11.09.18
Greater Anglia’s new trains rolled out for testing in Europe
Swiss manufacturer Stadler have started testing their brand-new trains in Europe, moving the delivery of 58 trains for Greater Anglia one step closer.
Stadler are carrying out tests at the Velim Test-Centre in the Czech Republic on ‘bi-mode’ and electrical trains which will run on intercity and rural routes in Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex.
The Velim Test-Centre, owned by the Railway Research Institute, is one of the main testing locations for new trains in Europe and will be measuring noise levels, voltage levels and electro-magnetic emissions, ensuring the trains are fully operational and meet all safety standards.
Greater Anglia is replacing all of its existing trains with brand-new trains, which are expected to go into passenger service by next summer.
Jamie Burles, managing director of Greater Anglia, added: “It’s really exciting to be able to see the first of our Stadler trains in action. We’re sure that these trains will transform train travel in East Anglia.
“With more seats, and all the facilities you expect on a modern train, they are definitely going to make travelling by rail a very attractive option across our region.”
Testing for the Greater Anglia bound trains began in May in Switzerland and is currently being carried out at various specialised sites across Europe including Romania and Germany.
The texting phase will take around four months to complete, with the trains then arriving in the UK for further testing and commissioning before being gradually introduced into passenger service from mid-2019.
Thirty-eight of the new trains will be ‘bi-mode’ trains which can run using both electric or diesel power, as well as 20 electric trains, all of which are being testing at Velim.
An additional 111 trains for Greater Anglia are currently being built by Bombardier – all of the new trains will have more seats, air conditioning, free wifi and better customer information screens.
Martino Celeghini, project manager for Stadler, said: “Each of the 58 trains we are supplying are from the latest generation of our best-selling, highly successful FLIRT family.
“The FLIRT is Stadler’s flagship product, featuring low floor and level boarding for improved accessibility, passenger comfort and safety.”
“The testing phase signifies a critical landmark in the process of making and finishing the trains, and it’s only by effective collaboration with our client that the project has been able to make such good progress.”
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Image credit - Wolfram Kastl/DPA/PA Images