The need to provide additional capacity while improving reliability and reducing costs has energised the market for rolling stock refurbishment and retractioning in Britain. Keith Barrow considers whether innovative rebuilds of older trains can deliver passenger satisfaction and operational efficiency.

VIVARAIL has begun dynamic testing of its prototype D-Train DMU on the test track at its base at Long Marston in central England.

A shortage of suitable DMU stock means operators on many regional and suburban routes in
Britain are struggling to cope with an inadequate fleet of ageing trains. One solution could be the conversion of former London Underground trains to DMUs, as Keith Barrow discovers.

VIVARAIL, Britain, has awarded Strukton Rail a contract to supply traction and onboard equipment for the type D78 metro trains it recently purchased from London Underground and which it plans to convert to DMUs for heavy rail operation.