THE first of 40 new-look trains has been unveiled by ScotRail
The two-carriage Class 158 trains will be painted in ScotRail’s 'Saltire' livery and receive revamped interiors including modern carpets, finishes and toilets as part of a £14 million overhaul of the national operator's fleet.
The modernised rolling stock will offer improved seating, better lighting, accessibility enhancements and at-seat power sockets for customers.
The 137-seat trains will also be fitted with new CCTV systems and automated passenger-counting systems.
The fleet is being upgraded with Scotland’s scenic railways in mind, with seats aligned alongside windows to offer panoramic views on the country’s most picturesque routes.
The refurbishment project is being funded by ScotRail, and jointly managed by Porterbrook. The work being carried out at the Knorr-Bremse RailServices’ Springburn facility in Glasgow – with 14 extra staff already recruited specifically for this project.
The first carriage will leave the depot tomorrow [Wed] and will be on the track ready for the opening day of the new Borders Railway on Sunday September 6.
Transport Minister Derek Mackay visited the depot as the finishing touches were applied to the first refurbished train.
Mr Mackay said: “We are investing record amounts in Scotland’s railways and, with passenger numbers increasing by more than six million last year, these refurbished trains will further improve the travel experience.
"I am also particularly pleased that, in the process, Scottish jobs are being supported with these improvement works delivered by workers at Knorr-Bremse RailServices’ depot here in Springburn."
The revamped trains will be rolled out at a rate of roughly one a month between now and April 2018 on routes across Scotland including Central Belt, Fife Circle and Inverness-Aberdeen services.
ScotRail Alliance managing director Phil Verster added: “Completing the first refurbishment is a big moment for this exciting project, which I believe will make a real difference for passengers using Scotland’s railways."
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