PRESS RELEASE. 29 January Passengers welcome refurbished trains on Cambrian Line

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Sharyl Harmon
5 years ago
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1 PRESS RELEASE 29 January 2013 Passengers welcome refurbished trains on Cambrian Line Rail passengers in Wales are benefiting from more comfortable trains following LNWR s complete overhaul and refurbishment of 24 Arriva Trains Wales Class 158 DMU* trains. The 9.5 million contract, commissioned by Angel Trains and delivered by leading UK rail maintenance specialist LNWR, started in early 2011 and was completed successfully with the final fully refurbished train now back in service on the Cambrian Line. The refurbishment, which took place at LNWR s heavy maintenance and paint facility in Crewe, saw a complete re-fit of the trains to create a new carriage interior. Passengers have been so impressed with the work carried out that many thought that the trains were new. Alongside new interiors and seating, LNWR has also fitted: a new Passenger Information System which improves journey information for Arriva s customers low energy lighting that reduces demand on the train s electrical systems and improves fuel consumption, which helps contribute towards reducing overall CO 2 emissions power points so that passengers can now plug in their phones and laptops adding to the convenience and enjoyment of their journey, and a new air-conditioning system in the cab to make the trains more comfortable for Arriva s drivers. The trains have been repainted in Arriva s eye-catching livery and have new windows. Work has also been carried out on the door entry system on the trains to extend their life and improve reliability. LNWR managing director, Mark Knowles, said: Renovating the fleet was a major project and the experienced team we have at Crewe were central to its success.

2 We have balanced delivering a consistently high-quality refurbishment with turning around one unit every three weeks, which was good news for both passengers and our clients. Our ability to manage complex projects and keep trains out of service for the minimum amount of time will be beneficial as we continue to bid for future contracts. Mike Bagshaw, Commercial Director for Arriva Trains Wales said; We are pleased with the result of the work carried out by LNWR and funded by the Welsh Government. This project has totally transformed our Class 158 fleet and is an important investment in Welsh rail services Passengers that have used the 158s already in service have provided us with lots of positive feedback in terms of the comfort, fresh presentation and the provision of power sockets an important feature for passengers making long distance journeys. Angel Trains own the Class 158 fleet which is leased to Arriva Trains Wales. Mark Hicks, Technical Director at Angel Trains, said: This is the first major contract we have carried out with LNWR and they have demonstrated the team-based approach needed for a project of this complexity. Angel Trains, LNWR and Arriva Trains Wales worked closely to create a robust project plan that has delivered significant investment in rolling stock and created a modernised fleet which is ready to deliver many more years of service for rail passengers in Wales. Ends For further information contact: Mark Knowles, managing director, +44 (0) or m.knowles@lnwr.com or via Notes to editor: The last Class 158 Diesel Multiple Units(DMU) entered service at the end of October 2012, with 4 trains returning to LNWR for new exterior doors in November and December 2012 The project has been selected as a finalist in the category of Rolling Stock Excellence for the 2012 Rail Business Awards, to be determined in February 2013 LNWR (London and North Western Railway Co Ltd) is part of the Arriva group. It provides a comprehensive range of maintenance services from its primary location in Crewe where 130 people are employed. LNWR has four other locations, Bristol, Cambridge, Eastleigh and Tyne Yard. In total the company has sales of 42m and employs some 200 staff.

3 Major maintenance, refurbishment and overhaul work is undertaken on all types of traction and rolling stock. Four major operators of scheduled passenger services rely on the company for their overnight servicing and repairs and LNWR additionally supports a range of locomotives and rolling stock engaged in freight and charter operations. Arriva is one of the largest providers of passenger transport in mainland Europe, employing more than 47,500 people and providing more than 1.5 billion passenger journeys every year. Arriva, which is part of Deutsche Bahn (DB), provides transport services including buses, trains, commuter coaches and waterbuses in 12 European countries. (Czech Republic, Denmark, Hungary, Italy, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the UK.) In the UK, Arriva operates Arriva Trains Wales, Chiltern Railways, CrossCountry, Grand Central Railways, Tyne and Wear Metro and London Overground (a joint venture with MTR Corporation). Arriva also provides rail services in Denmark, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden. Arriva Trains Wales has more than 2,000 employees and operates trains across 1,000 route miles. It has 126 trains and manages more than 240 stations. 950 services are operated each weekday. Arriva Trains Wales provides inter-urban, rural and commuter passenger rail services throughout Wales and the English border counties. It operates all stations in Wales, and those predominantly served by it in the border counties, including Chester, Shrewsbury and Hereford. Arriva Trains Wales works closely with the Welsh Assembly Government to deliver the rail elements of the Assembly s National Transport Plan. This includes investment in more than 30 million in train maintenance, fleet reliability improvements and refurbishment, station upgrades, improved ticketing and customer information facilities, and customer and employee security. Angel Trains was created in 1994 as one of three rolling stock companies (ROSCOs) in preparation for the privatisation of the rail industry. It was briefly owned by the Japanese investment bank, Nomura and from 1997 until 2008 was a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. During this time, Angel Trains created an international business and by August 2008 had 400 locomotives and more than 230 passenger trains on lease or on order in eleven countries in mainland Europe, in addition to its existing UK fleet. In August 2008, Angel Trains Group was bought by a consortium of investors. On acquisition, Angel Trains International became a separately owned company, now called Alpha Trains. Angel Trains Ltd employs just over 100 professional and experienced staff at its headquarters in Victoria, London and in a second office in Derby.

4 Class 158 following refurbishment at LNWR Crewe

5 painted and ready to depart LNWR Crewe

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