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Class 321 upgrade under way

Abellio-owned train operator Greater Anglia has commenced an improvement programme for some of its Class 321 electric trains that operate services on the London Liverpool Street to Braintree, Clacton-on-Sea/Walton-on-the-Naze, Chelmsford/Colchester, Harwich and Southend Victoria lines.
 
The improvement work is being undertaken ‘in-house’ by Greater Anglia fleet technicians at the train operator’s maintenance depot based at Clacton-on-Sea, and involves a programme to improve 17 four-car Class 321 trains involving a total of 68 carriages.
 
The trains are receiving new floor coverings, replacement carpets and new seat covers with a smart new design. Other interior equipment in the trains is being renewed and any damaged seat shells repaired. Body side panels and seat trims are being renewed and repaired, and the lighting upgraded. A heavy clean of the train is also included as part of the wider programme that Greater Anglia has commenced to ‘deep-clean’ all its trains in advance of this Summer’s Olympics. The driver accommodation is also being renewed as part of the upgrade, and CCTV equipment fitted. The work on these 17 Class 321 trains is scheduled for completion by the end of 2012.
 
John Ratcliffe, engineering director, Greater Anglia said: “The improvement programme for these Class 321 trains will ensure customers benefit from a much brighter and pleasant environment on their journeys. I am very pleased that the project is being carried-out by the ‘in-house’ team based at our Clacton maintenance depot and I'm delighted at the quality we've been able to achieve for work more traditionally done at much bigger main workshops."