c2c wins top train award again

c2c’s fleet of Class 357 Electrostar trains has scooped the prize for the best modern era electric multiple unit in the country for the third year in a row. Our fleet of 74 trains has averaged over 45,459 miles over the last 12 months before developing any fault leading to a delay of more than 5 minutes, making them the most reliable main line electric trains in Britain.

c2c received the accolade at the third annual ‘Golden Spanners’ awards held at the Modern Railways / Railway Forum ‘Fourth Friday Club’ lunch last week.

The award scheme, the brainchild of Modern Railways Industry & Technology Editor Roger Ford, is aimed at promoting excellence in train maintenance in the UK.

c2c Managing Director Mark Hopwood said, “Our trains are among the most modern in the country and have been key in putting c2c at the top of the league for punctuality which currently stands at 97% average for the year.

The fact that the trains are so reliable is in no small measure the result of the efforts of the maintenance team that look after them at East Ham Depot and this award is as much a recognition of their skill and dedication as it is of the reliability of the train itself, inherent in the design and the build of the rolling stock”.

'National Express Group’s ‘one’ railway also won two awards; a Golden Spanner for operating the best new generation diesel multiple unit for the Class 170 trains (in partnership with train manufacturer Bombardier) and a Silver Spanner for the most improved intercity fleet for their Class 90 locomotives and Mk3 carriages.

Silverlink (formerly National Express) were retrospectively awarded the “Best BR Era EMU” (EMU – Electric Multiple Unit) category for their class 321 units competing against 33 other train operator fleets.