Siemens-built new Class 700 Desiro trains undergo climate testing
 

The first of the Siemens-built Class 700 Desiro City vehicles has been tested in a special climate chamber to validate endurance in extreme weather conditions. More details : http://www.railway-technology.com/ne...esting-4259715

I really hope they get this right. Due to feckless design most UK rolling stock behaves appallingly in just 'average' British weather.

Things like the electrical coupler boxes (between units) freeze over and fill with snow. Door mechanisms jam because the door runner slots fill with leaf mulch in the Autumn, and snow in the Winter.

And every new generation of rolling stock repeats the mistakes of the last one because the design teams think they know better than their predecessors and don't bother to research the history of problems.

I can't help but be cynical about the PR team's spin on this.

So it would be great if Siemens can break the mould and make something decent !