Published on - 09 Dec 2021
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Hitachi-Alstom joint venture receive early Christmas present
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It was confirmed today that Hitachi/Alstom JV has been awarded the contracts by HS2 Ltd to build Britain’s next generation of high-speed trains at their factories in County Durham and Derby in a contract deal set to support over 2,000 jobs across the UK.
It has been said by HS2 Ltd that this historic milestone in awarding the contracts is estimated to be worth around £2bn and will see the JV design, build, deliver and maintain 54 of these state-of-the-art high speed trains which will operate on HS2 between London, the West Midlands and Crewe on the new purpose built high-speed railway. |
The new rolling stock will deliver speed capable of up to 360km/h (225mph), These classic compatible trains will be capable of running of running on the conventional network to reach destinations such as Liverpool, Glasgow, Manchester and the North West.
Building on Hitachi’s experience with the Shinkansen, Kent class 395 and collaboration with Bombardier/Alstom in Italy the rolling stock will be some of the fastest, most energy efficient high-speed trains in the world. |
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:
“Today’s announcement places Britain firmly at the forefront of the high-speed rail revolution with these state-of-the-art trains serving communities right across the country from London to Glasgow". “This is another landmark step in the delivery of HS2 which will open up new employment and leisure opportunities for millions of people, levelling up opportunity for generations to come.” |
The manufacturing, assembling, and testing of the new rolling stock will be a shared responsibility between Alstom and Hitachi Rail.
In an additional key boost for train-building in the UK, all the bogies (which house the wheelsets) will be maintained and assembled in Crewe at Alstom’s facility, this will be the first time that both jobs have been done in the UK since 2004.
Lately Hitachi Rail finished an investment in new welding and painting facilities at Newton Aycliffe worth around £8.5m where the 432 HS2 bodyshells will be manufactured.
The new rolling stock production is expected to be rolled out around 2027. In the wake of rigorous testing process and commissioning, with passengers being expected to be transported between 2029 and 2033.
Welcoming the news, HS2 Ltd Chief Executive Mark Thurston said:
“Today is a massive day for HS2. The trains that will be built in Derby, Newton Aycliffe and Crewe will transform rail travel – offering passengers unparalleled levels of reliability, speed and comfort and help in the fight to remove carbon from our transport system. I’d like to congratulate Alstom and Hitachi and we look forward to working with them to bring these exciting new trains to passengers across the UK.”
Andrew Barr, Group CEO, Hitachi Rail said:
“We are excited to be pioneering the next generation of high speed rail in the UK as part of our joint venture with Alstom. This British-built bullet train will be the fastest in Europe, and I am proud of the role that Hitachi will play in helping to improve mobility in the UK through this project.”
Alstom’s Managing Director, UK & Ireland, Nick Crossfield said:
“HS2 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Britain by building a sustainable transport system fit for the 21st Century. I am delighted that Alstom’s joint venture with Hitachi Rail has been selected to develop, build and maintain in Britain the next generation of high-speed trains.”
- Stage 1 which include the vehicle body assembling and initial fit-out will be done by Hitachi Rail’s at their facility in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.
- Stage 2 will see the fitting out of the rolling stock and testing done at Litchurch Lane factory in Derby by Alstom.
In an additional key boost for train-building in the UK, all the bogies (which house the wheelsets) will be maintained and assembled in Crewe at Alstom’s facility, this will be the first time that both jobs have been done in the UK since 2004.
Lately Hitachi Rail finished an investment in new welding and painting facilities at Newton Aycliffe worth around £8.5m where the 432 HS2 bodyshells will be manufactured.
The new rolling stock production is expected to be rolled out around 2027. In the wake of rigorous testing process and commissioning, with passengers being expected to be transported between 2029 and 2033.
Welcoming the news, HS2 Ltd Chief Executive Mark Thurston said:
“Today is a massive day for HS2. The trains that will be built in Derby, Newton Aycliffe and Crewe will transform rail travel – offering passengers unparalleled levels of reliability, speed and comfort and help in the fight to remove carbon from our transport system. I’d like to congratulate Alstom and Hitachi and we look forward to working with them to bring these exciting new trains to passengers across the UK.”
Andrew Barr, Group CEO, Hitachi Rail said:
“We are excited to be pioneering the next generation of high speed rail in the UK as part of our joint venture with Alstom. This British-built bullet train will be the fastest in Europe, and I am proud of the role that Hitachi will play in helping to improve mobility in the UK through this project.”
Alstom’s Managing Director, UK & Ireland, Nick Crossfield said:
“HS2 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Britain by building a sustainable transport system fit for the 21st Century. I am delighted that Alstom’s joint venture with Hitachi Rail has been selected to develop, build and maintain in Britain the next generation of high-speed trains.”