A £12 million contract has been awarded by Eversholt Rail to Alstom, the global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, to upgrade ScotRail‘s fleet of 40 Class 334 trains that serve the Edinburgh to Glasgow line.

The Class 334 trains were built by Alstom and entered service with ScotRail in 2001. They are leased to ScotRail by Eversholt Rail, which placed the contract and follows a previous £12.4 million contract that Eversholt Rail placed with Alstom in October 2021 for the overhaul of ScotRail’s fleet of 40 Class 334 trains.

Within the contract, the work includes overhauling pneumatic and electrical components such as auto couplers, gangways, batteries, underframe air valves, toilets, and heating ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) in the drivers’ cabs.

Upgrading of the trains is due to start in January 2024 and will be carried out at Alstom’s depot at Polmadie in Glasgow where, as well as day-to-day maintenance of the Class 334 trains, Alstom has 109 staff maintaining and supporting the iconic West Coast Main Line Pendolinos and carriages of the Caledonian Sleeper fleet.

Alstom has been carrying out modernisation of ScotRail’s trains to benefit its passengers 2015. During this time the work has included retrofitting full air conditioning, providing at-seat charging points and wi-fi throughout the trains, and installing CCTV on driver-only trains to improve passenger security.

As well as train maintenance, Alstom is also working closely with Network Rail on upgrading Scotland’s signalling infrastructure.

Peter Broadley, Managing Director, Services at Alstom UK & Ireland, said: “Alstom has a proud history of supporting Scotland’s rail network. We’re pleased to once again be able to overhaul the Class 334 fleet, providing ScotRail’s current and future passengers on the Edinburgh to Glasgow line with an improved rail experience.”