Central Trains: Encyclopedia II - Central Trains - Fleet

Central Trains - Fleet

When National Express Group took over Central Trains in 1997, the company started to dispose of its last 1960s 'slam door' trains. By 2000, two years ahead of the Government's deadline, the trains were out of service.

Central Trains have taken delivery of 30 brand-new 100mph Class 350 Desiro units for use on the West Coast Mainline between Birmingham and Northampton/Liverpool. The additions are part of a £100 million investment by the SRA to improve comfort, convenience, speed and accessibility. For all the improvements, Central's fleet (with its charter airline legroom and facilities) is unsuited for some of its longer routes.

The majority of Central Trains' services are operated by diesel trains, due to lines they operate (rather typically for the UK) not being electrified.

Central Trains - Diesel Fleet

The company has several diesel multiple unit classes. The following types are used:

• 53 Class 170 Turbostar
• 12 Class 158 Sprinter Express
• 12 Class 156 SuperSprinter
• 16 Class 153 SuperSprinter
• 36 Class 150 Sprinter

Central Trains - Electric Fleet

Central Trains have several electric multiple unit classes. They consist of the following types:

• 4 Class 321 (units hired in from Silverlink)
• 26 Class 323
• 30 Class 350 Desiro (several are hired to Silverlink on a daily basis)

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "Fleet", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki