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Wabtec Awarded Contract For £60M Class 321 Refurbishment Project.

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fgwrich

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I've not seen this mentioned on here yet today, but Wabtec has been awarded the contract to refurbish all of Eversholt Rail's Class 321 EMUs to the same standard as the demonstrator unit 321448. Not sure which seating configuration this will result in - the Demonstrator had both refurbished Ashbourne's & New ATD Quantum's (as used on all new stuff from Bombardier at the moment).

Wabtec awarded £60million contract for class 321 refurbishment project
June 02, 2015


Wabtec has been awarded a £60 million contract from Eversholt Rail to refurbish the leasing company's class 321s, following a successful class 321 demonstrator programme lasting 15 months.

The demonstrator, which saw intensive passenger service, comprised of a number of different interiors to enable passengers to give their feedback regarding their preferred option.

The Renatus project has illustrated how a high quality refurbishment programme can deliver the same passenger experience as a new train, but at a fraction of the cost.

Andy Course, Chief Operating Officer of Eversholt Rail Group said ‘We started this phase of the project in July 2014 and it is incredible to see what has been achieved in such a short space of time. Our partnership with Wabtec will raise the bar on what can be achieved in a mid-life upgrade and will deliver a great and cost-effective transformation in passenger experience’

http://railannouncement.zenfolio.co...-contract-for-class-321-refurbishment-project
 
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WatcherZero

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Saw another news article, not a lot different didn't say which layout either only that Eversholt had decided to refurb them all in time for the the start of the next Anglia franchise before knowing if the winner of the franchise will use them because they figure someone somewhere will want them and they want to get the 2019 accessibility modifications done.
 

Alfie1014

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This slightly more detailed article in Railway Gazette states that the £60M contract covers the development of the programme and the first 30 sets to be completed by 2017. No mention of re-tractioning though.

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/...iew/view/class-321-emus-to-be-born-again.html

Sorry can't post the content at the moment.

UK: Leasing company Eversholt Rail has awarded Wabtec a £60m contract to refurbish its fleet of Class 321 outer-suburban electric multiple-units, under a programme which is designed to provide ‘maintainability, cost effectiveness and the look and feel of a new train’.

The contract signed on May 28 covers engineering development for the refurbishment programme, and the overhaul of an initial batch of 30 four-car units which are due to return to service between spring 2016 and late 2017. Work is to be undertaken by a dedicated production facility at Wabtec’s Doncaster site.

Eversholt and Wabtec have been working since July 2014 to develop a Class 321 refurbishment concept. This has included the production of a demonstrator unit with two styles of interior which was used to gather operator and passenger feedback over 15 months in service.

Eversholt has branded the refurbished Class 321 as Renatus, Latin for ‘born again’, ‘to reflect the scale of reinvention and transformation that will be achieved’ by the programme.

The EMUs to be refurbished are currently leased to Abellio Greater Anglia. They are not committed for use beyond the end of the current franchise in October 2016, but Eversholt said it is ‘investing in the fleet to ensure they are available to serve passengers on day one of any new franchise.’

The contract is designed to facilitate the upgrade of all of the leasing company’s Class 321 EMUs as the government’s rail franchising programme proceeds, and to meet the requirement for all rolling stock to comply with PRM TSI by the end of 2019.
 
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159220

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This slightly more detailed article in Railway Gazette states that the £60M contract covers the development of the programme and the first 30 sets to be completed by 2017. No mention of re-tractioning though.

http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/...iew/view/class-321-emus-to-be-born-again.html

Sorry can't post the content at the moment.

Hmm interesting that it is only 30. This follows on from the Direct Award in 2014 to AGA

Accessibility improvements to 12 Class 321s ‘as a precursor to further rolling stock improvements which would be agreed as part of the next Greater Anglia franchise’. Abellio will also work with fleet owner Eversholt Leasing to evaluate options for starting refurbishment of a small number of Class 321s before the end of the short-term franchise;

Sounds as if under the direct award, they have exercised the loosely worded agreement for an additional 18?
 

Alfie1014

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My impression of these statement(s) is that this is being led by Eversholt who have to do something to their fleet prior to Dec 2019 to meet PRM TSI but are leaving the door open on where the trains could end up and mindful of what bidders might propose for the next franchise.
 

Aictos

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That's tasteful? I disagree, that looks like it was designed by someone with zero sense of style and what looks like it will cause migraines from day 1!

Not to mention it looks dated and tacky!
 

fgwrich

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Well I hope they make a better job on the interior colour scheme on the production ones, the demonstrator is migraine inducing.

The colours are too bright, the lights are far too bright over the seats and the light floors and panels have shown dirt very quickly.

Here's how it can be done tastefully....

https://thebeautyoftransport.files....ord_-_joncherolles_-_interieur_z_50000_01.jpg

That's tasteful? I disagree, that looks like it was designed by someone with zero sense of style and what looks like it will cause migraines from day 1!

Not to mention it looks dated and tacky!

Looks like it was designed over a pack of Wine Gums!
 

Goldfish62

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That's tasteful? I disagree, that looks like it was designed by someone with zero sense of style and what looks like it will cause migraines from day 1!

Not to mention it looks dated and tacky!

Yes, like many of the refurbished TGVs.
 

Wivenswold

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Okay, perhaps the colours could be a better match but look at the lighting. Not brash, nice effect of having underlighting too. I think it looks much classier than most of the interiors I've seen on trains lately, perhaps with the exception of the design for the New Tube for London.

