CrossCountry signs deal to overhaul High Speed Trains

The multi-million pound contract to refurbish ten High SpeedTrain (HST) power cars for use on CrossCountry services has beenawarded to Brush Traction, which will carry out the work at itsworkshops in Loughborough, Leicestershire.

The power cars, five each of which are leased from Angel Trainsand Porterbrook, will receive a complete overhaul and be repaintedinto the striking CrossCountry livery before being introduced intoservice. They will be fitted with new MTU-built engines to increasereliability, improve fuel efficiency and produce loweremissions.

Andy Cooper, managing director of CrossCountry, said:“We’re really excited that work is starting on theoverhaul of these trains. This is a major step towards meeting ourcommitment to provide 35 per cent extra seats and increasedluggage space on CrossCountry services.”

John Bidewell, managing director of Brush Traction, said:“We are delighted to be working with CrossCountry on thisproject to improve services and help safeguard theenvironment.”

The work is scheduled to be completed in time for the December2008 timetable change and the HSTs will be introduced on theEdinburgh to Plymouth route to provide extra capacity along thebusy corridor through Leeds.

A contract will be let shortly for the overhaul andrefurbishment of the passenger carriages for the five trains. Eachwill run in service with two power cars and eight carriages.

CrossCountry is part of the Arriva group which operatestransport services in 10 European countries, employs more than37,000 people and provides more than one billion passenger journeysevery year. For more information about CrossCountrywww.crosscountrytrains.co.uk