Scotrail contract for 22 5car 222 (ex EMR)

John D

Sr. Member

Posts: 296

Scotrail contract for 22 5car 222 (ex EMR)

« on: March 19, 2026, 08:18:20 »

Scotrail has agreed deal to get 22 trains (ex east Midlands)

Will be introduced 2027 - December 2028 replacing the HSTs^▸ .

10 year maintenance contract, with possible extension to March 2042

Giving the refurbishment with things that can only be dreamed of in GWR^▸ land eg maximising alignment with windows, new reservation systems (if Scotrail can have new systems for 9-14 years, why do we still have empty reservation seat back card slots on 166s with no replacement, that could have been used 15-20 years during which have mere counted place reservations)

Quote

Refurbishment will be undertaken by Alstom and the makeover will include:

Full exterior repaint and updated livery.
Comprehensive interior refresh, including new carpets and full interior repaint.
A new passenger information system, including multimedia displays.
New Wi-Fi with Low Earth Orbit Satellite connectivity and voice-over-internet phone capability.
Family friendly area, providing space for passengers with an unfolded pushchair.
Wheelchair facilities in both First Class and two spaces in Standard Class.
Storage for six bikes.
New electronic seat reservation system.
New CCTV^▸ system – enhancing the safety and security of customers and staff.
Intelligent Engine Start Stop (automatically stops an engine to reduce emissions).
New First and Standard Class seats and tables, with plug sockets, USB-A and USB-C at every seat.
Onboard catering facilities to support at seat and trolley service.
Reconfigured carriage layout to maximise window alignment and luggage storage.

https://www.scotrail.co.uk/about-scotrail/news/scotrail-announces-plans-to-replace-high-speed-trains?fbclid=IwdGRjcAQof6xjbGNrBCh_nWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHljda9jhXBbg2vEG9f5zIs2tDSgk885XFmQZvjqihMEauYT_a8Wv5eA9NvYK_aem_f1j2hFpIo50bsv88Cit0qQ

https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2026/3/alstom-secures-long-term-train-services-and-refurbishment-contracts-ps330-million1-eu380-million-scotrail-and-beacon-uk


	Logged

TaplowGreen

Transport Scholar
Hero Member

Posts: 9322

Re: Scotrail contract for 22 5car 222 (ex EMR)

« Reply #1 on: March 19, 2026, 08:29:39 »

Quote from: John D on March 19, 2026, 08:18:20

Quote

Presumably because the Scottish Assembly is prepared to pay for it?


	Logged

John D

Sr. Member

Posts: 296

Re: Scotrail contract for 22 5car 222 (ex EMR)

« Reply #2 on: March 19, 2026, 08:55:08 »

Quote from: TaplowGreen on March 19, 2026, 08:29:39

Presumably because the Scottish Assembly is prepared to pay for it?

Yes, obviously put quality in much higher priority

But I suppose it is reflection of different countries approaches, Scotland goes in for rolling electrification programme, no difference between peak and off peak fares, and high quality train interiors.

But here in England we are in second tier on quality (could argue bottom tier, with make do approach, when it comes to fixing something like IET^▸ seats).


	Logged

stuving

Transport Scholar
Hero Member

Posts: 7663

Re: Scotrail contract for 22 5car 222 (ex EMR)

« Reply #3 on: March 19, 2026, 10:22:46 »

Quote from: John D on March 19, 2026, 08:55:08

Quote from: TaplowGreen on March 19, 2026, 08:29:39

Presumably because the Scottish Assembly is prepared to pay for it?

Like most of these comparisons, it's related to the "West Lothian question". The Union government and Parliament do not hand over a defined English budget to a devolved English administration - not even one that's the same people as the Union ones wearing hats with one less colour. So if borrowing is too high, but more money is needed for defence (very mush a Union matter), the Treasury will tour departments jangling their thumbscrews and demanding their cut from domestic English spending.

Of course on top of that DfT^» might be worse at making timely decisions then ... pretty well anyone, really.


	Logged

TaplowGreen

Transport Scholar
Hero Member

Posts: 9322

Re: Scotrail contract for 22 5car 222 (ex EMR)

« Reply #4 on: March 19, 2026, 11:50:14 »

One can only hope that their record with trains is better than that with ferries.


	Logged

Do you have something you would like to add to this thread, or would you like to raise a new question at the Coffee Shop? Please [register] (it is free) if you have not done so before, or login (at the top of this page) if you already have an account - we would love to read what you have to say!

You can find out more about how this forum works [here] - that will link you to a copy of the forum agreement that you can read before you join, and tell you very much more about how we operate. We are an independent forum, provided and run by customers of Great Western Railway, for customers of Great Western Railway and we welcome railway professionals as members too, in either a personal or official capacity. Views expressed in posts are not necessarily the views of the operators of the forum.

As well as posting messages onto existing threads, and starting new subjects, members can communicate with each other through personal messages if they wish. And once members have made a certain number of posts, they will automatically be admitted to the "frequent posters club", where subjects not-for-public-domain are discussed; anything from the occasional rant to meetups we may be having ...

Pages: [1]

« previous next »