08.08.13
IEP braking contract goes to Knorr-Bremse
Knorr-Bremse has won a contract to supply the braking system for the new Hitachi Class 800 trains, to be used as part of the IEP programme.
The deal should help secure years of work and jobs at the company’s facility in Wiltshire.
New train cars will be constructed at Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe factory and go into operation in 2017 on the Great Western Main Line and the year after on the ECML. The braking system will include brake control, bogie equipment and an air supply system.
Keith Jordan, managing director of Hitachi Rail Europe said: “The Intercity Express Programme is a long-term project for us and we have demanding reliability targets. By partnering with Knorr-Bremse, we believe that we have found the right company to help us to achieve these goals. Bringing the right level of reliability and technical compliance, coupled with UK experience and a low life-cycle cost, the Knorr-Bremse brake systems will contribute to the long-term success of the Hitachi Class 800 trains.”
And Dr Dieter Wilhelm, executive board member of the Knorr-Bremse Group commented: “We are proud that Knorr-Bremse has been chosen to play a key role in the creation of this exciting new Hitachi train. The co-ordinated effort and teamwork of Knorr-Bremse colleagues based in the UK, Germany and Japan has resulted in an outstanding braking systems solution for the Hitachi Class 800 trains. We now very much look forward to working with Hitachi Rail on this project and indeed to offering them further systems and services solutions for their other prestigious, global rail projects into the future.”
Paul Goodhand, managing director of Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems UK added, “We are all delighted here to become partners to Hitachi Rail Europe and have already formed a close working relationship with this dynamic company. We are committed and indeed look forward, to supporting Hitachi Rail Europe in their UK manufacturing efforts, not only on the initial supply and commissioning of the brake system on this exciting new train, but also on providing support through its entire life cycle, some twenty eight years into the future.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]