PORTERBROOK has signed a contract with Bombardier Transportation to fit ETCS digital signalling equipment to Great Western Railway Class 387 EMUs, which are being converted for Heathrow Express services.
The investment by Porterbrook is valued at £11million.
GWR is having 12 Class 387s converted for the airport express work, with No. 387140 having already been moved to Ilford depot for internal re-fitting.
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As well as the ETCS work, Porterbrook’s investment includes the on-board conversion work covering improved seating, additional luggage space, at-seat power, on-board TV and fast wi-fi.
Engineering and design work for ETCS will take place at Bombardier’s Derby Litchurch Lane factory, with installation taking place at Ilford.
The work will be completed by December, and as part of a deal with the Department for Transport, the track access agreement for Heathrow Express will last until at least 2028.
The fitting of ETCS will result in type approval, meaning it can be fitted to other Class 387 variants as Network Rail’s digital signalling programme is rolled out.
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