Industry Insider Week 28 – 10 Must-Read Rail Stories

All the important rail news of the week, summed up for you in one place: our Railway-News Industry Insider Week 28 for 08–12 July 2019:

Alstom Jazz train for Trenitalia at InnoTrans 2018

Jazz train for Trenitalia © Railway-News

Rolling Stock

Bombardier Aventra EMU for Abellio Greater Anglia

British Rail Class 720 Aventra EMU for Abellio Greater Anglia © Bombardier

Greater Anglia’s Bombardier Fleet Begins Testing

The first of the 111 Aventra electric multiple units Bombardier has been building for Greater Anglia has entered testing at the Railway Innovation and Development Centre test track. The British Rail Class 720 EMUs will run at 110mph. This is 10mph faster than the speed at which the trains will operate when in commercial service. The testing is taking place at this faster speed for contingency purposes only. The tests will cover both safety and performance aspects such as braking and acceleration. All 111 trains will be operational by the end of 2020.

Alstom to Supply Traction Systems to Xian Metro’s Line 5

Xian metro in Shaanxi province, China, will be receiving traction systems for 222 metro cars, equalling 37 trains. These systems will be supplied by French transportation solutions provider Alstom. These are for phase one of the new Line 5 of the metro network. Alstom will also be providing the traction systems for 180 metro cars – 30 trains – for phase two of Line 5. The contract is worth around 42 million euros (47 million USD). Alstom will supply its OptONIX traction system, which includes VVVF (variable voltage/variable frequency drive), CVS (static converters) and motors.

136th Jazz train for Trenitalia © Alstom

Trenitalia Receives Last Alstom Jazz Train

Trenitalia has received the last ‘Jazz’ train from Alstom. The overall order comprised 136 electric multiple units from Alstom’s Coradia platform. The regional trains were built at Alstom’s factory in Savigliano. The Jazz trains will soon be accompanied by 150 of Alstom’s Coradia Stream ‘Pop’ trains. These EMUs are part of a framework agreement between Trenitalia and Alstom that was signed in August 2016.

Stadler Wins Tender for 12 FLIRT Trains in Poland

The Polish railway company PKP Intercity has awarded Stadler a tender to deliver 12 eight-car FLIRT EMUs. The electric multiple units will run on PKP Intercity’s long-distance routes. Unsuccessful bidders now have a ten-day appeal period. Following this period, Stadler and PKP Intercity can sign the relevant contracts. This new order of FLIRT trains would add to PKP Intercity’s existing fleet of 20 FLIRT trains. Stadler would be responsible for the maintenance of the vehicles for 15 years.

Science and Technology

Uber Transit in Denver gives passengers integrated ticketing © RTD

Uber Transit Gives Denver Residents Integrated Mobility

Uber have entered into a partnership with the Regional Transportation District (RTD) in Denver and software developer Masabi. The three companies have been working together to create Uber Transit. Uber Transit allows passengers to use the Uber app to plan their journey, book and pay for end-to-end transportation, including public transit. The app includes features such as real-time schedules and walking directions to and from transit stations. Denver is the first city to trial Uber Transit. Uber trips starting or ending at transit stations have increased by 11.6 percent to date.

DB Starts 3D Printing Heavy Metal Components

The Berlin-based company GEFERTEC has developed an innovative process that can produce heavy components made of metal in a 3D printer. Deutsche Bahn (DB) has begun utilising this technology in order to drastically reduce wait times during vehicle maintenance works. These new 3D printed metal components can weigh in excess of 17kg. DB is creating construction templates for 3D printing from existing drawings and scanned objects. DB has 3D printed over 7,000 components since 2015. Currently, the German railway company can produce 120 different components using this ‘additive manufacturing’ method.

Artist impression of the Leeds institute of high speed rail and system integration

Artist’s impression of the Institute of High Speed Rail and System Integration

UK: Cutting-Edge Experimental Rail Facility Gets Funding

The British government has granted 11 million GBP (12.23 million euros | 13.7 million USD) for a research facility in Leeds covering conventional and high-speed rail. The University of Leeds’ Institute for High Speed Rail and System Integration will be built next to the Leeds City Region Enterprise Zone. The facility will operate under their goal of revolutionising how railway systems are invented, developed and put into service in the UK and globally. The aim is for this project to generate both jobs and inward investment. It will become operational in 2021.

Alstom Training at Ajman University a Success

Alstom delivered specialised technical training to 15 of Ajman University’s students. This training was part of an MoU Alstom and Ajman University signed in February this year. The two-week intensive course covered topics such as railway transportation systems as well as topics such as operations, maintenance, safety awareness, maintenance management and quality management. The training comprised theory sessions, group exercises, site visits, videos and exams. Alstom says it is making internships available for the participants in Dubai.

Infrastructure

Gatwick Express at Gatwick Airport station

DfT: 150 Million GBP for Gatwick Airport Station Upgrades

Gatwick Airport train station is receiving 150 million GBP (167 million euros | 188 million USD) from the Department for Transport (DfT) to go towards renovation works. These works include upgrades such as, 5 new lifts, 8 escalators and widening 2 platforms. The upgrades will help improve passenger flow and reduce overcrowding. As a result, train delays will be reduced due to shorter dwell times. The works will begin in spring 2020 and are expected to take around 2 years. The works will be sequenced to ensure minimum disruption to the station’s daily services.

Policy

Network Rail Launches Track Worker Safety Task Force

Network Rail has launched a new track worker safety task force. This comes following the deaths of two track workers in Wales on 3 July. The new project will help improve the safety of employees that work on the railways. Network Rail has provided 70 million GBP (78 million euros | 87.7 million USD) to fund this initiative. The task force will comprise key players within the rail industry such as contractors and trade unions. It will be headed by Mr Frobisher, Network Rail’s Group Safety, Technical and Engineering Director.