Department of Transport

Chiltern rolling stock order “great news” for rail passengers says Watts
_______________________________________________________________

date 11 September 1996
source Department of Transport
type Press release

note 283

John Watts, Minister for Railways and Roads welcomed as "great news"
the announcement today that the recently franchised Chiltern Railways
had agreed a #34 million package with Adtranz including a train
maintenance contract and an order for twelve new state-of-the-art
turbo carriages.

The deal will create 50 new jobs at the company's plant in Derby.

Mr Watts said:

"Chiltern's order is the first to be placed by a franchised
company and comes hot on the heels of the award of the franchise to
M40 trains. But this is only the beginning - today's announcement
follows the recent commitment of #400 million worth of new stock for
South Eastern, and new rolling stock is also in prospect on Gatwick
Express, LTS and Midland MainLine. The rolling stock supply industry
can look forward to the future with renewed confidence.

"This new rolling stock will provide for greater passenger
comfort on longer distance journeys between Marylebone and
Birmingham, reducing journey times to just under two hours. With air
conditioning, and more space for seating and luggage storage, the
turbo trains will provide a high quality service for rail
passengers."

He continued:

"This is great news for Derby, and great news for the users
of Chiltern's rail services. Adtranz are to be congratulated on
winning this contract, with all the new jobs it will bring.

"As a Charter Mark winning company, Chiltern is continuing to
set the standard for customer care on the railways. The company has
set its sights on growing the market for rail travel, establishing
service standards which will get people out of their cars and on to
the trains.

"This order marks a new beginning for the rolling stock
supply industry, part of a railway renaissance from which the whole
industry is benefiting. It is a demonstration that franchisees, on
Chiltern and elsewhere in the country, are demonstrating their
confidence by investing in the future of our railways."

NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The deal consists of an order for 12 new vehicles which will
be formed into four three-car trains. They will be principally used
on new London-Birmingham express services, with a journey time of
under two hours, which are planned to commence in September 1998.

2. For more information about the announcement of new rolling
stock for Chiltern please contact:

Karen Wilds Sandra Loftus Cath Proctor
Adtranz Key Communications Chiltern Railways
01332 266470/1 0171 724 3246 0171 333 3032



# = pounds sterling

Railhub Archive ::: 1996-09-11 DoT-001