Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority (SPT)'s new 90mph class 334 electric units, intended for Ayrshire electric services, on show at Polmadie.  At least six of these units have already been delivered to the Scottish Region, but are plagued by technical problems prior to entering service.  The Railtrack safety case and authority for these units to run for anything other than test purposes are still being sought.  Indeed any restricted authority for them to move under their own power was withdrawn (again) on 14 September 2000 when the 334 001 rolled away from Glasgow Central platform 11 whilst supposedly stabled.  The unit derailed on the approaches to the station, causing chaos.  The unit pictured here is a three-coach hybrid 334 001/334 011 which showed different numbers on either end, because the first coach of the first unit had been removed following the derailment.  The basic bodyshell design (although not the bolted-on cab) of these units are based on the class 170 'Turbostar' units, widely in operation throughout Britain, although the interior & windows are fitted out differently.  The design is also shared with classes 357 (c2c/LTS), 457 (Connex), 458 (SWT), 460 (GEx), and possibly other future designs given Bombardier's "modular" design concept.
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Alex Lu, lexcie@innocent.com, http://www.lexcie.zetnet.co.uk/