Bombardier agrees Essex Thameside maintenance contract

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Bombardier has agreed a 10-year contract with National Express to maintain its fleet of Class 357 Electrostars as part of the new Essex Thameside franchise.

The contract, which is valued at £143 million and includes an option for a further five years, will see Bombardier’s Automatic Vehicle Inspection System (AVI System).

The introduction of the AVI System, which is in use on the Gautrain in South Africa, used cameras and sensors to monitor the train. AVI automatically plans in maintenance work and gives notification of component wear in order to reduce rolling stock downtime.

The system is already in use at Bombardier’s Central Rivers depot in Burton upon Trent.

Per Allmer, president, Western Europe, Middle East and Africa, Bombardier Transportation, said: “Together with control-room technicians, the AVI System will enhance National Express’ fleet performance and support their franchise commitments.”

1 COMMENT

  1. I Think that c2c and Bombardier should keep the 74x 4-car Class 357 Electrostar’s because they are very good reliable Electric Multiple Unit trains that Bombardier have built and they would last for 15 years as c2c have been extended to 2029 as part of the Essex Thameside Franchise that c2c is operated by National Express LTD since it first started in 1996 when LTS (London, Tilbury and Southend) franchise vanished. Plus these trains have done more better as it serves Southend-on-Sea, Basildon, Benfleet and Grays and a new railway line to Canvey Island could replace buses and to operate 2tph to Canvey from London Fenchurch Street with using these Class 357 trains.

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