UK: A diesel multiple-unit which had been seriously damaged by floodwater has returned to service with ScotRail after being bought and repaired by Brodie Engineering. The company has set up its own leasing business with funding from Clydesdale Bank.
Two-car unit 156 478 suffered underframe and internal damage when the Glasgow – Carlisle service it was operating ran into floodwater between Kilmarnock and Auchinleck in December 2014. The DMU was then bought by Brodie with significant funding from Clydesdale Bank. The Kilmarnock-based rolling stock repair and refurbishment company carried out a full mechanical electrical and interior overhaul, including modifications to meet accessibility requirements. The Brodie Leasing Ltd business is now leasing the DMU to ScotRail operator Abellio.
Peter Grassom, Relationship Manager at Clydesdale Bank, said this was the first time that the bank had assisted a customer to purchase and refurbish rolling stock in this way. ‘The process of funding the acquisition and refurbishment of the coaches and returning them to service has not always been straightforward, but the business’ commitment to delivering a train of the highest standard is commendable’, he said on October 19. ‘We are pleased to have been able to assist using the flexible asset finance facility we offered.’
Brodie Engineering Managing Director Gerry Hilferty said the company had started to explore the possibility of buying the DMU more than a year ago. ‘Our experienced team worked meticulously to ensure that damaged components were removed and either repaired or in some cases replaced’, he said. ‘The complex repair work has taken around six months’.
