OREANDA-NEWS. September 12, 2014. Eversholt Rail has awarded Alstom a two year contract worth GBP36.1 million to improve the passenger environment and reliability of the 40 First ScotRail Class 334 trains that run between Airdrie and Bathgate.

The work is due to start in early 2015 and will deliver significant improvements for the benefit of passengers. Alstom's Modernisation team in Preston will lead the work, with the Glasgow Traincare Centre in Polmadie removing and refitting the components, supported by Manchester Traincare Centre. Some of the works being undertaken as part of this contract are:

Time-based overhaul
Overhaul and reliability works on saloon and cab doors
Fitting full passenger saloon heating, ventilation and air conditioning
Installation of 230v at seat sockets
Preparing carriages for future WiFi, by installing an Ethernet backbone
New Drivers Only operation CCTV system.

Mary Kenny, Chief Executive Officer of Eversholt Rail said "We are pleased to be working with Alstom on this contract. This investment of GBP 36.1m in our Class 334 is our third fleet upgrade for Scotland and once again demonstrates the importance of Scotland to our business, and our commitment to delivering the best value and highest quality proposition to our customers and rail passengers”.

Terence Watson, President of Alstom UK and Managing Director of Alstom Transport UK, said: "We're delighted to be working with Eversholt Rail again on the Class 334s, which we built at the start of the new millennium. I'm sure that passengers will see some very real differences in terms of comfort and reliability, as well as offering the owners an easily upgradeable system to help future proof the trains.”