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Post by singaporesam on Feb 12, 2009 13:35:24 GMT
So, the widely predicted news is true , Hitachi are going to use the UK as a manufacturing base to attempt to compete with Alstom and Bombardier in Europe. (See www.hitachi-rail.com/rail_now/hot_topics/2009/090212/index.html)Does this now make Bombardier favorite for Thameslink ? or are Alstom going to offer to reopen Washwood Heath in a desparate attempt to get back into the UK market. Interesting times ahead..... |
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Post by maxtube on Feb 12, 2009 15:17:11 GMT
I thought Alstom was Bombardier?
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Post by upfast on Feb 12, 2009 15:39:26 GMT
I thought Alstom was Bombardier? No, they are sepearte, competing companies. Alstom bought GEC (don't know if they made trains mind you.) Bombardier bought AdTranz / ABB. |
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Post by cetacean on Feb 12, 2009 15:42:10 GMT
Are you thinking of ABB? They were bought by Bombardier (who are an enormous Canadian transport conglomerate*). Alstom are an enormous French transport conglomerate, and arch rivals of Bombardier.
(* pronounced "Bom-bard-ee-ay". Maybe they're French Canadian)
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Post by upfast on Feb 12, 2009 15:44:49 GMT
I think that Bombardier are French Canadian - But only because their part number lettering on their trains is in a "French style". Well that's my basis for my reason! ;D ;D
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Post by maxtube on Feb 12, 2009 15:52:51 GMT
Did Alstom make the 1995/1996 Stock?
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Post by upfast on Feb 12, 2009 15:55:41 GMT
Did Alstom make the 1995/1996 Stock? Yes. The 95TS were also procured under PFI and LUL Northern Fleet staff transferred to Alstom. |
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neilw
now that's what I call a garden railway
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Post by neilw on Feb 12, 2009 17:53:05 GMT
Just for the record, GEC and Alsthom (avec"h") formed GEC-Alsthom, a 50/50 joint venture, in 1989, and the JV acquired Met-Cam the same year. Much rolling stock still carries GEC-Alsthom tread plates. In 1999 (from memory) GEC-Alsthom floated on the stock exchange and renamed itself Alstom (sans"h"). Rightly or wrongly, the decision was taken to close Washwood Heath, and the latest tube stock for LU, the extra cars and trains for the Jubilee,were made at Alstom's (very impressive) plant near Barcelona.
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Post by maxtube on Feb 12, 2009 18:30:04 GMT
Who are the JV? I want to know who accquired Metro-Cammell, the best rolling stock manufacturer.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2009 18:31:42 GMT
i think JV just means Joint Venture
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Post by upfast on Feb 12, 2009 18:32:54 GMT
Who are the JV? I want to know who accquired Metro-Cammell, the best rolling stock manufacturer. JV= Joint Venture Met Cam had a brilliant name, especially for metro type stock. Just for the record, GEC and Alsthom (avec"h") formed GEC-Alsthom, a 50/50 joint venture, in 1989, and the JV acquired Met-Cam the same year. Much rolling stock still carries GEC-Alsthom tread plates. In 1999 (from memory) GEC-Alsthom floated on the stock exchange and renamed itself Alstom (sans"h"). Rightly or wrongly, the decision was taken to close Washwood Heath, and the latest tube stock for LU, the extra cars and trains for the Jubilee,were made at Alstom's (very impressive) plant near Barcelona. Thanks for that, I had forgotten about Met Cam. |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 12, 2009 20:16:24 GMT
Bombardier are the former BREL - so they quite a long heritage of train building.
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Post by singaporesam on Feb 12, 2009 23:25:34 GMT
What will be really interesting is to see how Hitachi go after market share in the rest of Europe. The foot is the door, they are now European manufacturers , so the big question is how long before they start exporting from the UK into Europe. Alstom´s boss Philippe Mellier has already called for protectionist measures , in January, one guesses that he saw this coming. (http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2009/01/alstom_boss_says_world_should.html). If nothing else this has taught him and others how shortsighted his company´s closure of Washwood Heath and Preston was. Would Bombardier now ever dare to threaten to close Derby again  (http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article1004633.ece) |
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Post by stanmorek on Feb 14, 2009 12:31:13 GMT
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Post by geebeezed on Feb 14, 2009 14:18:20 GMT
I can see a lot more Hitachi kit creeping into the everyday network as well, the 465/9 Networkers will be getting completely new Hitachi equipment once Javelin testing is complete and there are Rumours circulating that the Southern class 442 units may be another recipient... This time making them dual voltage...
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metman
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Post by metman on Feb 14, 2009 18:15:48 GMT
.....well they do have very old ex SR equipment.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2009 18:44:26 GMT
Southern class 442 units may be another recipient... Can't see that happening! Only the control gear really needs replacing, the traction motors themselves are actually fine - and as far as I'm aware the refreshing work done at Wolverton either replaced or did a control gear overhaul |
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Post by geebeezed on Feb 14, 2009 19:16:58 GMT
This is only what I've gleaned from staff at Eastleigh, the story goes is this will be when they're due another overhaul in a couple of years... After all, the same could be said for the Networker fleet, being 'only' 14 years old. The off lease 442s, of which there are 6, are lined up to be assesed.
One idea being bounced about is augmenting them up to 6 cars using a rewired ex CIE Mk3 and giving them dual voltage equipment for inter-regional work the 377s have been doing. A Mk3 based unit on the West coast does seem logical... and a ton cheaper than buying new! As always though, its rumour & supposition.
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Post by antharro on Feb 22, 2009 1:02:58 GMT
I really don't see it happening either. They've only just had a refurb and Southern are spending a notable amount of time and effort fixing problems to make them reliable enough for GatEx services. (Doesn't help they haven't taken on many of the experienced fitters from Bmth Depot). And there have been recent moves for the remaining units at Eastleigh.
2409 is also at Eastleigh being robbed of parts to keep the remaining units going as there's apparently a shortage of spares for these units.
Don't get me wrong, I would love to see these trains around for years to come, but I just don't think this will happen. And they just wouldn't be the same without English Electric Thrash at 90mph! However, I'll ask about this and see what I can find out...
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(http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/article1004633.ece)
