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Hitachi Super Express

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For the express train service in Japan known as the "Super Hitachi", see Hitachi (Japanese train).
"Super Express"
File:Hitachi Super Express rendering.jpg
Artist's computer rendering released in February 2009
ManufacturerHitachi Ltd.
Formationvarious
Lines servedEast Coast Main Line
Great Western Main Line
Specifications
Car body constructionsteel (diesel power cars)
aluminium (other vehicles)
Car length26 metres (85 ft) : electric power car, carriages
21 metres (69 ft) : diesel power car
Width2.7 metres (8.9 ft)
Maximum speed125 mph (201 km/h)
140 mph (225 km/h) with minor modifications[1]
Weight412 tonnes (10-car electric)
Power outputApprox. 4 MW (5,400 hp)
Electric system(s)25 kV 50 Hz AC
Current collector(s)Overhead
UIC classification10 car unit :
2'2'+Bo'Bo'+2'2'+Bo'Bo'+2'2' +Bo'Bo'+2'2'+Bo'Bo'+Bo'Bo'+2'2'
5 car unit :
2'2'+Bo'Bo'+Bo'Bo'+Bo'Bo'+2'2'
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in)

Super Express[2] is the name given to the Hitachi multiple unit rolling stock forming the British Department for Transport's 'preferred option' for the Intercity Express Programme. It would initially be operated on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) and Great Western Main Line (GWML), with maximum speed limited to 125 mph (201 km/h).[3] Agility Trains stated that the trains could be upgraded "with minor modifications" to run at 140 mph (225 km/h).[1][4] An in-cab-signalling system such as ERTMS would be required for the higher line speed.

In February 2010 it was announced that the Intercity Express Programme was suspended pending an independent report, with a decision on its viability to be given after the 2010 UK General Election,[5] following the report in July 2010 the decision on the procurement was to be made later in 2010[6][7][8] and then this was deferred to 2011 along with decisions on the further electrification of the mainline network.[9] In March 2011 the government confirmed its decision to procure trains from Hitachi;[10][11] Hitachi's UK manufacturing facility is to be situated in Newton Aycliffe, county Durham.[12]

History

Original concept

The original design for the Super Express was to have been be delivered in various types of 5 and 10 car unit. Depending on the version, power would be supplied either using 25 kV AC OLE, diesel engine-generator sets, or a combination of both ("bi-mode"). Agility Trains mentioned at least six types, including:[1]

  • Type 1 - a 10-car diesel multiple unit, divided into several sub-types:
    • Type 1A - intercity
    • Type 1B - interurban
  • Type 2 - a 10-car intercity bi-mode (electro-diesel) unit, with an electric power car at one end and a diesel power car at the other
  • Type 3 - a 5-car electric multiple unit intended for commuter services
  • Type 4 - a 5-car bi-mode for commuter services
  • Type 5 - a 10-car intercity EMU.

Subsequently, Agility's website was modified to say "The Super Express Train can operate in any formation from 5 car to 12 car sets".[13] Potential IEP formations of 10, 9, 8, 6, 5 and 4 passenger carriages were mentioned in Sir Andrew Foster's review of the programme.[14]

The end cars in a unit would contain either transformer and rectifier, or hybrid electrical generation apparatus and rectifier, depending on version, but would not have powered axles. At least half of the axles on the intermediate carriages would be motored, receiving energy from the end cars via a power bus.

The self-powered and bi-mode units would use be of the hybrid train type, as trialled on a British Rail Class 43 locomotive and trailer combination (see Class 43 hybrid trial).[15]

Carriages would be 26 metres long and 2.7 metres wide, making them longer and narrower than previous British passenger rolling stock.

Modified design post 2010 review

In Febuary 2010 the procurement of new high speed trains was delayed and put under review.[16][17],

In mid 2010 Agility trains proposed a reduced cost specification - a fleet of consisting of all electric, and bi-mode trains, (whilst retaining the Intercity 225 trains on the east coast main lines); in March 2011 the government announced that the procurement program would continue with Agility trains continuing as the prefered bidder.[18]

Deployment

5-car trains were planned for use on commuter services from London on the ECML and GWML, with the option of their also being deployed on the southern section of the West Coast Main Line.[3] Other deployments would be London King's Cross to King's Lynn and Cambridge, using Type 3s,[19] and commuter routes in the Thames Valley from London Paddington.

