ScotRail has announced a four million pound refurbishment of its Class 334 fleet.
Agreement has been reached with Railway Projects Limited in Derby for a major overhaul of the 40 three-carriage trains.
Ian Duffy, managing director of Railway Projects Limited said:
“We are delighted to have secured this important contract which will generate up to 20 jobs in Scotland.”
Much of the work is being sub-contracted to Kilmarnock-based Brodie Engineering – triggering expansion plans for its rail vehicle overhaul facility and leading to a phased increase in employment in the Kilmarnock area, with up to 20 new jobs.
Gerry Hilferty, managing director of Brodie Engineering said:
“This work fits well with our expansion strategy. We have an excellent relationship and a longstanding history of success working with ScotRail and Railway Projects Limited. I am confident this expansion will also inject new business into the local economy.”
The project begins in November this year and is expected to take two years to complete.
Kenny Scott, engineering director of ScotRail, said:
“The seats will be recovered, new flooring laid and interior finishes upgraded. In addition the exterior will be painted in the Transport Scotland-designed ‘Saltire’ livery that is gradually appearing on all ScotRail trains.
Class 334 trains operate primarily on the Helensburgh/Milngavie – Edinburgh via Airdrie and Bathgate line that opened in December 2010.
Previously the fleet was widely used in Ayrshire and Inverclyde, before the arrival of the new class 380 trains earlier this year.
THat new Scotrail livery looks 100000000000000 times better than that revolting hearing-aid-beige and red livery they had before.
I regularly take Junipers between Reading and Staines. Are the 334s 2+2 seating or 2+3?
2+2
The ScotRail ones are a mix of 2+2 and 3+2 (more the latter in my experience but that may just be the routes I’ve used)