Northern p10-11
24/3/16
13:15
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THE SHAPE OF THINGS TO COME: an artist’s impression of a four-car Class 331 electric unit.
Refresh set to improve comfort and reliability A series of upgrades and modifications of Northern’s existing stock are set to boost comfort and train reliability. The refresh, to be carried out in a rolling programme up to December 2019 at multiple engineering maintenance facilities, will cover 60 per cent of the fleet. Where possible the refresh programmes will be scheduled to coincide with regular C4 and C6 maintenance regimes to ensure maximised fleet running. The refresh will include re-covering of all seats, new floor coverings, repainting of all interior panels, full exterior repaints and deep cleaning of all vehicles. Other improvements include WiFi, toilets accessible for people with mobility restriction, LED lighting, forward-facing CCTV, customer information and DAS driver advisory systems. Units be refreshed are those in Classes 150, 155, 156, 158, 170, 319 and 333. Sixteen Class 333 units will be modified to increase capacity, the Class 158 Northern Connect units will be enhanced for comfort on the longer journeys and 24 two-car Class 150 units will be reformed into 16 three-car units to provide more room for customers on busy services.
A Class 195 diesel unit.
Stunning trains will deliver new heights of comfort and service Front views of Class 331 electric units.
Carriages will be equipped with customer information and communication systems.
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STATE-OF-THE-ART trains with 100 mph capability are set to usher in a new era of comfort and high-end service delivery at Northern. Costing £490 million, the 281 vehicles scheduled to start appearing within two years’ time will transform the way the company connects communities across the north. With two air conditioning modules in each carriage, tables at all standard seats, seat reservation systems and free WiFi, the new trains represent a step-change in the quality of the journey experience. Built by Spanish manufacturer CAF and based on their existing Civity series, the new sets will form 30 per cent of the Northern fleet. In total there are 31 three-car
and 12 four-car Class 331 electric units along with 25 two-car and 30 three-car Class 195 diesel units. Offering significant improvements in comfort and capacity for customers with a welcoming and pleasant environment, the new trains are also great news for traincrew. The spacious cabs, which are at each end of the units, have good visibility and access to controls, air conditioning and low levels of noise. They are finished in soft colours to minimise glare. The carriages are equipped with customer information and communication systems, digital CCTV, power sockets and automatic passenger counting systems.
Energy-saving is maximised due to a number of elements including the aluminium carbody shells (20 per cent less heavy than steel) and lighter bogies, together with LED lighting and the latest in propulsion system technologies. DAS systems in the cabs advise on energy-efficient driving and provide real time traffic management information. Disabled access has been given high priority and each unit has two wheelchair spaces and one accessible toilet. ● The new franchise will see major investment in rolling stock maintenance depots which will continue to be provided in-house.
The stylish interiors of the new trains will have tables at all standard seats.
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