the railway, and it’s exciting seeing the new trains that we’ll be working on.
“I currently work on some of the oldest fleet, the 156s, so the difference between them and the AT200s goes to show how well the rail industry is progressing. There’s a lot of investment going into the rail network, so it’s certainly an exciting time to be working at ScotRail.”
Made up of 46 three-car and 24 four-car EMU units, the new trains will run on the Glasgow-Edinburgh and Stirling-Alloa-Dunblane lines. The upgrade of the Glasgow-Edinburgh line will enable eight-car electric vehicles to run between the cities, improving capacity by 50% at peak times.
The AT200 model features regenerative braking systems which allow a 12% reduction in carbon emissions when compared to other rolling stock.
The interiors feature cantilever seating and options for 2+2 and 2+1 seating arrangements. They also include improved personal technology capabilities such as wi-fi as well as USB and power sockets at every seat.
They are due to go into service in late 2017.
Veitch said: “It was an absolute pleasure to take part in this event organised by Abellio ScotRail to celebrate Apprenticeship Week in Scotland. Hitachi Rail Europe is committed to the training and development of apprentices, growing our business and giving the next generation of engineers an opportunity to work with Hitachi Rail Europe.”
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