Moving Wheels
THE FIRST Mk 3 rake to be modified to meet Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM) regulations, including fitment of power doors, was released from Wabtec’s Doncaster works on 12 March 2018.
Wabtec is modifying Mk 3 carriages for three operators – ScotRail, which is introducing 26 HSTs in four- and five-car formations on its inter-city routes, CrossCountry, which is retaining its five sets, and Great Western Railway, which will retain 11 ‘Castle’ sets in 2+4 formation for services in the West Country.
The first set to be released from the Doncaster site is for GWR and was moved to Laira depot in Plymouth. As well as provision of power doors, the GWR rakes are receiving the operator’s new green livery, seats are being fitted with a new trim in green, controlled emission toilet (CET) tanks are installed and a passenger information system is provided.
The first CrossCountry rake was due to be released at the end of March. The operator has five 2+8 sets, although it currently operates them in 2+7 formation. The CrossCountry sets are largely already compliant with PRM regulations, meaning provision of power doors is the main alteration.
The most substantial alterations are to the sets destined for …
