Latest Rail News

31.07.13

Southern to get 116 more carriages in £180m Bombardier deal

Southern has confirmed the details of an £180m deal with Bombardier for an additional 116 Electrostar carriages to provide electric trains for Thameslink, facilitating the cascade of rolling stock to newly-electrified routes elsewhere in the country.

The extension, financed by Porterbrook, follows previous agreements for 130 new carriages signed in 2011 and an extra 40 signed in December 2012.

The new dual-voltage carriages, required to operate up to 110mph, will be in service from 2015.

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “London’s commuters deserve a first class rail network and comfortable modern trains, Southern is delivering that. This second order will also provide a further boost to the thousands of passengers who travel into London every day.

“A successful rail network is vital for the economic prosperity of the country and its standing in the global race. The fact that these trains are made in Britain also protects jobs outside of the capital.”

Southern managing director Chris Burchell said: “We are delighted that the order we have signed today will help our industry grow. Southern has a great record in new train introduction and we are pleased to be able to offer our expertise in helping the Department for Transport deliver the benefits of the Thameslink programme.”

Southern fleet director Gerry McFadden said: “Getting the trains built, tested and in service within a two year time scale is setting a new record for train delivery, but we and Bombardier are determined to provide our passengers with the longer trains they have been promised.”

The commercial director for Bombardier Transportation UK, Des McKeon, said: “It is great to see the first of Southern’s 130 new carriages being delivered here today. Production of the rest of the order is progressing on time in Derby. We are confident of delivering the rest of the fleet in line with Southern’s requirements and meeting their challenge of getting these units ready for passenger service later this year.

“The order underlines the strength of the relationship Bombardier has with Southern and the DfT – a relationship born out of our strong performance on existing contracts. It reinforces the quality of our products and our ability to deliver on time to demanding schedules. It is further evidence of the dedication and skills of our people in the UK.”

Paul Francis, managing director of Porterbrook, said: “We’re delighted to have been appointed financier for the purchase of these new Electrostar trains which will operate with the other 792 Electrostar vehicles we have on lease with Southern. We reiterate our hope that this is only the start of ongoing investment opportunities in new and existing rolling stock over the coming years as franchises are re-let.”

Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]

Comments

Nick Andrews   02/08/2013 at 22:49

Your article states "..an additional 116 Electrostar carriages to provide electric trains for Thameslink, facilitating the cascade of rolling stock to newly-electrified routes elsewhere in the country" and "Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: “London’s commuters deserve a first class rail network and comfortable modern train...". So it is ok for the north to get second trains running into Manchester and Liverpool on the newly electrified routes? Could someone explain that? Especially when the south has had all its old 3rd rail slam door stick replaced and have trains much newer than the north. 142s are still running in the north!

Alan   03/08/2013 at 00:28

I think its bias, when the South is to be treated with new trains, and more carriages when the north is over crowded and rolling stock is over 30 years old. The services into Manchester from local towns must be a health and safety issue, as people are standing at most peak times. But its not just Manchester, its every service this side of Birmingham. We pay our taxes too, so why is it the South gets a better service

Add your comment

related

Rail industry Focus

View all News

Comment

The challenge of completing Crossrail

05/07/2019The challenge of completing Crossrail

With a new plan now in place to deliver Crossrail, Hedley Ayres, National Audit Office manager, major projects and programmes, takes a look at ho... more >
Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

04/07/2019Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

The move to decarbonise the rail network involves shifting to cleaner modes of traction by 2050. David Clarke, technical director at the Railway ... more >

Most Read

'the sleepers' blog

On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

29/06/2020On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

Following an independent audit, Sulzer’s Nottingham Service Centre has been accepted as part of the rail industry supplier approval scheme (RISAS). The accreditation reinforces the high-quality standards that are maintained by Sulzer’s... more >
read more blog posts from 'the sleeper' >

Interviews

Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

24/06/2019Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

Andrew Haines, the Chief Executive of Network Rail, has told the Today programme on Radio 4's BBC’s flagship news programme that he would not rule out his organisation issuing future r... more >
Advancing the rail industry with management degree apprenticeships

08/05/2019Advancing the rail industry with management degree apprenticeships

In answering the pressing questions of how current and future generations of managers can provide solutions to high-profile infrastructure projects across the UK, Pearson Business School, part of... more >