Intercity Express Programme
Encyclopedia
The Intercity Express Programme is an initiative of the Department for Transport
(DfT) in the United Kingdom to procure new trains to replace the InterCity 125
fleet on the East Coast Main Line
and Great Western Main Line
, as well as replacing other trainsets on long distance services from London to places including Cambridge, Oxford, Hull and Weston-super-Mare.
On 12 February 2009, the DfT announced that Agility Trains
, a consortium led by Hitachi
, was the preferred bidder, with a train named the Hitachi Super Express.
In February 2010 it was announced the programme was suspended pending an independent report published in July 2010. A decision on the future of the programme was deferred along with decisions on the further electrification of the mainline network. In March 2011 the government confirmed its decision to proceed with Agility Trains with a changed programme. The order is expected to be placed by the end of 2011 and a manufacturing facility planned to be built in Newton Aycliffe
, County Durham
. Trains would enter service from 2016–2018.
and electric Intercity 225
fleets.
The specification called for increased capacity and environmental performance over current designs, the ability to divide the train in order to serve different sub-routes, a modular design with three different variants that can be powered by electricity, diesel or both, and a design speed of 125 mph (55.9 m/s) with costings for higher maximum speeds up to 155 mph (69.3 m/s). The tender was to assume pre-series introduction on the East Coast Main Line in 2012 with series production from 2014 to 2020, and a quantity of between 500 and 2000 vehicles.
Bids would be accepted from organisations or consortia able to design, produce, finance and maintain the trains for 30 years. The specification also required 'the flexibility to operate on inter-urban and commuter routes as well as long-distance journeys'.
On 16 November 2007 the Department for Transport issued its IEP Invitation to Tender to three shortlisted entities:
After Alstom
withdrew from the bidding in February 2008, Barclays Private Equity
re-entered the project on 26 June 2008, four days before the end of the bidding process, as a partner of Hitachi and John Laing, in Agility Trains Ltd.
On 12 February 2009, the Government announced that Agility Trains was the preferred bidder for a train supply contract then valued at £7.5bn. The DfT was accused of 'spin
' in its handling of this announcement and Hitachi's manufacturing plans attracted concern for reasons such as balance of payments
issues, the Japanese domestic railway market being largely closed to foreign entrants, and the extent to which jobs would be safeguarded or created in the UK.
Subsequently, Agility's website was modified to say "The Super Express Train can operate in any formation from 5 car to 12 car sets". Potential IEP formations of 10, 9, 8, 6, 5 and 4 passenger carriages were mentioned in Sir Andrew Foster's review of the programme. The end cars in a unit would have contained either transformer
and rectifier
, or hybrid electrical generation apparatus and rectifier, depending on version, but would not have powered axles. At least half the axles on the intermediate carriages would have been motored, receiving energy from the end cars via a power bus. The self-powered and bi-mode units could have been of the hybrid train type, as trialled on a British Rail Class 43 locomotive and trailer combination (see Class 43 hybrid trial). Carriages 26 metres long and 2.7 metres wide were planned, making them longer and narrower than previous British passenger rolling stock.
suggested that the DfT should abandon the diesel version of the IEP as emissions regulations and the minimal demand for diesel-powered high-speed trains abroad made it cheaper to electrify lines and operate electric trains than to buy new diesel trains. In January 2009, Secretary of State for Transport
Geoff Hoon
stated that before finalising procurement plans he would need to consider electrification proposals from Network Rail in terms of cost, financing and benefit. In June 2009 Network Rail published a draft Electrification Strategy recommending electrification of the Midland Main Line
and Great Western Main Line
through to Oxford
and Swansea
, followed by some cross-country routes and the Reading to Plymouth Line
. On 23 July 2009 the DfT presented plans to electrify the Great Western Main Line from London to Bristol and from Swindon to Swansea. After the Comprehensive Spending Review in October 2010 it was announced the lines from London to Didcot, Oxford and Newbury would be electrified in the following six years.
