29.02.16
Most Heathrow Express Class 332s recalled after ‘crack’ in underframe
The majority of Heathrow Express trains have been pulled from service as a “safety precaution” after a fault emerged during a routine maintenance check.
Train drivers union Aslef told the BBC that there was a crack in the underframe of one of the Class 332s, discovered on Sunday by Siemens.
The fleet was recalled and each train will be “thoroughly inspected” over the coming days by a specialist team at the Old Oak Common depot.
In the meantime, Class 360s, usually seen on the Heathrow Connect service, will run every 15 minutes between Paddington and Heathrow over the next two days.
The Heathrow Connect itself will be suspended during this period, with passengers who wish to use the service being advised to take the 140 bus from the airport to Hayes & Harlington, followed by a Great Western Railway (GWR) service to Paddington.
GWR will also be rolling out extra trains between London Paddington and Hayes & Harlington.
Heathrow Express director, Fraser Brown, said: “While we regret the inconvenience this will cause to our customers and airport colleagues, safety remains our top priority.
“We are working with Siemens engineers, who manage our depot site and the maintenance of our trains, to understand the extent of this issue. When we are aware of what we are dealing with, we will be able to make a decision on when a full service will resume.”
(Top image c.AandT)