VR FleetCare, a Finnish fleet management company, has announced that they have signed a contract with Norwegian train operator Vy Tog AS to modernise eight couchette coaches.

The project to upgrade the carriages will be carried out at VR FleetCare’s Oulu depot and the Pieksämäki service workshop.

The carriages were acquired by Vy Tog AS from Deutsche Bahn and the modernisation programme will improve passenger comfort and safety and renew the appearance in line with their branding.

Due to be completed this year, the work on the eight BDcmz 874.1 couchette coaches will see them moved to Finland by rail, six cars from Crailsheim, Germany, and two cars from Oslo, Norway, to Oulu, Finland.

“This contract signed with Vy Tog is an extremely significant first step for us in the markets opening up in Norway,” says VR FleetCare’s CEO Kimmo Soini, referring to the privatisation of Norway’s railways. “We are happy that Vy Tog chose us as their partner. This strengthens our confidence in the future and promotes our international growth goals.”

“VR Fleetcare has provided a strong and competitive offer that meets our needs. We are confident in our choice of provider and look forward to the cooperation and to launching the upgraded coaches on Bergensbanen,” says Amund Kjelland, Head of tendering and projects, rolling stock in Vy.

“It’s great that Vy Tog’s cars are coming to Finland to be refurbished. This contract is also strategically very important as we are seeking growth in fleet projects and component services,” says Peter Guldbrand, Vice President, Sales, VR FleetCare. “For the modifications requested by Vy Tog, we designed several innovative solutions in order to deliver the cars to the customer with high quality and cost efficiency.”

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