24.05.16
Alstom pitches double-decker trains for HS2
In what would be a railway first for the UK, French train manufacturer Alstom is set to pitch the idea of building double-decker trains to run on the 225mph HS2 line in order to maximise passenger benefits and bring down travel costs.
The company, which hopes to land the £7.5bn rolling stock contract for the high-speed line, said a double-decker design would take advantage of the designated space much more effectively than single-level trains of the same height.
Henrik Anderberg, acting managing director for Alstom UK and Ireland, said: “The design means double-decker trains are no higher than a standard single deck one. However because the trains that will run on HS2 meet with European standards and are 170mm (6.7 inches) wider, we can do so much more with the space.
“A double-decker train is a unique proposition and will give a better passenger experience. We are even considering designs such as double-height bars.”
The major contract to build 160 trains each 650ft long is only expected to be announced in 2019, despite HS2 already having published its rolling stock strategy.
But Alstom – which already built double-deckers for other European services, such as in France, Germany and Spain – is arguing early on that building a second level would increase capacity on standard trains by 40%, providing extra space that could be used to create “business class train travel at economy class prices”.
According to Anderberg, prices would only be “marginally” higher because the real cost lies with bogies, power systems and computers, none of which would be affected by expanded coachwork.
To strengthen its pitch, Alstom, which recently gained planning permission to build a new training academy in Widnes, promised to build as much of the rolling stock as possible in the UK – although admitting “there is no guarantee until we see the specification”.
“We don’t just want to assemble the trains in the UK, we want to manufacture their systems here,” the MD said, adding that this could lead to around 600 jobs, with more in the supply chain.
While the deliverability of the pitch may be challenged, an Alstom double-decker in France’s high-speed rail service, the TGV, previously set the record for the fastest wheeled train, running at 357mph in 2007.
And the government had already made clear in its rolling stock strategy that it was open to innovative ideas: “We particularly welcome innovation that delivers greater capacity through greater interoperability or, for example, the use of longer or double-decker trains – that don’t need complicated new infrastructure.”
It later added: “It’s important not to discount approaches such as double-decker trains which could unlock capacity if they can be made to work on our infrastructure and with associated dwell times in the peak – which is a challenge for industry to consider.”
(Top image c. Alstom/Design&Styling, Birmingham skyline)
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