NXEMU
Encyclopedia
The Thameslink Rolling Stock Programme is a procurement program within the scope of the Thameslink rail improvement programme
by the Department for Transport
(UK) for the acquisition of a fleet of approximately 900 to 1300 passenger rail vehicles for services on Thameslink
lines, an estimated 110 trains. The procurement process began in 2008 with an estimated value of £1.4 billion.
The Cross London Trains (XLT) consortium's bid to produce Siemens Mobility's Desiro City EMU was named preferred bidder on 16 June 2011. The decision not to award the contract to the bidder with a manufacturing plant in the United Kingdom (Bombardier Transportation
) was heavily criticised.
(UK). The aim of the programme was to introduce more passenger capacity on Thameslink lines to match expected demand, additionally, the bidders were to provide depots for vehicle maintenance and storage. The bidders would also be expected to provide finance for the rolling stock project; revenue would come via hiring (leasing) the trains to Train Operating Companies
, and from maintenance payments.
The general specifications for the rolling stock included: high reliability, short station dwell times, integrated information technology including passenger information and information for vehicle maintenance, a top speed of 100 mph and good acceleration and de-acceleration performance in line with a high frequency timetable. Additionally the trains were to be designed for low weight and low track forces and high energy efficiency . A standard length train was to be about 240m long, with some services using trains limited to 162m.
The passenger accommodation was to include solutions for both 'metro' and 'commuter' version, based around a [2+2] seating arrangement, with fold up seats and designed for high levels of standing passengers. Ride quality and noise levels and were expected to meet or exceed current vehicles. Climate control (air conditioning) was to be fitted. The vehicles were to be fitted for Driver Only Operation, and included GSM-R
communications radio, as well as AWS
, TPWS and ERTMS level 2 safety systems. The ability to be used in a 'driverless' mode Automatic train operation
was also specified.
Vehicles were to operate on 750V DC and 25kV AC electrification systems, and be able to brake using regenerative braking, maintenance time was to be reduced by modular components, remote diagnostics, and avoidance of overly complicated systems. The Department of Transport gave a target of 384 tonnes when empty for a 243m train.
, Bombardier
, Hitachi
and Siemens
as train builders. The Invitation to Tenders were issued to the four bidders in November 2008.
Hitachi exited the bidding process in April 2009.
In September 2009 Alstom unveiled its train offer; the 'X'trapolis UK', an unusually articulated vehicle using 15.6m cars - individual carriages were to be supported at one end by a bogie, and at the opposite end by a linkage to the next carriage. The shorter vehicle allowed a slightly wider design, the lower number of bogies was to have resulted in a train approximately 40 tonnes lighter than a conventional design; but resulted in a higher axleload. The bid was rejected in October 2009.
In July 2009 Siemens unveiled the Desiro City, a development of design and technology used in its British Desiro
range and the Desiro Mainline range. Development of the design began in 2007, with an investment of ~£45 million.
Bombardier Transportation
offered the Aventra
, a new design incorporating a development of the FLEXX Eco inside frame bogie with bogie mounted traction motors.
Both Bombardier's and Siemens' rolling stock designs were conventional EMUs incorporating inside frame bogies, and modern passenger and rolling stock information systems.
The consortium of Siemens Project Ventures GmbH, Inisfree Ltd., and 3i Infrastructure Ltd., was named preferred bidder on 16 June 2011; entry into service is now scheduled from 2015 to 2018. The vehicles are to be manufactured at Siemens' plant in Krefeld
, Germany, whilst maintenance depots are to be constructed at Hornsey
(London) and Three Bridges
(Sussex). The decision to award the contract to a bidder that would be constructing the trains outside the UK was controversial, and created criticism of the UK government's bidding process, which had not included weightings in favour of native manufacturing; this led to a review of governmental procurement mechanisms.