On 1 March 2011 the extension from Didcot to Swindon, Bristol and Cardiff was announced.
announced that contract negotiations could not be completed before the 2010 United Kingdom general election, and a value for money review was to be carried out. Network Rail
's commitment to electrify the main line between London and Bristol meant that the original assumptions used when formulating the procurement plan had changed; furthermore, passenger transport figure increases had not met expectations. Lord Adonis also blamed lack of financial support from the City
. Additionally a planned second phase, to introduce new trains to the specifications in the plan on the West Coast Main Line
, was cancelled. Opposition
politicians, industry commentators and the Association of Train Operating Companies
were critical of aspects of the scheme, particularly the micromanagement of the proposed trains' specifications, and lack of input from potential operators. Also, the Department for Transport's targets for energy consumption were reported to have been considered impracticable.
In July 2010 the report on the programme by Sir Andrew Foster was published, and the decision on whether to proceed with the programme deferred until after the Spending Review in October 2010 while alternatives were assessed. Other options examined in the report included combinations of: using existing carriages propelled by high-powered electric locomotives, class 377
, or re-engineered class 319
or 365
commuter trains on some sections to compensate for demand, the use of class 180
diesel trains on some non-electrified routes, or refurbished Intercity 125s, as well as infill electrification.
On 25 November 2010 the Secretary of State for Transport
(Philip Hammond
) announced that a final decision on the Intercity Express Programme would be deferred to 2011 along with decisions on further electrification of the rail system. Two options for the non-electrified sections were being considered: coupling of an all-electric train to a diesel locomotive, or Agility Trains' proposal of electric trains with additional underfloor engines. On 1 March 2011 the government announced it was to continue with the programme with Agility Trains as the preferred bidder together with plans to electrify the Great Western Main Line
as far as Cardiff,. The order, expected to be placed by the end of 2011 and now reduced to £4.5bn and 533 to 600 carriages, 60% hybrid and 40% electric is planned to be built in a new UK Hitachi factory at Newton Aycliffe
, County Durham
. Testing is planned to start in 2015, and trains enter service on the Great Western main line from 2016 in 8-carriage or 5-carriage sets. By December 2018 trains are planned to be running on the East Coast main line in 9-carriage or 5-carriage sets, including services from London Kings Cross to Cambridge.
Department for Transport
In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are not devolved...
(DfT) in the United Kingdom to procure new trains to replace the InterCity 125
InterCity 125
The InterCity 125 was the brand name of British Rail's High Speed Train fleet. The InterCity 125 train is made up of two power cars, one at each end of a fixed formation of Mark 3 carriages, and is capable of , making the train the fastest diesel-powered locomotive in regular service in the...
fleet on the East Coast Main Line
East Coast Main Line
The East Coast Main Line is a long electrified high-speed railway link between London, Peterborough, Doncaster, Wakefield, Leeds, York, Darlington, Newcastle and Edinburgh...
and Great Western Main Line
Great Western Main Line
The Great Western Main Line is a main line railway in Great Britain that runs westwards from London Paddington station to the west of England and South Wales. The core Great Western Main Line runs from London Paddington to Temple Meads railway station in Bristol. A major branch of the Great...
, as well as replacing other trainsets on long distance services from London to places including Cambridge, Oxford, Hull and Weston-super-Mare.
On 12 February 2009, the DfT announced that Agility Trains
Agility Trains
Agility Trains is consortium of Hitachi, John Laing, and Barclays Private Equity which has been awarded a contract to design, manufacture, and maintain a fleet of long-distance trains to replace Britain's InterCity 125 fleet as part of the Department for Transport's Intercity Express Programme.The...
, a consortium led by 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...
, was the preferred bidder, with a train named the Hitachi Super Express.
In February 2010 it was announced the programme was suspended pending an independent report published in July 2010. A decision on the future of the programme was deferred along with decisions on the further electrification of the mainline network. In March 2011 the government confirmed its decision to proceed with Agility Trains with a changed programme. The order is expected to be placed by the end of 2011 and a manufacturing facility planned to be built in Newton Aycliffe
Newton Aycliffe
Newton Aycliffe is a town in County Durham, England. Founded in 1947 under the New Towns Act of 1946, it is the oldest new town in the north of England.-Geography:...
, County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
. Trains would enter service from 2016–2018.
