UK: Alstom has been awarded contracts to modernise and maintain five Class 222 inter-city diesel multiple-units which FirstGroup is to lease from Eversholt Rail for use on Lumo branded open access services between Stirling and London.
The trainsets were built by Bombardier Transportation (now Alstom) and previously operated by East Midlands Railway under the Meridian name. They are scheduled to enter service with Lumo next year, when the operator launches the Stirling to London Euston route in addition to its existing Edinburgh – London services , which are formed of Hitachi trainsets.
Eversholt Rail has awarded a £10m fleet modernisation contract which will see Alstom’s Widnes site ‘refresh’ the five six-car Class 222 sets. This will included a full exterior repaint with Lumo’s branding, new ergonomically designed seating, new CCTV and Intelligent Engine Start-Stop to automatically shut down and restart the engines when stationary. Upgraded passenger wi-fi will be provided by Alstom’s Nomad Digital subsidiary.
‘Alstom’s ongoing involvement with the Class 222 fleet as the original equipment manufacturer will cement its pedigree as a high-quality inter-city train’, said Paul Sutherland, Client Services Director at Eversholt Rail, on June 4.
A £40m train services agreement with FirstGroup will see Alstom’s Central Rivers depot in Burton-upon-Trent maintain, overhaul, service and clean the five trains over the next five years.
The contracts will support 50 roles across the two sites, and more in Alstom’s UK supply chain.
‘By combining Alstom’s deep technical expertise with the operational excellence of FirstGroup and Eversholt Rail, we’re ensuring that fare-paying passengers benefit from a modern, reliable and comfortable travel experience between Stirling and London’, said Peter Broadley, Commercial Director UK & Ireland at Alstom.
