SOUTHERN CLASS 455 FLEET TO BE UPDATED
Published at 21:55 on Sunday 19th November 2017
Tags: Southern, Class 455, ESG Rail
Southern Class 455 No. 455829 approaches Sydenham with a Southern service. The sets are to be adapted to modern disability requirements to keep them operational beyond 2020. Andy Shotts
ESG Rail, part of Deutsche Bahn, has been awarded a contract from Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) to adapt its 46-strong fleet of Class 455 EMUs.
The project involves improving the compliance with the latest disability standards, TSI PRM. Earlier in the year ESG produced the detailed engineering and design modifications necessary to ensure that the Eversholt Rail Group owned Class 455 units can remain in passenger service after the 1st January 2020 deadline. The work will now be undertaken on the GTR fleet. This includes supplying and installing new external sounders and door control push button panels, together with new internal door sounder units. ESG has developed a new inter-vehicle gangway door lever handle and will supply and install 276 door latch assemblies. A new PRM compliant seating layout will also be provided.
The company has completed several projects on the various Class 455 fleets over the past six years, including cab cooling, remote condition monitoring, energy metering and fitting of driver advisory systems.
