Engineering news
Hitachi Rail is to actively target the commuter market following the unveiling of a new train that will be built in the UK.
The launch of the AT200 could lead to the creation of jobs at Hitachi’s main production facility at Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, and at maintenance depots across the country.
The AT200 is a modular, electric train designed for suburban operations. It will be made from aluminium alloy extrusion using friction stir welding for strength and lightness.
Andy Barr, Hitachi’s chief operating officer, said there was a big market for the AT200 in the UK. “The commuter market is really busy at the moment and we are keen to get into that market,” he said. “We have already been announced as a pre-qualified supplier for London Overground, and we are also keen to break into other regions such as Scotland.
“The commuter market could be big for us. It has the potential to create jobs in the UK – not only at Newton Aycliffe in the north east, but also at maintenance and servicing depots around the country.”
Initially, the bodies for the AT200 will be shipped across from Japan, as Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe facility does not have friction stir welding capability. However, should there be sufficient orders for the train Hitachi said it would invest in the requisite equipment.
Hitachi described the AT200 as a modular, off-the-shelf design that could be tailored to individual customer needs. Ease of maintenance was a keen consideration, it said, with the train featuring a high level of on-board diagnostics to provide operators with real-time performance data. This would reduce downtime, said Barr. “Operators don’t want to be having to take the train apart. The diagnostics provide great feedback and allow for predictive maintenance,” he said.
The AT200 will have a speed range of 100-125mph, and acceleration of 1m/s/s, making it ideally suited for high-speed commuter stopping services, said Barr. The interior features inter-vehicle gangways for better use of space, tables and toilet facilities and real-time LCD displays. USB and power sockets will be available at every seat, and the train will come with the necessary installed telecoms architecture for wi-fi provision.
The Newton Aycliffe facility is currently being built, and will be opened next year. It will be used primarily for the construction of the Intercity Express fleet which will be used on the Great Western main line and the East Coast main line.