Engineers to fix cracks in Heathrow Express trains

Siemens and CAF built trains out of service indefinitely until fix is applied

Engineers are working to fix structural defects found on trains that run between Heathrow and London Paddington which have put the entire fleet out of action.

According to the operator of the high speed service, Heathrow Express, teams of engineers from Siemens and CAF, which supplied the Class 332s in 1998, are examining the trains and are tasked with finding a fix before the service can be reinstated.

Fraser Brown, the director of Heathrow Express, said: “The safety of our customers and colleagues remains our top priority. We are doing everything we can to return to running a full and safe service, as quickly as possible.”

The entire fleet was recalled after a routine inspection discovered structural defects on the underside of “some” carriages last week. Heathrow Express said the trains will remain out of sevice for the “foreseeable future”.

Siemens and CAF have sent engineers from Germany and Spain to assist with the investigations at the maintenance depot at Old Oak Common, West London.

The 9 x 4-Car and 5 x 5-Car Class 332 Electric Multiple Units were built in Zaragoza, Spain by the Siemens and CAF partnership. Siemens is responsible for the maintenance, overhaul, refurbishment and cleaning of the trains under a 19 year contract.

The Heathrow Express service carries more than 20,000 passengers a day on the 15 minute journey between London Paddington and Heathrow Airport. The route is currently being served by class 360 units, which are usually used on the slower Heathrow Connect route.