Porterbrook Leasing’s Class 170 units on lease with Abellio ScotRail are currently undergoing a £7m refurbishment programme at Wabtec Rail Scotland, upgrading passenger facilities on a total of 17 x 3 Car units.

Transport Scotland specified that ScotRail should invest in new and refurbished rolling stock and Abellio, Porterbrook and Wabtec are working together to deliver an enhanced class 170 fleet. These currently operate across the main inter-city routes linking the 7 Scottish Cities as well as many central belt suburban routes.

The units are receiving an internal refurbishment programme, plus a heavy overhaul to all door equipment and air conditioning systems. On-train facilities are being upgraded by the provision of powers sockets throughout the units. The opportunity is also being taken to introduce the latest Saltire interior branding to the vehicles, including all new carpets, vehicle side panels, seat covers and curtains giving an improved travel experience.

The units are being fitted with higher quality replacement saloon CCTV and a new forward facing CCTV system, which will provide enhanced passenger security and will record images of the track and line side area from the drivers cab.
With the programme at the half way point, the seventh unit to be completed, 170407, carries the British Transport Police external livery, promoting the 61016 text service, sponsored by Transport Scotland.

To mark this milestone, Transport Scotland’s Chief Executive, Roy Brannen, visited Wabtec Rail Scotland to view unit 170407 in its final phase of completion.
He said “It was great to visit Wabtec Rail Scotland to see the excellent progress being made on this refurbishment programme that will bring benefits to passengers through improved comfort and security. The newly wrapped train looks good and it also promotes a campaign which will make a difference to rail travellers all across the country.

This type of refurbishment is not only meeting our aspirations for improved passenger experience, it also supports investment in local jobs.”

Olivier André, Porterbrook’s Commercial Director, said “Along with other fleet improvement programmes, Porterbrook and Abellio ScotRail are working towards a better, more reliable and safer railway in Scotland and we are pleased to support Transport Scotland and British Transport Police with such a worthwhile livery.”

Angus Thom, engineering director at ScotRail, said: “The 170s are popular with customers and these additional enhancements, including power points and upgraded surroundings, are most welcome.”

Images show Transport Scotland being shown around Wabtec Rail Scotland, Kilmarnock, by representatives of Wabtec and Porterbrook Leasing.

Notes to Editors: Porterbrook Leasing Company Limited ("Porterbrook") is a leading player in the rail leasing market and has a rolling stock fleet of over 6,000 vehicles on lease or on order, which includes over 4,000 passenger vehicles. Porterbrook has been highly successful in winning new train orders since privatisation, investing in over 2,000 new passenger vehicles and more than 2,000 freight locomotives and wagons, and in the refurbishment of much of its in-fleet equipment. The company also provides ongoing train maintenance services. In October 2014 the Porterbrook Group of companies was acquired by a consortium of investors including Alberta Investment Management Corporation (“AIMCo”), Allianz Capital Partners (“ACP”) on behalf of certain insurance companies of the Allianz Group, EDF Invest and Hastings Funds Management.