NS presents mock-up of CAF train
Netherlands Railways (NS) has unveiled a mock-up of the future high-capacity trains on order from CAF. NS ordered 30 four-car and 30 six-car EMUs from the Spanish supplier under a €600m contract awarded in December 2022. The trains are based on CAF’s Civity platform and will be the first deployed by NS to consist of both single-deck and double-deck coaches. They will be used solely for domestic services.
The mock-up has been split into several areas to give future passengers an impression of the train, with zones designated for socialising, working and quiet areas. Among the notable features is the introduction of bar-style seating along the windows in some coaches, providing passengers an attractive place to work onboard the train. Quintus Vosman
Škoda to overhaul NIM Express fleet
DB Regio has signed a contract with Škoda Group to overhaul six double-deck NIM Express trains used on services between Nuremberg and Munich. Each train consists of a driving trailer, four intermediate coaches, an end coach, and a Škoda 109E electric locomotive. The work will take place at Škoda’s facility in Šumperk, Czech Republic, and the company says it will include the overhaul of bogies, doors, traction converters, traction motors and wheelsets, and final testing.
Railpool upgrades Scandinavian fleet to ETCS Level 2 Baseline 3.4
Leasing company Railpool has completed the upgrade of its entire 60-strong electric locomotive fleet used in Scandinavia to ETCS Level 2 Baseline 3.4. Railpool worked with Alstom and BS Verkstäder to convert 32 Traxx 2 ac and eight Traxx 3 ac locomotives. ETCS onboard equipment was already fitted to the remaining 20 Traxx 3 ac locomotives in the fleet, which were purchased in the last two years. Railpool received funding through the European Union’s (EU) Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for the project.
Alstom expands maintenance agreement with Govia Thameslink
British operator Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has signed a £24.5m contract with Alstom to extend its existing technical support and spares supply (TSSSA) contract to include an extra 30 class 379 four-car Electrostar EMUs that GTR is reintroducing on its Greater Northern network covering services from London King’s Cross to Cambridge, Peterborough and King’s Lynn.
Porterbrook acquired the fleet from Akiem in March 2024 and the first trains entered service with GTR on February 10. The class 379s are the first GTR fleet to be fitted with Alstom’s HealthHub real-time monitoring system. The existing TSSSA worth £256m was signed in October 2022. Alstom provides support for the class 377 and class 387 fleets used on Southern, Gatwick Express, and Great Northern Services.
Alstom signs Traxx service agreement with Alpha Trains
Alstom has agreed an eight-year contract with Alpha Trains to service and maintain 10 Traxx Universal electric locomotives used for passenger and freight services in Sweden. The work will take place at Alstom’s maintenance facility at Motala in central Sweden where Alstom says it will invest in a new wheel press for changing and maintaining wheelsets and an upgraded bogie line. The agreement also includes maintenance of onboard signalling equipment.
CrossCountry unveils refreshed Turbostar DMU
British operator CrossCountry has returned the first refurbished class 170 Turbostar DMU to service. The programme covers 29 trains and a total of 80 cars and is due to be completed by 2028.
Work is taking place at Arriva’s rolling stock maintenance depot in Crewe and is funded by the owner of the DMU fleet, Porterbrook. Improvements include the installation of new tables, carpets and seats, mains and USB charging at all seats, removal of the first class area to increase overall capacity, refreshed toilets, improved passenger information systems, new CCTV, and the introduction of automatic passenger-counting equipment. The trains will operate inter-regional services routes from Cardiff to Nottingham via Birmingham, and Birmingham - Leicester - Stansted Airport.
