GENERAL NEWS
Additional order for RER NG trains for Alstom
Alstom , a global specialist in smart and sustainable mobility , will supply SNCF Voyageurs with 35 additional RER NG trains for the RER E line on the Île-de- France Mobilités network . Worth almost 520 million euros , this new order was awarded to Alstom by SNCF Voyageurs on behalf of Île-de-France Mobilités . It follows on from the financing voted for by the organising authority .
“ Alstom is delighted with this announcement , which reflects the renewed confidence of Île-de-France Mobilités and SNCF Voyageurs in this newgeneration equipment . Specially designed for the Île-de-France region and manufactured by nine of our sites in France , RER NG is a real asset for modernising the network and improving the passenger experience ,” said Frédéric Wiscart , President of Alstom France .
Financed 100 % by Île-de-France Mobilités , this order is part of the framework agreement signed in 2017 between SNCF Voyageurs and Alstom . The firm tranche of the RER NG contract included the delivery of 71 trains . A further 60 trains were ordered in 2023 . To date , 166 RER NGs have been ordered , including 130 for RER E and 36 for RER D .
“ Alstom is delighted with this announcement , which reflects the renewed confidence of Île-de-France Mobilités and SNCF Voyageurs in this new-generation equipment . Specially designed for the Île-de- France region and manufactured by nine of our sites in France , RER NG is a real asset for modernising the network and improving the passenger experience ”, added Frédéric Wiscart .
Since November 2023 , the first RER NGs have been gradually brought into service on the RER E line . They were due to be deployed on the RER D line by the end of 2024 .
The “ New Generation ” RER is a doubledeck rolling stock designed for the RER D and RER E lines operated by Transilien SNCF Voyageurs , on behalf of Île-de- France Mobilités , to improve passenger comfort and regularity on these lines . This train has been designed , in terms of architecture and interior design , to optimise capacity and passenger flow . With an entirely open “ boa ” architecture and wide doors , it allows passengers to enter and leave , and offers three distinct travel areas . In each of the end cars , platforms allow wheelchair passengers direct and rapid access to their dedicated areas . RER NG also features eight motor bogies , which provide better acceleration and deceleration performance than previous generations of equipment .
Alstom ’ s Valenciennes-Petite Forêt and Crespin sites , in Hauts-de-France , are responsible for designing and assembling the trains . In total , nine of Alstom ’ s 16 French sites are contributing to the project , with the participation of component manufacturing sites ( Ornans ; Tarbes ; Le Creusot ; Petit-Quevilly and Villeurbanne ) as well as its La Rochelle and Saint-Ouen sites . n
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. alstom . com
Laser investment boosts FSP growth plans
A UK manufacturer of access covers and steel products for the construction , water , energy and security sectors has reinforced its ambitious growth plans with a significant investment in new equipment . Fabweld Steel Products , which is based at Court Works in Telford ( UK ), aims to almost double its turnover in the next five years .
To help the firm achieve that target , it has invested in a 15kW Accurl Fibre Laser to increase its production capacity and scope to boost growth . The new machinery replaces the firm ’ s 3KW fibre laser cutting equipment , which handled 95 per cent of products at its Telford factory .
“ It ’ s my aim that we will grow sales 75 per cent within the next five years . The Accurl laser is the latest investment to help us achieve this and follows previous work to extend our welding capability and nitrogen gas generation . All three investments will ensure we have the right infrastructure for the growth we want ,” commented FSP managing director , Wayne Carter .
Fabweld Steel Products ’ latest investment , the 15kW Accurl Fibre Laser .
“ After more than ten years of hard work , we had outgrown our 3kW fibre laser . This new machine will provide us with far greater cutting speeds and scope , ultimately removing a major barrier to growth and creating many new opportunities for FSP . I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those staff who worked additional hours to get us ahead of our cutting schedule so we could get the new laser installed and commissioned with as little disruption as possible . Going forward , the increased speed , capability and capacity will quickly put us onto an upward trajectory to achieve our full potential ,” he added .
The laser installation process was completed at the end of October 2024 . Fabweld Steel Products Ltd is an established company with over 30 years of experience in the design and manufacture of fabricated steel access covers and associated products .
“ This upgrade has taken a considerable amount of planning . Ultimately , we had reached a point where we were unable to grow the business or expand our scope . Upgrading our laser will enable us to do both ,” concluded Wayne Carter . n
www . fsp . co . uk /
ISMR December 2024 / January 2025 | ismr . net | 9