New Alstom trains will create 'wow' effect and boost UK economy
Alstom UK recently hosted an event in Parliament highlighting the company's current presence on the UK transport network as it bids for the coveted £7.5bn contract to build rolling stock for the HS2 rail project.
“This double decker option looks very exciting. It looks like the sort of train set any child would give their right arm for,” said Tory MP Stuart Andrew upon viewing a model of Alstom’s ambitious plans. The international rail company has announced proposals to bring double-decker trains to the UK, which would be the first of its kind to grace Britain’s railways.
Mr Andrew was speaking at a reception in parliament’s resplendent Members’ Dining Room, attended by a diverse audience including Alstom’s stakeholders and partners, elected representatives and hosted by Labour MP Emma Reynolds. Alstom, a Tier 1 rail supply business, is bidding to win the coveted £7.5bn contract to build rolling stock for the planned HS2 rail line, connecting London, Birmingham and Leeds, which is expected to be operational in 2026.
After refreshments and canapes had been served, Alstom’s UK and Ireland managing director, Henrik Anderberg, was the first to address the packed room. He began by detailing the international railway company’s UK presence: including its Pendolino fleet on the West Coast Main Line, Northern Line trains on the London underground, its signalling business, and joint ventures helping deliver Crossrail and Network Rail’s electrification programme in Scotland. Mr Anderberg also highlighted Alstom’s newly approved transport technology centre in Widnes, which will include a skills academy to help train new and existing engineers to help “prepare them for the railway of tomorrow”.
“As one of my colleagues often says, our industrial activity is moving from hammer and spanner to laptop and big data,” he said. “The skills agenda is a critical one for the rail industry.” With assistance from Alstom graduate Beatriz, Mr Anderberg unveiled a striking model of the two-level trains Alstom are proposing to bring to the UK. The extra floor would allow for 40% more passengers than on a standard train, which could travel at speeds in excess of 200mph, as Alstom diversifies its offer in the bid for the HS2 contract.
“We believe the potential is limitless, and these trains will truly create a ‘wow’ effect,” Mr Anderberg added. “And the ‘Alstom effect’, as we call it, is also going to be great for the UK economy. It means building these trains would create good jobs and skills as we train the next generation of engineers through quality apprenticeships.”
Second speaker Stuart Andrew, who is Parliamentary Private Secretary to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, championed the importance of the HS2 project. He spoke of his “pride” at the UK’s current and future investment into British rail, which he said is “the greatest amount of investment that we’ve seen since the Victorian era.”
Mr Andrew also congratulated Alstom for their Widnes project and its apprenticeships programme, before arguing HS2 would help rebalance the UK economy by providing jobs across regions in England. On the double-decker proposal, he noted the need for Britain to have the “very best technology” and admired Alstom’s “interesting ideas”.
Host and Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds expressed her gratitude to Alstom for maintaining the Pendolino fleet on West Coast Main Line – a route she uses to and from parliament every week. The rail giant also has premises in her constituency, employing around 180 people. As someone who spent many years working in Brussels, Ms Reynolds said Alstom’s double decker offering is “really exciting” and something that is very common on the European continent. “It will be interesting to see what response you get with HS2,” she mused.
She went on to challenge sceptics of HS2, saying “stop being so negative and support what is a very exciting project and frankly should have happened perhaps several decades ago. We are behind the curve in the UK when it comes to high speed rail.” In her conclusion, she congratulated Alston on its “wonderful model” of two-tier trains presented to the audience.
Andreas Knitter, Senior Vice-President of Alstom Europe, wrapped up proceedings. Referring to the investment in Widnes, Mr Knitter said Alstom is a “major player” in the UK, which represents a “key market” for the multinational. He spoke of Alstom’s plans to develop its apprenticeships initiative in the UK, illustrating the company’s “track record” of investing in people and the local economies in which it operates.
On double-decker trains, the Alstom executive said Alstom looks forward to convincing future customers and passengers of the benefits to be derived from the “innovative concept”. It is an example of Alstom continually exchanging ideas across its global divisions, he said, before thanking the audience for attending the event.
“Just think what we could achieve together for Britain. We look forward to working with you in the coming months and years to make this vision a reality.”
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