The Intercity Express Programme (IEP) will become one of a number of British rail projects to benefit from a new research centre, which has been set up by Hitachi.
The European Rail Research Centre, which will be based at Hitachi’s head office in London, will look at rolling stock design – interior and exterior – manufacturing practices, maintenance and Traffic Management Systems.
“Having the new European Rail Research Centre located in our European headquarters is a great asset and shows the level of long-term thinking and investment by Hitachi’s research and development division,” said Alistair Dormer, executive chairman and chief executive officer of Hitachi Rail Europe.
Research carried out at the centre will also support the development of a £20 million Traffic Management System prototype – a contract which was awarded to Hitachi as part of a joint venture with Signalling Solutions (SSL) and Thales.
Dormer added: “While Hitachi Rail Europe builds up its manufacturing facility in the UK, the findings of the research centre will feed into how we best establish the processes in the plant.
“Our recent contract win for a prototype for a UK Traffic Management System will be supported by local research.
“The European Rail Research Centre’s work on maintenance practices as carried out by our facility for the Class 395 train in Ashford, Kent, will help us hone our capabilities for maintaining the Super Express Trains for the Intercity Express Programme, showcasing how we are working locally in the UK and Europe on local research topics.”
Kiyoshi Yamamoto, managing director of Hitachi Europe, commented: “We expect the European Rail Research Centre to support Hitachi’s railway business in Europe and contribute to the development of the region’s railway infrastructure. The Research Centre will provide safe and high-quality solutions by applying Hitachi’s leading technologies.
“In the future, we’d like to expand the research centre with a local office to directly support Hitachi Rail Europe’s planned manufacturing and assembly plant in the UK.”