Intercity Express Programme
The Intercity Express Programme, shortly IEP refers to the procurement program of the UK Department for Transport ( Department for Transport, DfT short ) for the successor to the High Speed Train Intercity and Intercity 125 and 225
A tender was launched in 2007 called for three kind of connection: for use on electrified lines, for non- electrified routes and a bimodal version for both track types. 2009 Agility Trains consortium was announced as the winner of the tender, and charged in July 2012 with the construction of 92 trains. The first use is to take place in 2017 on the Great Western Main Line from London Paddington via Bristol to South Wales.
History
Announcement
The tender called for a unified platform for the train that is appropriate depending on the configuration for both the electric drive (25 kV 50 Hz), for driving with a combustion engine, and as a bi-modal version with hybrid drive for both track types.
On 16 November 2007 the Ministry of Transport took three suppliers on the short list - this included Alstom with Barclays, Hitachi Transportation Systems and the Express Rail Alliance from the manufacturers Bombardier Transportation, Siemens Transportation Systems, the leasing company Angel Trains and the investment company Babcock & Brown.
Alstom withdrew from the tender in February 2008. The partner Barclays Private Equity joined on 28 June 2008, four days before the end of the call, together with Hitachi. The resulting therefrom consortium Agility Trains now also included the British construction and infrastructure company John Laing plc.
On 12 February 2009 the government announced that it treats the Agility Trains consortium as preferred providers who should submit an offer for a contract in the amount of 7.5 billion pounds. The decision was criticized as Bombardier in Derby could be finished. Agility designed for the construction of trains a new plant in North East England.
Construction
The proposal of Agility Trains, built by Hitachi is performed under the name "Hitachi Super Express " or " Super Express Train". At least six types should be built in accordance with the tender:
- Type 1 - 10 -piece diesel-electric multiple unit, divided into Type 1A - intercity
- Type 1B - interurban
The hybrid solution is modeled on the test trains on British Rail Class 43 (HST) project, which was to replace the InterCity 125. The wagon modules will have a length of each 26 meters and a width of 2.7 meters, which is still very small even for the small British loading gauge.
Production
The final assembly will take place in a new factory in Newton Aycliffe ( County Durham ). Distance tests are to take place in 2015, which is scheduled on the Great Western Main Line from the end of 2017. The trains for the East Coast Main Line should be available from December 2018.
The first was for 92 trains with 596 cars in 5-piece and 9- piece compositions. 369 cars will be delivered for the line to Bristol and Wales, 227 will be used on the East Coast line.