Engineering news
The first Super Express Train, the replacement for the UK's ageing fleet of Intercity trains, has left the factory in Japan and begun its journey to British shores.
The diesel electric bi-mode train, the procurement of which was initiated by the Department for Transport 10 years ago, is the first of three trainsets that will be tested on UK track before the introduction of some 122 trains by 2020.
The train is expected to arrive at the beginning of March and will be run at the Old Dalby test track near Nottingham and on the East Coat Mainline during the night.
Keith Jordan, managing director of Hitachi Rail Europe, said: “The tests are to prove the infrastructure interface system, for things like electromagnetic compatibility and the normal high voltage interferences. It's already been tested in Japan, this is to make sure it interfaces with the UK system.”
The train is the first in the UK to be fitted with ETCS (European Train Control Signalling), in-cab signalling. This wireless technology replaces trackside signals and is being rolled-out to Level 2 in the UK after successful testing on the Cambrian Line. The Super Express Train, which has a designed lifetime of 30 years, is equipped to cope with ETCS to Level 3.
Hitachi Rail has previously supplied 29 Class 395 trains to the UK, which are run on High Speed Line 1 between London and Kent. Jordan added: “We've learnt a lot from the 395 and seen how the technology and train perform in the UK. The Super Express is an evolution of the 395 and improves on it. These are long distance trains compared to a commuter train, so are equipped and fitted for that, with space for luggage and infotainment systems. It's also bi-mode, which is a big difference. The train can work anywhere in the country.”
The £5.8 billion order for the the Super Express Train, also known as IEP (Intercity Express Programme), is for 122 trains. These will be used first on the Great Western Main Line from the end of 2017 and on the East Coast Main Line from 2018, with all trains delivered for the two lines by 2020.
Hitachi is to manufacture the aluminium body and bogies of the 596 carriages on order in Japan. The carriages will then be fitted out and finished at a factory being built in Newton Aycliffe, Country Durham, that is due to opened this summer. Production is planned to start at the Newton Aycliffe site, which will employ 730 people, in 2016. UK suppliers have been used as much as possible in the train's manufacture, said Hitachi, with 32 major UK suppliers to the train.