Thameslink route train refresh resumes

First Capital Connect has resumed its refresh programme of the

20-year-old Thameslink trains in a project worth approximately £4.5 million. 

The continued late delivery of newly-built Electrostar trains, being introduced as part of the Thameslink Programme, had forced FCC to put the work on hold but enough are now in service on the Brighton to Bedford route for the project to resume.

On Monday, 10 August, unit 319374 was delivered to RailCare at Wolverton, Buckinghamshire. Over four weeks its interior will be stripped out and replaced with new and refreshed fittings covering everything from seating to toilets, flooring and better lighting.
 

In addition, known issues that affect reliability, such as the door operation, will be addressed and a new livery applied.

At the end of August, FCC also hopes to have enough new trains to restart its £2.6m traction control reliability programme of the existing train fleet. It will also be able to accelerate the planned overhaul of the trains’ traction motors.

FCC Engineering and New Trains Director Neal Lawson said: “The Thameslink Programme has delivered new routes and an additional 2,475 morning and evening rush hour seats but we have only been able to maintain our timetable by suspending the important train refresh programme.

“It is great news that, despite the frustrations of the continued late delivery of our new Electrostars, we can now restart the refresh programme. This will give many more of our 20-year-old class 319s vastly improved interiors while at the same time improving reliability.”

Ends

Editor’s notes

1.This is the 42nd train to receive the major makeover and will take four weeks to complete. A second unit is planned to enter the RailCare works on 24 August.

2.The refresh programme had to be suspended in March because insufficient new Electrostar trains had been delivered to operate a new timetable introduced as part of the Thameslink Programme.The 22 March 2009 timetable was introduced as part of the £5.5bn Thameslink Programme to transform the Thameslink route and reduce overcrowding.

The new timetable allowed Network Rail to start redeveloping Blackfriars station. The new routes the timetable created into Kent and south London demanded an additional 23 new Electrostar trains. Only one new Electrostar had been delivered to FCC by the start of the 22 March timetable; there are now 9 in service.

Train operating companies Southern, Southeastern and London Midland have facilitated a rolling stock cascade to make additional trains available for FCC to operate the new timetable. FCC now has 4 Southern Class 377/2s in operation on the Thameslink route.

It is anticipated that the full fleet of 23 new Electrostar Class 377/5s will be delivered in time for the new December 2009 timetable.

3.The £5.5bn Thameslink Programme will transform the Thameslink route with longer, more frequent trains, new and improved stations and many more routes. For more information visit www.thameslinkprogramme.co.uk

For further details, please contact First Capital Connect on 0845 4700789.