Alstom is halfway through a modernisation of Britain’s Class 323 fleet after completing an overhaul of the first 17 trains.
A team of 25 has delivered the first phase of the modernisation, which has involved Arriva North’s fleet of Class 323 EMUs, from Alstom’s Longsight depot.
The remaining 26 trains, which are operated by London Midland, will now be upgraded as part of an £11 million contract with the fleet’s owner, rolling stock leasing company Porterbrook.
Built by Hunslet through the early to mid 1990s, the upgrade has focussed on the trains’ power and control systems.
Mike Hulme, managing director, Trains and Modernisation, for Alstom in the UK, said: “The upgraded Class 323s are a vast improvement on the original. They are now more reliable and environmentally more acceptable, making them fit for purpose for the foreseeable future.
“We have an experienced team in Preston and Manchester, who have worked hard to make sure that this work is delivered on time and on budget. We now look forward to starting the process again for London Midland’s Class 323 fleet.”
The project is scheduled for completion in January 2017.
The Class 323’s have similar traction motors to the Class 365’s, Class 465s and Class 466’s and the Class 323’s are build by Hunslet as for the Class 365’s, 465’s and Class 466’s are built by Metro Cammell. But yes Class 323’s are used across Manchester and West Midlands including Birmingham and Staffordshire (along the WCML).
I thought the 365s (and some of the 465s) were built at York before ABB closed it down.
Properly you are right.