British Rail Class 345
Encyclopedia
Class 345 is the registered rolling stock class name for the planned fleet to operate the London Crossrail
routes across Central London
when complete in 2018. The requirement is for 60 trains 200 m long carrying up to 1,500 passengers, with a cost initially estimated of the order of £1 billion.
In March 2011, Crossrail announced that Alstom
, Bombardier
, CAF
, Hitachi
and Siemens
had been shortlisted to compete for the contract to build the Class 345 and its associated depot. The initial bidding process was expected to start in late 2011, with a contract decision in 2013.
In August 2011 the invitation to tender was delayed to 2012, and the contract to 2014 with the introduction of trains running on the Great Eastern Main Line
expected from May 2017 (previously 2016), with a correspondingly shortended production schedule. This was said to be a cost saving measure to avoid newly manufactured vehicles being unused whilst Crossrail tunnelling projects were completed; and also to postpone bidding until after a review of governmental procurement processes. Alstom withdrew from the bidding process in August 2011.
Crossrail
Crossrail is a project to build a major new railway link under central London. The name refers to the first of two routes which are the responsibility of Crossrail Ltd. It is based on an entirely new east-west tunnel with a central section from to Liverpool Street station...
routes across Central London
Central London
Central London is the innermost part of London, England. There is no official or commonly accepted definition of its area, but its characteristics are understood to include a high density built environment, high land values, an elevated daytime population and a concentration of regionally,...
when complete in 2018. The requirement is for 60 trains 200 m long carrying up to 1,500 passengers, with a cost initially estimated of the order of £1 billion.
History
The procurement programme was launched in December 2010; the package valued at approximately £1bn was for the supply of 60 high capacity ten carriage trains with a capacity of ~1500 passengers, as well as construction of maintenance depots.In March 2011, Crossrail announced that Alstom
Alstom
Alstom is a large multinational conglomerate which holds interests in the power generation and transport markets. According to the company website, in the years 2010-2011 Alstom had annual sales of over €20.9 billion, and employed more than 85,000 people in 70 countries. Alstom's headquarters are...
, Bombardier
Bombardier Transportation
Bombardier Transportation is the rail equipment division of the Canadian firm, Bombardier Inc. Bombardier Transportation is one of the world's largest companies in the rail-equipment manufacturing and servicing industry. Its headquarters are in Berlin, Germany....
, CAF
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles
Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles is a rail equipment manufacturer based in Beasain in the Basque Country, Spain. Equipment manufactured by CAF includes light rail vehicles, rapid transit trains, railroad cars and locomotives, as well as variable gauge axles that can be fitted on any...
, Hitachi
Hitachi
Hitachi is a multinational corporation specializing in high-technology.Hitachi may also refer to:*Hitachi, Ibaraki, Japan*Hitachi province, former province of Japan*Prince Hitachi and Princess Hitachi, members of the Japanese imperial family...
and Siemens
Siemens AG
Siemens AG is a German multinational conglomerate company headquartered in Munich, Germany. It is the largest Europe-based electronics and electrical engineering company....
had been shortlisted to compete for the contract to build the Class 345 and its associated depot. The initial bidding process was expected to start in late 2011, with a contract decision in 2013.
In August 2011 the invitation to tender was delayed to 2012, and the contract to 2014 with the introduction of trains running on the Great Eastern Main Line
Great Eastern Main Line
The Great Eastern Main Line is a 212 Kilometre major railway line of the British railway system, which connects Liverpool Street in the City of London with destinations in east London and the East of England, including Chelmsford, Colchester, Ipswich, Norwich and several coastal resorts such as...
expected from May 2017 (previously 2016), with a correspondingly shortended production schedule. This was said to be a cost saving measure to avoid newly manufactured vehicles being unused whilst Crossrail tunnelling projects were completed; and also to postpone bidding until after a review of governmental procurement processes. Alstom withdrew from the bidding process in August 2011.
See also
- Thameslink rolling stock programme
- First Capital ConnectFirst Capital ConnectFirst Capital Connect is a passenger train operating company in England that began operations on the National Rail network on 1 April 2006...
- AventraAventraThe Aventra is a new family of EMUs designed by Bombardier as a successor to the Electrostar EMUs.-Description:The multiple units have been designed to be lighter, more efficient, and have increased reliability. They have lightweight all-welded bodies, wide gangways and doors to shorten boarding...
- Desiro City