Original specification
Three versions were asked for: electrically powered via 25kV AC 50 Hz overhead line, a self-powered version, and a 'bi-mode' version. These were to replace both the diesel Intercity 125InterCity 125
The InterCity 125 was the brand name of British Rail's High Speed Train fleet. The InterCity 125 train is made up of two power cars, one at each end of a fixed formation of Mark 3 carriages, and is capable of , making the train the fastest diesel-powered locomotive in regular service in the...
and electric Intercity 225
InterCity 225
The InterCity 225 is a locomotive-hauled domestic train in the United Kingdom, comprising a Class 91 electric locomotive, nine Mark 4 coaches and a Driving Van Trailer...
fleets.
The specification called for increased capacity and environmental performance over current designs, the ability to divide the train in order to serve different sub-routes, a modular design with three different variants that can be powered by electricity, diesel or both, and a design speed of 125 mph (55.9 m/s) with costings for higher maximum speeds up to 155 mph (69.3 m/s). The tender was to assume pre-series introduction on the East Coast Main Line in 2012 with series production from 2014 to 2020, and a quantity of between 500 and 2000 vehicles.
Bids would be accepted from organisations or consortia able to design, produce, finance and maintain the trains for 30 years. The specification also required 'the flexibility to operate on inter-urban and commuter routes as well as long-distance journeys'.
On 16 November 2007 the Department for Transport issued its IEP Invitation to Tender to three shortlisted entities:
- Alstom-Barclays Rail Group
- Express Rail Alliance (BombardierBombardier TransportationBombardier 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....
, SiemensSiemens AGSiemens AG is a German multinational conglomerate company headquartered in Munich, Germany. It is the largest Europe-based electronics and electrical engineering company....
, Angel TrainsAngel TrainsAngel Trains is an English Rolling Stock Operating Company created in 1994 as part of the privatisation of British Rail. It was one of three ROSCOs...
and Babcock & Brown) - Hitachi
After 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...
withdrew from the bidding in February 2008, Barclays Private Equity
Barclays Private Equity
Barclays Private Equity is the Private Equity division of Barclays Capital, the Investment Banking arm of Barclays plc. BPE have seven offices across four countries. Started in 1982 they have invested in over 350 businesses including Admiral Group and Dial-a-Phone. Typically €500m is invested per...
re-entered the project on 26 June 2008, four days before the end of the bidding process, as a partner of Hitachi and John Laing, in Agility Trains Ltd.
On 12 February 2009, the Government announced that Agility Trains was the preferred bidder for a train supply contract then valued at £7.5bn. The DfT was accused of 'spin
Spin (public relations)
In public relations, spin is a form of propaganda, achieved through providing an interpretation of an event or campaign to persuade public opinion in favor or against a certain organization or public figure...
' in its handling of this announcement and Hitachi's manufacturing plans attracted concern for reasons such as balance of payments
Balance of payments
Balance of payments accounts are an accounting record of all monetary transactions between a country and the rest of the world.These transactions include payments for the country's exports and imports of goods, services, financial capital, and financial transfers...
issues, the Japanese domestic railway market being largely closed to foreign entrants, and the extent to which jobs would be safeguarded or created in the UK.
Agility Trains
The train specification offered by Agility Trains, to be built by Hitachi has been given the name "Hitachi Super Express" or "Super Express Train". The original design was to have been delivered in various types of 5- and 10-car unit. Agility Trains mentioned at least six types, including:- Type 1 - a 10-car diesel multiple unitDiesel multiple unitA diesel multiple unit or DMU is a multiple unit train consisting of multiple carriages powered by one or more on-board diesel engines. They may also be referred to as a railcar or railmotor, depending on country.-Design:...
, divided into several sub-types:- Type 1A - intercity
- Type 1B - interurban
- Type 2 - a 10-car intercity bi-mode (electro-dieselElectro-diesel locomotiveAn Electro-diesel locomotive is powered either from an electricity supply or by using the onboard diesel engine...
) unit, with an electric power car at one end and a diesel power car at the other - Type 3 - a 5-car electric multiple unitElectric multiple unitAn electric multiple unit or EMU is a multiple unit train consisting of self-propelled carriages, using electricity as the motive power. An EMU requires no separate locomotive, as electric traction motors are incorporated within one or a number of the carriages...
intended for commuter services - Type 4 - a 5-car bi-mode for commuter services
- Type 5 - a 10-car intercity EMU.
