advertisement

---

Alstom Transportation Inc. recently signed contracts worth more than $120 million with passenger rail systems in the United States, Europe and Egypt.



Stateside activities

Chicago Transit Authority next month expects to let Alstom a third optional contract worth $60 million to refurbish 108 subway cars. The $169 million base contract was awarded in December 1997 to overhaul 284 cars, followed by optional contracts in September 1999 for 96 cars, $54 million; and September 2000 for 110 cars, $60 million.



Alstom plans to upgrade the series 2600 cars with its ONIX™ propulsion systems and an advanced cab signal system, as well as install air conditioning, a public address system and improved lighting. Additional improvements include vandal-proof shields for windows and silicone cleats to reduce long-term wear on the high-voltage cabling under the cars.



Alstom plans to deliver 14 cars per month, concluding in September 2003.



Meanwhile, Alstom received a second order for ONIX traction systems and CARA™ auxiliary converters from Kinkisharyo to be used in the train manufacturer’s Santa Clara Valley Transit Authority (SCVTA) rail-car order. The transit agency originally ordered 30 rail-car sets from Kinkisharyo — for which Alstom is currently delivering traction systems and converters — and recently ordered an additional 70 rail cars. Delivery began in August and is planned to continue until October 2003.



Across the pond ...

In another exercised option, Swiss national railways (SBB) ordered an additional 140 double-deck trailer bogies from the IC-2000 Consortium, led by Adtranz. The $419 million base order, signed in 1993, was for 250 coaches in three series. The current option is worth $130 million, of which $15.5 million is Alstom’s share. Alstom also holds the license for the carbody.



The first double-deck coach is scheduled for December delivery; others will follow at a rate of one train per week, concluding in October 2003.



Bombardier Transportation also let Alstom an $18 million contract to supply and commission electrical equipment for Dutch Railways, which in July signed a major refurbishment contract with Bombardier.



The SGM-III contract covers 60 three-car trainsets, in which will be installed new interiors, one extra vestibule per unit and a new customer information system. Alstom also will supply each train with two 1500 VDC chopper installations and two static converters.



Delivery of the first refurbished trainset is planned for April 2003. Taking only four trains out of service at a time, Alstom plans to return the final refurbished trainset to service at the beginning of 2006.



... and farther beyond

Finally, Egypt’s National Authority for Tunnels (NAT) awarded Alstom, as leader of INTERINFRA consortium, a $72.9 million turnkey contract to extend Line 2 1.6 miles south of Giza Suburban station to El Mounib and add two stations.



Alstom’s $29 million portion of the contract includes power supply, signaling and automatic train operations, and a centralized control system, as well as project management.



The extension would be built along Egyptian national Railways tracks. The entire project is expected to take 30 months.