Hitachi Begins Testing of V Train Technology on the UK Rail Network

Hitachi Rail Systems, with the assistance of HSBC Rail, has begun testing of its dual voltage Verification train (V Train) on the UK rail infrastructure. The aims of the V train trials are to provide formal proof of the compatibility of Hitachi's technology with the UK rail infrastructure and to minimize the EMC safety case acceptance risk for new trains.

Initial testing has begun on Network Rail's AC powered track between Shenfield and Southend Victoria. Testing will transfer to the DC powered lines in the New Year, on a route between Faversham and Ramsgate. Equipment being tested on the V-train includes Hitachi's new IGBT traction converter, axles and gear boxes; traction gear; traction motors; transformer; HT cable; brake resistors and auxiliary power supply.

Alistair Dormer, business development director at Hitachi Rail Systems, commented: "These trials mark a significant step forward for Hitachi Rail Systems in the UK. The V-Train will prove the compatibility of the complete Hitachi A-Train electrical system with the UK's rail infrastructure, which in the past has proved to be a significant hurdle to overcome in the acceptance/delivery of new trains. The substantial investment in the V-Train project is a further demonstration of Hitachi's commitment to the UK rail industry and of our resolve to deliver products with world class safety, reliability and punctuality records to the UK rail market, on time."

V train testing will validate and confirm equipment performance under specific UK track and weather conditions. The testing will confirm our understanding of equipment interference patterns and demonstrate our ability to operate safely on both the UK's, AC and DC infrastructure.

Thameslink platform extensions complete

First Capital Connect will lengthen its first services from eight to 12 carriages on 12 December this year. Photo: Peter Holmes.

The final platform extensions which are needed to allow 50% longer 12-car trains with more seats for passengers to operate on the Bedford to Brighton Thameslink route from next month were completed at Flitwick and Harlington stations on Tuesday 15 November.
Over the last four years, Network Rail has lengthened 41 platforms at 12 stations on the Midland main line between Bedford and West Hampstead by more than 2½ miles in total.
The longer platforms will enable the busiest trains at the busiest times of the day to be increased from eight cars to 12, resulting in a 50% boost in capacity on those services.
Jim Crawford, Network Rail’s major programme director for Thameslink, said:
“The completion of the platform extensions marks a major milestone in the Thameslink construction programme and will allow longer trains to run from next month as planned.
“As well as more seats and less congestion at the busiest times of the day, passengers have more to look forward to next year with the new stations at Blackfriars and Farringdon opening. This will provide a huge improvement to facilities and access at these two important London stations.”
David Statham, First Capital Connect projects director, added:
“Network Rail has done a great job extending platforms north of London in time for our new timetable on 12 December.
“This first phase of the Thameslink programme means we can now run our first longer trains. The next phase will see a new train fleet delivered in 2015 which will create many more longer services.”
First Capital Connect will lengthen its first services from eight to 12 carriages on 12 December this year.
There will be three in the morning rush hour from Bedford and one service from Brighton with the same number home again in the evening.

Central line trains to be ‘overhauled’ for 2012 Games

The work should potentially increase the distance Central line trains can travel before experiencing a fault by around another 1,000 kilometres. Photo: Janderk1968.

Passengers using the Central line will ‘soon begin to benefit from a rejuvenation of their carriages’, TfL has said.
After 19 years in service the current fleet of trains is being ‘revamped to bring passengers cleaner, more comfortable trains to serve the next generation of passengers and beyond’.
The overhaul of the fleet includes replacing 4,060 windows, replacing the side panels that make up the outside of the trains, and covering 23,144 seats with a new fabric.
The outside of every carriage on all 85 trains in the fleet will also be coated with a protective film that will make them easier to clean.
As part of the upgrade works the gearboxes and their housings have been modified, as have the frames which house the wheels and axles.
That work will improve the reliability of the trains and should mean the trains will be able to travel greater distances before experiencing a fault.
The work should ‘potentially increase the distance Central line trains can travel before experiencing a fault by around another 1,000 kilometres’.
The trains are being worked on in pairs so ‘as not to affect normal services’.
The work will cost £27m and the entire fleet will be complete before the Olympic and Paralympic Games next year, in readiness for an influx of passengers that will be heading to and from Stratford.
Peter Tollington, Central line Manager, said:
“We are going to greatly improve the look of our trains and make them as comfortable as possible for commuters and visitors to the Olympic Park.”
London-based design company Wallace Sewell’s blue and red ‘moquette’ fabric is inspired by London landmarks.