Eurostar refurbishment behind schedule

Refurbishment of the existing Class 373 fleet is considerably behind schedule, owing to difficulties with the supply chain, according to Eurostar.

SNCF is carrying out the work at its Hellemmes ‘technicentre’, with exterior and interior styling by Italian firm Pininfarina, which also styled the new Class 374.

RAIL understands that there have been some issues with the supply chain for materials for the refurbishment, which has delayed the programme considerably. The first refurbished trains are to be delivered in the third or fourth quarter of 2015.

Contrary to rumours that the 16-car North of London sets currently being used by SNCF are being scrapped, these are owned by Eurostar, says Eurostar International Rolling Stock Director Andrew Slater. “They can’t scrap what they don’t own,” he said.

• For more information on Eurostar, its new trains and the ‘373s’, see RAIL 762, published on November 26