This project is a culmination of several years’ work, beginning with the Class 321 Demonstrator project in 2013, with all three companies working in partnership to create a train that meets modern standards of passenger convenience and comfort.

Today, the second production unit enters passenger service following the very positive passenger feedback that greeted the introduction of unit one into service in late October.  In total, Eversholt Rail and Wabtec Faiveley UK are committed to delivering 30 modernised Renatus units to Greater Anglia.

The scope of the modernisation programme, carried out at Wabtec Faiveley UK’s new state-of-the-art production facility in Doncaster, includes:

• Total interior refurbishment including new seats, flooring and glazing
• Saloon air conditioning with remote status monitoring
• PRM compliant accessible and standard toilets with retention tanks
• Improved insulation and heating
• 240V power sockets for each row of seats
• Passenger Wi Fi
• Energy efficient LED lighting
• Larger vestibule  areas to improve passenger flows

The remaining 28 Class 321 Renatus units will be returned to passenger service over the next 18 months.

The first production unit is currently with Vossloh Kiepe UK Ltd having a new traction system fitted and will return to passenger service early in 2017. The new system improves journey times with better acceleration and reduces operating costs through lower energy consumption and regenerative braking.
Andy Course, Chief Operating Officer, Eversholt Rail, said: “We are delighted with the high quality Renatus train our partners have produced with this investment. We really believe it is transformational and that it will delight both Greater Anglia passengers now and passengers in other areas of the country for years to come.”

Jamie Burles, Greater Anglia’s Managing Director, said: “This major upgrade will transform the customer environment on these trains, which are used by thousands of our passengers every day. With air conditioning, new seats, new lighting, new toilets, Wi-Fi and power sockets, customers will see a real step change in the quality of the on-train experience, to offer a better, more comfortable journey while we plan for the arrival of brand new trains across the network from 2019. We are also spending £5 million on improving the reliability of all our current train fleet to improve performance while the new trains are being built.”

Ray Betler, President and CEO for Wabtec Corporation, said: “We are pleased with the strong, collaborative working on this major upgrade programme which will support Eversholt Rail Group delivering a significant improvement in transportation for UK passengers. We look forward to continuing to work closely with Eversholt Rail Group on the project.”
Tim Jenkins, Managing Director of Vossloh Kiepe UK Limited, said: “Vossloh Kiepe is delighted to have been chosen to supply and install its modern AC traction equipment on to these Class 321 units. We now look forward to working closely with Eversholt Rail and Wabtec Faiveley UK to ensure that the upgraded Renatus units become the best performing and passenger enhanced EMUs in the UK.”