Subsequently, Agility's website was modified to say "The Super Express Train can operate in any formation from 5 car to 12 car sets". Potential IEP formations of 10, 9, 8, 6, 5 and 4 passenger carriages were mentioned in Sir Andrew Foster's review of the programme. The end cars in a unit would have contained either transformer
Transformer
A transformer is a device that transfers electrical energy from one circuit to another through inductively coupled conductors—the transformer's coils. A varying current in the first or primary winding creates a varying magnetic flux in the transformer's core and thus a varying magnetic field...
and rectifier
Rectifier
A rectifier is an electrical device that converts alternating current , which periodically reverses direction, to direct current , which flows in only one direction. The process is known as rectification...
, or hybrid electrical generation apparatus and rectifier, depending on version, but would not have powered axles. At least half the axles on the intermediate carriages would have been motored, receiving energy from the end cars via a power bus. The self-powered and bi-mode units could have been of the hybrid train type, as trialled on a British Rail Class 43 locomotive and trailer combination (see Class 43 hybrid trial). Carriages 26 metres long and 2.7 metres wide were planned, making them longer and narrower than previous British passenger rolling stock.
Electrification
The proportions of traction types ordered would depend on decisions regarding further electrification. In late 2007, Network RailNetwork Rail
Network Rail is the government-created owner and operator of most of the rail infrastructure in Great Britain .; it is not responsible for railway infrastructure in Northern Ireland...
suggested that the DfT should abandon the diesel version of the IEP as emissions regulations and the minimal demand for diesel-powered high-speed trains abroad made it cheaper to electrify lines and operate electric trains than to buy new diesel trains. In January 2009, Secretary of State for Transport
Secretary of State for Transport
The Secretary of State for Transport is the member of the cabinet responsible for the British Department for Transport. The role has had a high turnover as new appointments are blamed for the failures of decades of their predecessors...
Geoff Hoon
Geoff Hoon
Geoffrey "Geoff" William Hoon is a British politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Ashfield from 1992 to 2010...
stated that before finalising procurement plans he would need to consider electrification proposals from Network Rail in terms of cost, financing and benefit. In June 2009 Network Rail published a draft Electrification Strategy recommending electrification of the Midland Main Line
Midland Main Line
The Midland Main Line is a major railway route in the United Kingdom, part of the British railway system.The present-day line links London St...
and Great Western Main Line
Great Western Main Line
The Great Western Main Line is a main line railway in Great Britain that runs westwards from London Paddington station to the west of England and South Wales. The core Great Western Main Line runs from London Paddington to Temple Meads railway station in Bristol. A major branch of the Great...
through to Oxford
Oxford
The city of Oxford is the county town of Oxfordshire, England. The city, made prominent by its medieval university, has a population of just under 165,000, with 153,900 living within the district boundary. It lies about 50 miles north-west of London. The rivers Cherwell and Thames run through...
and Swansea
Swansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
, followed by some cross-country routes and the Reading to Plymouth Line
Reading to Plymouth Line
Reading to Plymouth line may refer to:*Reading to Taunton line*Bristol to Exeter line*Exeter to Plymouth line...
. On 23 July 2009 the DfT presented plans to electrify the Great Western Main Line from London to Bristol and from Swindon to Swansea. After the Comprehensive Spending Review in October 2010 it was announced the lines from London to Didcot, Oxford and Newbury would be electrified in the following six years.
On 1 March 2011 the extension from Didcot to Swindon, Bristol and Cardiff was announced.
Review
On 26 February 2010 Transport Secretary Andrew AdonisAndrew Adonis, Baron Adonis
Andrew Adonis, Baron Adonis is a British academic, journalist, Labour Party politician and Life Peer, who was Secretary of State for Transport between 2009-2010....
announced that contract negotiations could not be completed before the 2010 United Kingdom general election, and a value for money review was to be carried out. Network Rail
Network Rail
Network Rail is the government-created owner and operator of most of the rail infrastructure in Great Britain .; it is not responsible for railway infrastructure in Northern Ireland...
