First refurbished Renatus in traffic with Greater Anglia

The first refurbished Renatus Class 321 with a Vossloh Kiepe traction package has entered traffic with Greater Anglia.

The four-car electric multiple unit (321321) is the third to be refurbished internally, but the first to enter traffic with the new traction equipment. Thirty GA Class 321s are to be treated.

It has been fitted with AC motors (rather than DC ones) and regenerative brakes.

The latter is expected to cut its energy use by 18%, with a further 8% saved through more efficient AC driver motors.

The interior has new seats, air-conditioning, more space for disabled passengers, more luggage space, as well as new flooring, ceiling panels and windows. Power sockets are fitted, as is free WiFi.

The interior refurbishment is carried out by Wabtec Rail at Doncaster, with Knorr-Bremse Rail Services at Wolverton Works carrying out the mechanical modifications.

So far 321303/304/321 have been released from Doncaster (GA 321301-321330 are being modified).

Class 321s will remain with GA until October 31 2019, when the lease for 36 non-refurbished Class 321/3s and 38 non-refurbished Class 321/4s ends ( RAIL 826).

The Renatus fleet’s lease ends on December 1 2019. The Class 321 fleet is being replaced on Greater Anglia by 110 Class 720 Aventra EMUs.

Eversholt sources have told RAIL that the company hopes to place the ‘321s’ with other franchises. It is especially hopeful that Renatus trains will find a new home.