GNER, the York-based East Coast rail operator, has signed a £15 million contract for new diesel engines and modifications.

The result, says GNER, should be that from this autumn, it will deliver a more reliable, greener and safer ride for millions of passengers for at least the next ten years or more.

The project is being funded by the train leasing companies and owners of the trains - Angel Trains, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group, and Porterbrook Leasing.

GNER is to replace all 25 of the 30-year-old Paxman Valenta engines in its diesel High Speed Train (HST) fleet with new German-made diesel engines.

The new engines, which will be installed in Britain by Brush Traction of Loughborough, are already proven technology in Europe and have clocked up one year of fault-free high-speed running in a trial funded by Angel Trains on the Greater Western line out of London Paddington.

From September this year to November, 2008, all 25 power cars in GNER's 11-strong diesel HST fleet will be fitted with the new, high-performing engines, which, it is claimed, will be:

More reliable, delivering the best train performance since the HSTs were introduced 30 years ago. A raft of technical improvements will include the latest control systems, electronics and relays, and a new engine cooling system

Quieter and more environmentally-friendly, with significantly fewer exhaust emissions, no visible smoke, and less noise and vibration to comply with new European legislation

More efficient, with 15 per cent less fuel consumption

Safer, with enhanced braking capability due to the installation of a new wheel slip protection system, and improved crashworthiness as part of a redesigned cab environment for drivers.

Richard McClean, GNER's development director, said: "This is the most comprehensive package of improvements ever fitted to this type of train.

"The new engines will deliver 21st century standards of performance, replacing the previously pioneering but now tired technology of the 1970s."

As well as fitting new engines, GNER will be spending an extra £27 million, also financed by Angel Trains and Porterbrook, to transform the 99 carriages in its HST fleet in order to bring them up to a similar standard to its 30 rebuilt electric Mallard trains.

Work is due to start this autumn.

Updated: 09:40 Thursday, May 25, 2006