Thameslink Programme
The Thameslink Programme, originally Thameslink 2000, is a £6 billion project in south-east England to upgrade and expand the Thameslink rail network to provide new and longer trains between a wider range of stations to the north and to the south of London without requiring passengers to change...
by the Department for Transport
Department for Transport
In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are not devolved...
(UK) for the acquisition of a fleet of approximately 900 to 1300 passenger rail vehicles for services on Thameslink
Thameslink
Thameslink is a fifty-station main-line route in the British railway system running north to south through London from Bedford to Brighton, serving both London Gatwick Airport and London Luton Airport. It opened as a through service in 1988 and by 1998 was severely overcrowded, carrying more than...
lines, an estimated 110 trains. The procurement process began in 2008 with an estimated value of £1.4 billion.
The Cross London Trains (XLT) consortium's bid to produce Siemens Mobility's Desiro City EMU was named preferred bidder on 16 June 2011. The decision not to award the contract to the bidder with a manufacturing plant in the United Kingdom (Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
) was heavily criticised.
Background and specifications
The procurement process was begun on 9 April 2008 by the Department for TransportDepartment for Transport
In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are not devolved...
(UK). The aim of the programme was to introduce more passenger capacity on Thameslink lines to match expected demand, additionally, the bidders were to provide depots for vehicle maintenance and storage. The bidders would also be expected to provide finance for the rolling stock project; revenue would come via hiring (leasing) the trains to Train Operating Companies
Train operating company
The term train operating company is used in the United Kingdom to describe the various businesses operating passenger trains on the railway system of Great Britain under the collective National Rail brand...
, and from maintenance payments.
The general specifications for the rolling stock included: high reliability, short station dwell times, integrated information technology including passenger information and information for vehicle maintenance, a top speed of 100 mph and good acceleration and de-acceleration performance in line with a high frequency timetable. Additionally the trains were to be designed for low weight and low track forces and high energy efficiency . A standard length train was to be about 240m long, with some services using trains limited to 162m.
The passenger accommodation was to include solutions for both 'metro' and 'commuter' version, based around a [2+2] seating arrangement, with fold up seats and designed for high levels of standing passengers. Ride quality and noise levels and were expected to meet or exceed current vehicles. Climate control (air conditioning) was to be fitted. The vehicles were to be fitted for Driver Only Operation, and included GSM-R
GSM-R
GSM-R, Global System for Mobile Communications - Railway or GSM-Railway is an international wireless communications standard for railway communication and applications. A sub-system of European Rail Traffic Management System , it is used for communication between train and railway regulation...
communications radio, as well as AWS
Automatic Warning System
The Automatic Warning System is a form of limited cab signalling and train protection system introduced in 1956 in the United Kingdom to help train drivers observe and obey signals. It was based on a 1930 system developed by Alfred Ernest Hudd and marketed as the "Strowger-Hudd" system...
, TPWS and ERTMS level 2 safety systems. The ability to be used in a 'driverless' mode Automatic train operation
Automatic train operation
Automatic train operation ensures partial or complete automatic train piloting and driverless functions.Most systems elect to maintain a driver to mitigate risks associated with failures or emergencies....
was also specified.
Vehicles were to operate on 750V DC and 25kV AC electrification systems, and be able to brake using regenerative braking, maintenance time was to be reduced by modular components, remote diagnostics, and avoidance of overly complicated systems. The Department of Transport gave a target of 384 tonnes when empty for a 243m train.
Bids
In July 2008 the Department of Transport shortlisted bids from consortia including AlstomAlstom
Alstom is a large multinational conglomerate which holds interests in the power generation and transport markets. According to the company website, in the years 2010-2011 Alstom had annual sales of over €20.9 billion, and employed more than 85,000 people in 70 countries. Alstom's headquarters are...
