New train refurbishment to rid Scotland’s railways of effluent

The £382,000 package of works, funded by Transport Scotland, will see 9 units fitted with CET equipment before Christmas 2015 with the rest due to be reintroduced before December 2017, three years ahead of the previously anticipated programme.

Beyond December 2017 there will be no ScotRail franchise-leased rolling stock discharging toilet effluent on to the track. As part of this commitment any new or refurbished vehicles introduced to the ScotRail fleet will also have CET equipment fitted as standard.

Minister for Transport and Islands, Derek Mackay, said: “The discharge of effluent onto the tracks is unpleasant for both staff and passengers and from day one it has been a priority of mine to end this practice in Scotland.

“I am pleased that the Scottish Government has been able to work together with ScotRail to accelerate the initial timeframe for this, and we are investigating further measures to bring forward the completion date.”

“This is a great example of ScotRail working with industry partners to deliver a project which benefit passengers and rail workers, and I am committed to ongoing discussions with the UK Government to also end this practice on cross-border operators.”

Phil Verster, managing director of the ScotRail Alliance, said: “We’re really pleased to be rolling out the first of our Class 156 fleet with toilet tanks.

“From December 2017, ScotRail trains will no longer discharge effluent onto the tracks. This is a major improvement for Scotland’s railways and, by bringing the completion date forward, we are creating a much more pleasant environment for our employees and customers.”

Installation of CET equipment means that the effluent is held within a hygienic tank on the train until it is emptied at an appropriate location, usually at depots or stations. This move puts Scotland ahead of rail networks around the rest of the UK where the practice still continues.

Work on the c156 units is being carried out at the Knorr Bremse Rail Services plant in Springburn.