Alstom unveiled a new model of its Very High Speed train at the international railway exhibition EXPO Ferroviaria in Turin, Italy. The new platform is added to an already extensive portfolio, ranging from the tilting High Speed trains Pendolino, to the Very High Speed trains Duplex and AGV.
In a market environment where very high speed is growing worldwide, operators in various countries have different needs, strategies, and demands. The very high speed market has reached a level of maturity that drives customers to refine the identification of their passengers’ needs and hence to fine-tune their technical specifications, according to Alstom officials.
Applying a logic of continuous progress for its Very High Speed technology, Alstom keeps on developing new offerings in order to provide its customers with the largest range of options, to allow them to configure their specific train. The operators can then position its business on the most relevant market segment for them and address their own targets more precisely, the company stated.
As a result, Alstom is further enlarging its portfolio of Very High Speed trains, adding new options that are combined in a third platform: a new very high speed, high capacity, single deck, fully interoperable train. It is based on the best of Alstom technology, which has proven itself over 30 years of experience with the articulated Very High Speed platforms (TGV, TGV Duplex and AGV) and the non-articulated High Speed platforms (Pendolino), according to the company.
The train, designed to reach a maximum speed of 250 mph , relies on 8 traction systems with 8 motors in powered bogies, delivering a total power of 10 MW and is capable of a commercial speed of up to 225 mph. To free all possible space for passengers, all technical equipment have been placed under the chassis. The interior room for passengers has been maximized per a wide bodyshell design and to the positioning of pantographs, so as to keep constant roof height throughout the length of each car. It offers the best ratio in terms of floor surface, number of seats (600) and total train length (8 cars, 200 m).
The train will be able to travel across European borders: it can be equipped with 3 redundant pantographs of different kinds (1.500 volts DC, 3.000 volts DC, 15.000 volts AC, 25.000 volts AC) and can be equipped on board with 10 different signaling systems.
The train is targeted at a worldwide market, with the first real opportunity being Italy and the Trenitalia tender for 50 very high speed trains. Alstom has submitted its bid to this tender on May 20 2010, proposing a specially customized version.