Alstom to modernize Virgin’s Pendolino in the UK

Alstom has been awarded a contract worth over 12 million euros by Virgin to modernize its entire Pendolino fleet (56 trains). The contract includes the refurbishment of the interiors, bar, kitchen facilities and toilets. The work is being undertaken at two Alstom Traincare Centres, Oxley (Wolverhampton) and Longsight (Manchester) in the United Kingdom, and will be performed over a period of eight months.

The trains to be modernized have been running from London to Birmingham or to Glasgow for more than 10 years¹. The modernization will enhance the comfort of around 20 million passengers traveling each year on these two lines.

The interiors will be improved by the replacement of spotlights with LED² lighting that will also help improve energy efficiency, and the improvement of other saloon lighting, including a change to blue luggage rack lighting. The overhaul also includes the application of new vinyl wraps, new decals, new litter bins and a completely new toilet bowl. The toilets will be refreshed, with the toilets for people with reduced mobility also having a new messaging system that tells users when the door is locked. Vestibule venting will be improved and existing carpeting will be replaced.

All catering equipment, including chillers, is being replaced, alongside strategic modifications to the kitchen layout to facilitate cleaning. The kitchen design, which was developed by the Alstom team with Virgin, is intended to offer improved service to passengers, while making it easier to clean and to recycle waste.

Tim Bentley, Managing Director, Mainline at Alstom UK, said: “this project represents an opportunity for Alstom to improve the Pendolino experience for all of Virgin’s customers and I’m sure that everyone will see a real difference to their journey”.

The works will be performed without impact on train availability following the recent completion of the third heavy engineering overhaul of the entire UK Pendolino fleet.

1. For most of the fleet as 4 were delivered in 2012
2. Light-Emitting Diode (LED)