Wedoany.com Report-Dec 23, The final unit has left the Alstom Transport Technology Centre in Widnes and re-entered service.
South Western Railway (SWR) has completed the EUR 30 million refurbishment of its Class 458 electric multiple unit (EMU) fleet.
All 28 four-car units have received new interiors featuring updated seating in a two-by-two configuration, new carpeting, tables equipped with wireless charging, standard charging points at every seat, and areas for two wheelchair users. The trains now display SWR’s refreshed livery and have been reconfigured to achieve faster acceleration, with their powered wheelsets overhauled to enable a top speed of up to 160 kmh.
The work was financed by Porterbrook, the fleet owner, and completed within a process taking about two weeks per unit. Alstom was responsible for the modifications at Widnes, supported by various contractors. The completion of this programme is intended to provide upgraded units for SWR’s suburban network, bringing trains that align with contemporary passenger requirements without altering established schedules or operations.
