PETER SKUCE REPORTS 3

Dear GB Rail Scene, I am writing to you with regards to the post dated Tuesday 11 November 2014: Plans for UK Train Stock and Units by Harry. 

I would like to add my own comments with regards to what is happening to trains affected by PRM TSI (Persons of Reduced Mobility Technical Specification for Interoperability and replaces Disability Discrimination Act), which comes into effect from 1 January 2020 and features the following legal requirements:      EAO series 56 ‘easy to see, easy to press’ yellow circular LED Passenger Door Controls.     Audible door opening sounders and door closing hustle alarms.    Easily accessible grab poles/sanchlions.      Ceiling mounted passenger information displays and audio announcements.      Internal gangway door handles.      RVAR universal accessible toilet (if the train is already fitted with toilets)

Here is a list of the work taking place:

*  Abellio Greater Anglia: The fifteen Class 317/5 EMUs need the black rubber Passenger Door Controls replaced by EAO series 56 ‘easy to see, easy to press’ yellow circular LED Passenger Door Controls. Then they require internal door handles replaced and the installation of an RVAR curved teardrop universal accessible toilet. On top of these requirements, the seating requires replacing with modern bespoke high back design, steel ventilation hoppers and overhead luggage racks require replacing as well as replacing slab florescent lighting with modern interior saloon lighting diffusers to bring the trains up to date. The twenty four members of the Class 317/6 EMU train fleet, which are younger and have recently received an interior refresh, may receive a reprieve and receive PRM TSI enhancements. All Class 321 are to become PRM TSI compliant during the Renatus project or the AGA overhaul mid life refurbishment programme.

        * Abellio ScotRail: Classes 318 and 320 are being overhauled with PRM TSI enhancements. The main batch of Class 320 have been completed and work is now taking place on the Class 320/4 EMU trains inherited from London Midland.

       * Chiltern Railways: Their Class 165/0 Chiltern Turbo DMU trains are to shortly undergo an overhaul, which will see fitment of a curved teardrop universal accessible toilet. At present one unit, 165036 has been completed. All their other stock, Classes 168, 172 and Mark 3 are already fitted with curved teardrop universal accessible toilets, with the Mark 3 stock requiring replacement of InterCity 70 seats with modern bespoke high back design.

      * GWR: Their Class 150 Sprinter DMU trains are receiving overhauls featuring PRM TSI enhancements. Recently a programme to overhaul and fit PRM TSI enhancements to the Class 166 Network Express Thames Turbo DMU trains at Wolverton Works has been completed and now work has commenced on the Class 165/1 Network Thames Turbo DMU train fleet.

      * Northern Rail: Are slowly overhauling their Class 150 Sprinter and Class 156 Super Sprinter with PRM TSI enhancements. Recently both Classes 321 and 322 have received overhauls featuring PRM TSI enhancements. Their Siemens Class 333 EMU trains are already compliant.

      * Southeastern trains: Are slowly overhauling their Class 465 Networker EMU train fleet with PRM TSI enhancements at Wabtec Rail, Doncaster Works.  Their Class 375 and 376 Electrostar EMU trains are already compliant.

      * South West Trains: Are slowly overhauling their Class 455 EMU train fleet with PRM TSI enhancements. All twenty four Class 456 EMU trains have recently been completed. Their  Siemens Classes 444/450 Desiro EMU trains and Alstom Class 458/5 Juniper EMU trains are already compliant.

       * Thameslink: Are currently overhauling their Class 319 EMU train fleet with PRM TSI enhancements at Wolverton Works, even though they are gradually being replaced by brand new Siemens Class 700 Desiro City EMU trains. Both Bombardier Classes 377 and 387 Electrostar EMU trains are already compliant.

Peter.