Stadler signs largest UK order with Abellio East Anglia and Rock Rail

Stadler has received its largest order in the United Kingdom worth over £600 million to supply altogether 378 carriages including 20 electric and 38 bi-mode FLIRT multiple units to Abellio East Anglia Ltd. The project is being funded by Rock Rail and the financing agreement for the deal was finalised yesterday. The award is an important milestone in the history of the group, as it is the first contract for mainline rolling stock Stadler has received in the UK market.

The contract is part of the “largest-ever” privately procured order of trains in the UK. Abellio will invest £1.54 billion for the purchase of altogether 1043 new carriages, out of which Stadler is supplying 378 at a value of £610 million. The manufacture and maintenance contracts had already been signed last Friday, while the financing agreement between Abellio and Rock Rail was concluded yesterday. The order came following the decision of the Department for Transport of the United Kingdom to select Abellio East Anglia as the preferred bidder to operate the next East Anglia rail franchise from 17 October.

The 58 trains that make up the deal comprise 378 vehicles with a combination of 20 12-car Intercity Electric Multiple Units and 38 Regional Bi-mode Multiple Units, in both 3-car (14 units) and 4-car (24 units) configuration, which can run under electric or diesel power. Stadler will also be responsible for providing maintenance and servicing of the new trains to be carried out at Crown Point depot in Norwich. The new trains will run on the following routes:

• InterCity services between London and Norwich
• Stansted Express airport services from London Liverpool St/Stratford - Tottenham Hale - Stansted Airport
• Key Regional services in East Anglia

The trains are designed to provide a significantly enhanced passenger experience that will transform rail travel for the people of Norfolk and Suffolk.  The FLIRT trains to be used on the East Anglia franchise will be equipped with air-conditioning; ‘2x2’ seating; Wi-Fi and power points throughout the train; a low floor design, allowing easier access to platform from the train; passenger information systems with real-time information; and have regenerative braking.

Commenting on the new contract, Dominic Booth, Managing Director of Abellio UK, said: “Our ambitious plans for the new franchise are centred on the largest-ever privately-funded train order in the UK to give the people of East Anglia high quality trains as part of a transformation of the region’s railway.  They will be the centrepiece of many other improvements including more frequent services, faster journeys and more capacity with 55% more seats into London in the morning peak.”

Peter Jenelten, Executive Vice President and Head of Marketing & Sales of Stadler, explained: “I am delighted that Stadler has been chosen by Abellio East Anglia for the supply of these new trains in the prestigious UK rolling stock market. All the trains we will be delivering are derived from the latest generation of the best-selling FLIRT family, featuring low floor and level boarding for improved accessibility, passenger comfort and safety. The regional Bi-mode trains feature environmentally friendly, state of the art diesel-electric technology.“

This contract is an important milestone for Stadler, as a first step in the mainline rolling stock segment of the United Kingdom. The company up till now has won orders for the supply of locomotives, trams, tram-trains and metro trains in the UK. The FLIRT is the most successful product of Stadler.

Follow Stadler on Linkedin.