Porterbrook awarded Bombardier Transportation a GBP 11 million (EUR 12.5 million) contract to convert 12 Class 387 Electrostar trains that will serve the Heathrow Express rail link.
Under the contract, Bombardier will install Digital Railway in-cab ‘ETCS’ signaling system as well as on-board conversions including improved seating, additional luggage space, at seat power, on-board TV and fast WiFi.
The modified trains will form a dedicated Heathrow Express fleet as part of a management contract announced in March 2018 which sees Great Western Railway deliver some of the operational aspects of the airport service.
Engineering and design work will take place at Bombardier’s Derby Litchurch Lane works, with fitment taking place at the company’s Ilford depot.
The work will be completed by December 2019, meeting the Secretary of State’s commitment to replace existing rolling stock on the route with highly reliable, digitally enabled, Electrostar trains as well as extend the track access agreement to confirm the Heathrow Express service running until at least 2028.
Fitment of ETCS to the Class 387 Electrostar trains will be the first time that digital signalling has been installed on an existing fleet of electric passenger trains.
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