, Bombardier
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
, Hitachi
Hitachi
Hitachi is a multinational corporation specializing in high-technology.Hitachi may also refer to:*Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan*Hitachi province, former province of Japan*Prince Hitachi and Princess Hitachi, members of the Japanese imperial family...
and Siemens
Siemens
Siemens may refer toSiemens, a German family name carried by generations of telecommunications industrialists, including:* Werner von Siemens , inventor, founder of Siemens AG...
as train builders. The Invitation to Tenders were issued to the four bidders in November 2008.
Hitachi exited the bidding process in April 2009.
In September 2009 Alstom unveiled its train offer; the 'X'trapolis UK', an unusually articulated vehicle using 15.6m cars - individual carriages were to be supported at one end by a bogie, and at the opposite end by a linkage to the next carriage. The shorter vehicle allowed a slightly wider design, the lower number of bogies was to have resulted in a train approximately 40 tonnes lighter than a conventional design; but resulted in a higher axleload. The bid was rejected in October 2009.
In July 2009 Siemens unveiled the Desiro City, a development of design and technology used in its British Desiro
Desiro
The Siemens Desiro is a family of diesel or electric multiple unit passenger trains. The main variants are the Desiro Classic, Desiro ML, Desiro UK and the future Desiro City and Desiro RUS. The trains are mostly used for commuter and regional services, and their rapid acceleration makes them...
range and the Desiro Mainline range. Development of the design began in 2007, with an investment of ~£45 million.
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
offered the Aventra
Aventra
The Aventra is a new family of EMUs designed by Bombardier as a successor to the Electrostar EMUs.-Description:The multiple units have been designed to be lighter, more efficient, and have increased reliability. They have lightweight all-welded bodies, wide gangways and doors to shorten boarding...
, a new design incorporating a development of the FLEXX Eco inside frame bogie with bogie mounted traction motors.
Both Bombardier's and Siemens' rolling stock designs were conventional EMUs incorporating inside frame bogies, and modern passenger and rolling stock information systems.
Contract
The contract for order was originally planned to be signed in Summer 2009, with the vehicles in service by February 2012, and a full service by 2015. The award of the contract was delayed by the 2010 general election. After the subsequent spending review, the procurement was announced as going ahead in late 2010.The consortium of Siemens Project Ventures GmbH, Inisfree Ltd., and 3i Infrastructure Ltd., was named preferred bidder on 16 June 2011; entry into service is now scheduled from 2015 to 2018. The vehicles are to be manufactured at Siemens' plant in Krefeld
Krefeld
Krefeld , also known as Crefeld until 1929, is a city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located northwest of Düsseldorf, its centre lying just a few kilometres to the west of the River Rhine; the borough of Uerdingen is situated directly on the Rhine...
, Germany, whilst maintenance depots are to be constructed at Hornsey
Hornsey
Hornsey is a district in London Borough of Haringey in north London in England. Whilst Hornsey was formerly the name of a parish and later a municipal borough of Middlesex, today, the name refers only to the London district. It is an inner-suburban area located north of Charing Cross.-Locale:The ...
(London) and Three Bridges
Three Bridges
Three Bridges is a neighbourhood within the town of Crawley, in the county of West Sussex in England.-History:Three Bridges was a tiny hamlet, which first began to grow with the coming of the London and Brighton Railway in 1841...
(Sussex). The decision to award the contract to a bidder that would be constructing the trains outside the UK was controversial, and created criticism of the UK government's bidding process, which had not included weightings in favour of native manufacturing; this led to a review of governmental procurement mechanisms.
See also
- CrossrailCrossrailCrossrail is a project to build a major new railway link under central London. The name refers to the first of two routes which are the responsibility of Crossrail Ltd. It is based on an entirely new east-west tunnel with a central section from to Liverpool Street station...
: the rolling stock procured for the Crossrail programme (designated Class 345British Rail Class 345Class 345 is the registered rolling stock class name for the planned fleet to operate the London Crossrail routes across Central London when complete in 2018...
) is expected to be similar to that used for Thamelink.