10-car trains were to have entered service on the ECML from 2013 onwards, eventually replacing the Intercity 125 on the ECML, MML and GWML, together with the Intercity 225 trains used for London - Leeds/Edinburgh services.[20]

There have been fears that the current express services may be reduced due to modifications necessary for the Super Express not being economically viable on lesser travelled routes currently served by the Intercity 125.[21] Agility Trains claimed that the IEP dispenses with "the need for expensive infrastructure upgrades".[13]

In the March 1 2011 Ministerial Statement the in-service dates were given as 2016 for the GWML and 2018 for the ECML, a rolling stock order for the services to Penzance may follow.

Manufacture

Agility's intention is to build the first 70 carriages in Japan and then construct the body shells in Japan and ship them to the UK. A new factory eventually employing up to 500 workers would be established in the UK to complete the trains.[22][23]

High speed trains used in France (TGV), Germany (Intercity-Express), Italy (ETR 500), and Japan (Shinkansen) are primarily domestically manufactured. On hearing that Agility Trains was the preferred bidder for IEP, Bob Crow, the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union's general secretary, said:

"The Department for Transport has not answered the basic question of whether these trains will be manufactured in Britain or simply assembled here. If Japan can manage to ensure the high-speed fleet that operates on its own railways are manufactured entirely at home, there is no earthly reason why Britain cannot either."

Following a meeting on 24 February 2009 with Stephen Gomersall, Hitachi’s 'chief executive for Europe', Bob Rixham, National Officer for Railways for Unite, stated that the Agility IEP could "be the start of the renaissance of train manufacturing in the UK", and "Hitachi could become a major player serving the UK and also serving demand in the rest of Europe".[23] Hitachi's Alastair Dormer stated he thought he could not stipulate where IEP components would be built.[24]

Maintenance

New depots are planned for Bristol, Doncaster, Leeds, Reading and west London, and there would be upgrades to some existing facilities.[25]

References

  1. ^ a b c Super Express Key Facts - Agility Trains
  2. ^ Our Super Express Train - Agility Trains
  3. ^ a b Ford, Roger (2009). "IEP - still a long way to go". Modern Railways: 30–31. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  4. ^ John Elphick (Agility Trains Bid Manager) speaking in the Professional Engineering Magazine, 25th February 2009, Professional Engineering Publishing
  5. ^ Upgraded InterCity train plan on hold until after the election Sarah Arnott , 27/2/2010 , www.independent.co.uk
  6. ^ Fast train on hold 6/7/2010 , www.themanufacturer.com
  7. ^ Intercity Express decision deferred 6/7/2010 , www/railnews.co.uk
  8. ^ "Rolling Stock" Statement :The Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP , 06/7/2010 , www.dft.gov.uk
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference ham2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ "UK sticks with plans to buy new Hitachi trains". www.reuters.com. Reuters. 1 March 2011. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  11. ^ Ian Reeve (1 March 2011). "Newton Aycliffe wins approval for Hitachi investment". news.bbc.co.uk. BBC News.
  12. ^ "Agility Trains Confirm Intercity Express Programme Contract - - Hitachi announces preferred site for manufacturing plant" (PDF). www.agilitytrains.co.uk (Press release). Agility Trains. 1 March 2011. {{cite press release}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  13. ^ a b "Case for IEP". Agility Trains.
  14. ^ "Review of the Intercity Express Programme by Sir Andrew Foster". Department for Transport.
  15. ^ "Press Release - Intercity Express Programme" (PDF). Agility Trains. 12 February 2009. Retrieved 12 February 2009.
  16. ^ Adonis, Andrew (26 February 2010). ""Rolling stock" Statement by: Rt Hon Lord Andrew Adonis, Secretary of State for Transport". Department for Transport.
  17. ^ "No IEP contract before election". Railway Gazette International. 26 February 2010.
  18. ^ Philip Hammond (1 March 2011). "Intercity Express and Rail Electrification" (Press release). Department for Transport. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  19. ^ [dead link]Britain selects Hitachi to supply intercity train fleet - International Railway Journal Late News Archive, 12/02/09
  20. ^ Intercity Express Programme, United Kingdom - Rail Technology
  21. ^ "Super Expresses may shrink inter-city network". railnews.co.uk. Retrieved 17 May 2009.
  22. ^ David Millward (13 February 2009). "Row as Japan-led consortium wins £7.5 billion train contract". London: The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 13 February 2009.
  23. ^ a b "Hitachi bid 'could be start of UK train-building renaissance'". Railnews. 3 March 2009.
  24. ^ Webster, Ben (13 February 2009). "UK's £7.5bn train order lost to Japan's Hitachi". London: The Times.
  25. ^ "New train fleet 'to boost jobs'". BBC News. 12 February 2009.

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