Modernisation of 17 trains completed by Alstom
ALSTOM has completed modernisation work on 17 Class 323 trains operated by Arriva North and run on Manchester’s electrified rail network.
The work, which involves upgrading the trains’ power and control electronics to make them more environmentally efficient, was completed at Alstom’s specialist train care centre in Longsight, Manchester.
The materials and parts required to undertake the work were assembled at Alstom’s Preston site.
A highly-skilled team of 25 engineers and managers from the North West, including two apprentices, worked on the project. Another three graduates at Alstom completed training placements at Preston while work was taking place.
Alstom completed the work for train leasing company Porterbrook. As part of the same contract, which is worth £11m, Alstom will now upgrade the remaining 26 Class 323 trains in operation for London Midland.
Mike Hulme, managing director, trains and modernisation, for Alstom in the UK, said: “The upgraded Class 323s are a vast improvement on the original. They are now more reliable and environmentally more acceptable, making them fit for purpose for the foreseeable future.”
“We have an experienced team in Preston and Manchester, who have worked hard to make sure that this work is delivered on time and on budget. We now look forward to starting the process again for London Midland’s Class 323 fleet.”
The 43-strong Class 323 fleet of trains was first built between 1993 and 1995, by Hunslet in Leeds.
They are electric multiple unit trains which means that they consist of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the power source. Each unit comprises three cars.
Alstom won the contract to upgrade the fleet’s power and control electronics in 2014. The entire contract is expected to be delivered by January 2017.
