Eversholt Rail today announced the completion of the upgrade to its Class 320 fleet and the start of a refurbishment and upgrade project to their Class 318 fleet, demonstrating continued investment in the ScotRail fleets.

The 22–strong Class 320 fleet has been upgraded to comply with European standards to improve accessibility for those with reduced mobility, known as PRM TSi compliance, by the 2020 deadline.

The work, undertaken by Wabtec in Doncaster, includes a C6 overhaul and features such as two wheelchair bays, footstep lighting, seat back grab handles and vestibule lino. New toilets have been installed following a review of National Passenger Survey results which showed customers’ dissatisfaction with trains that do not have toilets.

Key reliability work has also been carried out, which includes new saloon doors, renewal of air valves and corrosion repairs.

Eversholt Rail has invested £7.2m in the project.

In addition, Eversholt Rail will tomorrow (5 October) start its refurbishment of the Class 318 fleet, leased by ScotRail, with the first unit already at Wabtec. This fleet consists of 21×3 carriage units and the work will include a C6X overhaul, targeted PRM TSi work, reliveried interior and exterior, full interior rebrand, reliability enhancements and corrosion repairs. The work will take two–and–a–half years to complete, with around £11m investment from Eversholt Rail.

Steve Montgomery, ScotRail’s Managing Director, said: “We welcome the work to further improve the condition of these trains and hope that the changes will enhance the overall experience for our customers. Passengers travelling from and to Helensburgh, Balloch, Dalmuir, Milngavie, Airdrie, Springburn, Larkhall, Lanark, Carstairs and Coatbridge Central stations will benefit from the works.”

Mary Kenny, Chief Executive Officer of Eversholt Rail, said: “We are delighted to deliver the upgraded Class 320 to ScotRail. We are particularly pleased that our target of achieving PRM TSi compliance and improving access for all on this fleet is well ahead of the 2020 deadline. The Class 320 upgrade, along with the refurbishment of the Class 318 fleet, demonstrates the importance of Scotland to us and our commitment to delivering the best value and highest quality proposition to our customers and rail passengers.”

Transport Minister, Keith Brown, said: “I would like to congratulate all partners involved in the successful refurbishment of the 22 Class 320 electric trains, which have already greatly improved rail passengers’ experience in central Scotland. The work includes new fully accessible toilets on board and these trains will be well used by the many visitors and spectators travelling by rail to venues for next year’s Commonwealth Games events across Glasgow.”

Wabtec Group Managing Director, Chris Weatherall, said: “Wabtec Rail are extremely pleased to have been able to demonstrate our engineering expertise by upgrading and refurbishing the Class 320 fleet, and to provide the ScotRail passengers with greatly improved facilities at a fraction of the cost of building new trains. We look forward to continuing to demonstrate such value for money in the refurbishment of existing trains with the Class 318 fleet.”