A PHASE of intensive testing for the Glasgow Subway fleet of 17 new Stadler-built four-car trains will take place on the system this year, following initial trials with one of the sets last December.
The first exercises took place following the end of passenger services on December 4, and ran through the night into December 5, although details were only released by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT) almost a fortnight later.
They involved the operation of the train from the joint venture testing site at Broomloan Depot to Govan station to test its ability to travel under its own power on the system. A recovery scenario, using one of the depot locomotives, was also tested, to ensure that the trains can be rescued in the event of a failure during running trials. Previous tests had taken place on a surface stretch of track close to the depot.
SPT says both of the underground exercises proved “very successful” and the focus is now on preparations for extensive system trials of the trains by Stadler outside public operating hours, prior to their anticipated introduction into passenger service next year.