First of the Heathrow Express Class 332s is scrapped

Scrapping of the 14 CAF/Siemens Heathrow Express Class 332s has begun, with the first disposed of in Peterborough towards the end of November.

Built in Zaragoza (Spain) in 1997-98 for the new London Paddington-Heathrow Airport service (with a further five vehicles delivered in 2002), the trains are being replaced by refurbished Great Western Railway Class 387/1s.

First to move for scrap was 332014. The four-car electric multiple unit was taken by road to Sims Metals in Peterborough, where it was quickly cut up.

The specially built depot for the Heathrow Express fleet at Old Oak Common is also being demolished, to make way for HS2.

The EMUs were not fitted with Train Protection & Warning System (TPWS), as they ran on a route operated with Automatic Train Operation.

To use the trains elsewhere in the UK would have required the fitting of TPWS, an internal refurbishment to remove their business market-orientated interiors, and purchase by a rolling stock leasing company (the ‘332s’ are owned by Heathrow Airport Holdings, HAH). Furthermore, they are understood to be in poor condition owing to their intensive use on the Heathrow route.

As well as 332014, other EMUs withdrawn are 332001-003/005/ 012, with the remainder due to be removed from service by the end of the year.

The five Siemens Class 360/2s owned by HAH, used for the Heathrow Connect services and most recently by TfL Rail, are also stored at Old Oak Common while negotiations continue regarding a possible sale.