HS2 rolling stock

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HS2 rolling stock
HS2 train.jpg
Proposed design of rolling stock by Hitachi and Alstom joint venture
In service2029-2033[1]
Built atHitachi Newton Aycliffe plus Alstom in Derby and Crewe[2]
Number under construction54[3]
CapacityUp to 550[4]
Depot(s)Washwood Heath[5]
Line(s) servedHigh Speed 2, West Coast Main Line, Midland Main Line, East Coast Main Line, Northern Powerhouse Rail[6]
Specifications
Train length200 m (660 ft)[3]
Maximum speed360 km/h (220 mph)
Electric system(s)25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead line
Current collector(s)Pantograph
Safety system(s)ETCS, AWS, TPWS
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The HS2 rolling stock are trains for the under-construction High Speed 2 (HS2) high-speed rail line.

There will be two types of trains with both being able to run at the top operating speed of 360 km/h (220 mph) on the HS2 line. The initial order for phase 1 and 2a was for 'conventional compatible' trains and will be capable of leaving the dedicated high-speed sections to continue onto existing lines,[7] where the loading gauge would be more restricted.[8][9] In the later phase 2b, a number of 'captive' trains (unable to use the existing rail network) may be ordered to operate alongside the conventional compatible trains, with a similar loading gauge to existing European high speed trains.

The contract for the first batch was awarded to a partnership between Hitachi Rail and Alstom, for 54 conventional compatible trains, which will be constructed in the United Kingdom.[10] The trains will be based on the Zefiro V300 family of trains.[11] The electric multiple units (EMU) will be 200-metre (660 ft) long with the option to couple two units together to create a 400-metre train.[12]

History[]

The first batch of rolling stock for HS2 is specified in the Train Technical Specification issued with the Invitation To Tender (ITT), which was initially published in July 2018, being revised in March 2019 following clarification questions from tendering companies.[9]

Five bids were shortlisted for the first HS2 rolling stock contract:[13]

  • Alstom, a French company, bid for the HS2 trains with its United Kingdom managing director Nick Crossfield stating “Alstom’s vision is to make HS2 trains a timeless design classic, with a passenger experience that is as smooth, calm and spacious as it is high-speed.”[13]
  • Bombardier Transportation, comprises a Canadian company, and Hitachi Rail, a Japanese company. This partnership built Frecciarossa 1000 high-speed trains in Italy.[13] Bombardier was later acquired by Alstom making the bid a partnership between Alstom and Hitachi.[14]
  • Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles (CAF), a Spanish company, these trains would be based on its Oaris platform. The director of CAF Rail UK Richard Garner said “The Oaris platform uses the latest technology to offer high-speed travel and has demonstrated its capacity to operate at speeds over 360 km/h – combined with the advantages of proven reliability, comfort and safety.”[13]
  • Talgo, a Spanish company. These trains would be based on its AVRIL platform. Talgo UK's Jon Veitch stated “HS2 will be crucial as the UK economy grows. We humbly believe that Talgo’s combination of experience and adaptivity is the best option for both train operating companies and taxpayers.”[13]
  • Siemens, a German company. William Wilson, CEO of Siemens Mobility has said “Our team has worked tirelessly to develop an offer that transforms how passengers experience high-speed trains and set the standard for other global high-speed rail systems to follow."[13]

On 9 December 2021, the contract was awarded to the Hitachi Rail-Alstom joint venture.[15]

There have been reports of legal challenges related to the contract. A challenge by Talgo was settled out of court.[16] Siemens sought an injunction to stop the contract being awarded but is now only seeking damages.[17] It has been reported that this is to help it secure contracts for other elements of the HS2 project.[18]

The contract was to be awarded in spring 2020 but was delayed due to delays to the start of HS2 construction.[19] The contract was then scheduled for October 2021 but was not awarded until December 2021 as it awaited government approval.[19]

Initial train class[]

The contract to build the trains is worth £2 billion.[12] The captive trains will cost around £27 million per train and the conventional compatible trains, which will be built for the United Kingdom loading gauge, will cost around £40 million.[20]

The trains will be assembled at the Hitachi Newton Aycliffe factory, the bogies will be manufactured at the Alstom factory in Crewe, and final assembly and fit-out will take place at Alstom in Derby.[21][22]

The first train will finish production around 2027.[15] They will enter service when phase 1 of HS2 opens between 2029 and 2033.[23]

The trains will feature regenerative braking being 15% lighter and feature 30% more seats than comparable high speed trains in Europe.[24][19] The trains will also be the fastest trains in the United Kingdom.[10]

References[]

  1. ^ "Phase One: London to West Midlands".
  2. ^ "HS2 Ltd awards Hitachi-Alstom JV landmark rolling stock contracts".
  3. ^ a b "HS2 agrees £2bn deal to build UK's fastest trains".
  4. ^ "Hitachi-led joint venture to supply 54 trains to operate HS2 services".
  5. ^ "Washwood Heath train depot and control centre".
  6. ^ "Integrated Rail Plan".
  7. ^ Smale, Katherine (23 April 2017). "Classic compatible fleet for first round of HS2". New Civil Engineer. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  8. ^ "HS2 Train Technical Specification" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ a b "HS2 Train Technical Specification" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ a b "HS2 agrees £2bn deal to build UK's fastest trains". BBC News. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  11. ^ (PDF) https://ec.europa.eu/competition/mergers/cases1/20215/m9779_2816_2.pdf. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ a b "HS2 signs £2bn deal for UK's fastest trains". The Independent. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  13. ^ a b c d e f RailEngineer. "The 5 bidders for HS2 train order reveal their designs – Rail Engineer". Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  14. ^ "Alstom completes acquisition of Bombardier Transportation". www.railway-technology.com. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  15. ^ a b "HS2 Ltd awards landmark rolling stock contracts to Hitachi-Alstom joint venture". HS2 News and Information. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  16. ^ Kennedy, Catherine (28 June 2021). "HS2 reaches out of court settlement with Talgo in train procurement dispute". New Civil Engineer. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  17. ^ Reuters (10 December 2021). "Siemens scraps legal challenge to British train order". Reuters. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  18. ^ Gill, Oliver (9 December 2021). "Germany's Siemens abandons HS2 contract battle". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  19. ^ a b c Kennedy, Catherine (9 December 2021). "HS2's £2bn train contracts finally awarded after Covid delays and legal wrangling". New Civil Engineer. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  20. ^ "HS2 Cost and Risk Model Report" (PDF).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ "Hitachi and Alstom win order to build and maintain High Speed Two trains in Britain". Mynewsdesk. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  22. ^ "HS2 trains to be built in County Durham bringing jobs to the region". ITV News. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2021.
  23. ^ "Phase One: London to West Midlands". High Speed 2. Retrieved 19 December 2021.
  24. ^ "BREAKING: Alstom and Hitachi Win HS2 Rolling Stock Contract". Railway-News. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 19 December 2021.

External links[]

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