I don't see a problem with "dated". Train interiors look like they're designed by children these days.
 

Brian Aylott

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Hmm interesting that it is only 30. This follows on from the Direct Award in 2014 to AGA



Sounds as if under the direct award, they have exercised the loosely worded agreement for an additional 18?

Why is 30 interesting?
30 out of 117 units are being done between Spring 2016 and late 2017
All 117 units will be done by 1/1/2020
Brian
 

D365

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Why is 30 interesting?
30 out of 117 units are being done between Spring 2016 and late 2017
All 117 units will be done by 1/1/2020
Brian

Will the similar Class 320 and Class 222 fleets also be refurbished? And how about the TSO carriages which ScotRail is proposing to remove from the 7 321s that they will receive..?
 

Chris125

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Tony Miles on wnxx understands this does include re-tractioning, and it would seem to fit the expected cost.

Chris
 

Wolfie

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Well I hope they make a better job on the interior colour scheme on the production ones, the demonstrator is migraine inducing.

The colours are too bright, the lights are far too bright over the seats and the light floors and panels have shown dirt very quickly.

Here's how it can be done tastefully....

https://thebeautyoftransport.files....ord_-_joncherolles_-_interieur_z_50000_01.jpg

You are joking, right? That looks like a job lot of low-cost airline surplus moquette applied completely randomly... still I guess no more complaints about mismatched seat cushions;)<D
 
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colchesterken

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I went up to London the other day, got a 321 I thought it looked very smart , I realised it was one of the midland units which had a small refurb when they came to Anglia
they go well just need a tidy up, new seat cushions and covers, they will go on for another 10 yrs
Why have we become obsessed with new toys. I just want a reliable train that runs well and gets there on time
 

Wivenswold

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You are joking, right? That looks like a job lot of low-cost airline surplus moquette applied completely randomly... still I guess no more complaints about mismatched seat cushions;)<D

Er, no and I'm not just looking at the cushion colours. Tip-up seats near the doors, high gloss (therefore vandal proof) panels, ambient floor lighting for the visually impaired, brighter lighting near the doors, softer lighting over seats, full width walk-throughs and, for a people-mover, it has the right balance of space and seating.

Also to Colchester Ken. The 321s are largely fit for purpose until it turns cold then they are drafty. The heating is unpredictable and they are like ovens at the height of summer. And good luck trying to have kip on one. The door bang from a passing train will wake you with a start. The PA systems are hopeless, they provide limited accessibility and the seat cushions are often loose or missing. I think you have to travel on them all year round to appreciate their short comings.

It's not about new toys, it's about keeping them up-to-date as our fares are mile-for-mile more expensive than lines with new stock.
 

CC 72100

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Okay, perhaps the colours could be a better match but look at the lighting. Not brash, nice effect of having underlighting too. I think it looks much classier than most of the interiors I've seen on trains lately, perhaps with the exception of the design for the New Tube for London.

The interiors have to be functional though - I'm honestly not sure what the Z50000, a class I am familiar with, will look like in 10 years time.

Will all the nice underlighting remain like that? Given that on other suburban lines units are running around with isolated traction motors for months on end (source: two 'Transilien' drivers), replacing those lights when they go won't be a priority.

All that nice white plastic may shine for now, but give it a few years when Northern Paris' finest has attacked it God knows how many times and it will start to look scruffy very quickly!

In its defense, I don't find the colourful seats garish in real life and it certainly isn't as 'dramatic' in a negative sense during the day.
 

387star

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apparently first 321 ready towards end of the year and will have a specific livery 'in keeping with AGA colors' whatever that means

also 170s getting new seat covers
 

DarloRich

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apparently first 321 ready towards end of the year and will have a specific livery 'in keeping with AGA colors' whatever that means

also 170s getting new seat covers

maybe they will paint it blue and yellow in honour of Nederlandse Spoorwegen ;)
 

Wivenswold

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I'm surprised this hasn't been mentioned already but 321 303 is already undergoing refurbishment at Doncaster. It went on 20th August and will hopefully be back early in 2016.
 

EssexGonzo

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I never found 321448 as comfortable as the old stock, particularly in the summer when the alleged aircon didn't appear to work well enough.

And the lighting was hospital bright!
 

Bletchleyite

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I never found 321448 as comfortable as the old stock, particularly in the summer when the alleged aircon didn't appear to work well enough.

Oh dear. Air cooling on the cheap rather than proper aircon maybe?

And the lighting was hospital bright!

The lesson of fGW hasn't been learnt, then. There are so many good things you can do with LED lighting that doesn't just involve lots of them in a long row.
 

Wivenswold

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Agree about the lighting and the possibilities with LEDs. I've never understood the obsession with bright white lighting in the seating areas. When you add in the day-glo seat covers it made it headache inducing.
 

cjmillsnun

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Will the similar Class 320 and Class 222 fleets also be refurbished? And how about the TSO carriages which ScotRail is proposing to remove from the 7 321s that they will receive..?

Or the similar 319s?
 

Bletchleyite

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Agree about the lighting and the possibilities with LEDs. I've never understood the obsession with bright white lighting in the seating areas. When you add in the day-glo seat covers it made it headache inducing.


Yes, it is terrible. So many good things can be done with LEDs - background lighting, spots etc, yet they mostly seem to be used as surrogate fluorescent tubes.

The only UK vehicle I've seen them used to properly good effect on is the Borismaster.
 
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