's commitment to electrify the main line between London and Bristol meant that the original assumptions used when formulating the procurement plan had changed; furthermore, passenger transport figure increases had not met expectations. Lord Adonis also blamed lack of financial support from the City
City of London
The City of London is a small area within Greater London, England. It is the historic core of London around which the modern conurbation grew and has held city status since time immemorial. The City’s boundaries have remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, and it is now only a tiny part of...
. Additionally a planned second phase, to introduce new trains to the specifications in the plan on the West Coast Main Line
West Coast Main Line
The West Coast Main Line is the busiest mixed-traffic railway route in Britain, being the country's most important rail backbone in terms of population served. Fast, long-distance inter-city passenger services are provided between London, the West Midlands, the North West, North Wales and the...
, was cancelled. Opposition
Loyal opposition
In parliamentary systems of government, the term loyal opposition is applied to the opposition parties in the legislature to indicate that the non-governing parties may oppose the actions of the sitting cabinet typically comprising parliamentarians from the party with the most seats in the elected...
politicians, industry commentators and the Association of Train Operating Companies
Association of Train Operating Companies
The Association of Train Operating Companies is a body which represents 24 train operating companies that provide passenger railway services on the privatised British railway system. It owns the National Rail brand. The Association is an unincorporated association owned by its members...
were critical of aspects of the scheme, particularly the micromanagement of the proposed trains' specifications, and lack of input from potential operators. Also, the Department for Transport's targets for energy consumption were reported to have been considered impracticable.
In July 2010 the report on the programme by Sir Andrew Foster was published, and the decision on whether to proceed with the programme deferred until after the Spending Review in October 2010 while alternatives were assessed. Other options examined in the report included combinations of: using existing carriages propelled by high-powered electric locomotives, class 377
British Rail Class 377
The Class 377 Electrostar is an electric multiple unit type built by Bombardier Transportation at their Derby Works, from 2001 to present. The Electrostar family, which also includes Classes 357, 375, 376, 378, and 379, is the most numerous type of EMU built in the post-privatisation period of...
, or re-engineered class 319
British Rail Class 319
The British Rail Class 319 dual-voltage electric multiple units were built by BREL York in two batches in 1987–88 and 1990. The trains were introduced for new north-south cross-London services from Bedford to Brighton, and since privatisation these services have been operated by Thameslink and...
or 365
British Rail Class 365
The British Rail Class 365 "Networker Express" are dual-voltage 25 kV AC and 750 V DC) electric multiple units built by ABB at York from 1994 to 1995. These were the last units to be built at the York factory before it closed...
commuter trains on some sections to compensate for demand, the use of class 180
British Rail Class 180
The Class 180 is a type of British diesel multiple unit train built by Alstom between 2000 and 2001 for use on then-new express services by First Great Western . They were built at Washwood Heath in Birmingham and are part of the Coradia 1000 family along with the Class 175. FGW stopped using the...
diesel trains on some non-electrified routes, or refurbished Intercity 125s, as well as infill electrification.
On 25 November 2010 the Secretary of State for Transport
Secretary of State for Transport
The Secretary of State for Transport is the member of the cabinet responsible for the British Department for Transport. The role has had a high turnover as new appointments are blamed for the failures of decades of their predecessors...
(Philip Hammond
Philip Hammond
Philip Hammond MP is a British Conservative Party politician. He is the current Defence Secretary in the Coalition government led by David Cameron, having succeeded Liam Fox on 14 October 2011...
) announced that a final decision on the Intercity Express Programme would be deferred to 2011 along with decisions on further electrification of the rail system. Two options for the non-electrified sections were being considered: coupling of an all-electric train to a diesel locomotive, or Agility Trains' proposal of electric trains with additional underfloor engines. On 1 March 2011 the government announced it was to continue with the programme with Agility Trains as the preferred bidder together with plans to electrify the Great Western Main Line
Great Western Main Line
The Great Western Main Line is a main line railway in Great Britain that runs westwards from London Paddington station to the west of England and South Wales. The core Great Western Main Line runs from London Paddington to Temple Meads railway station in Bristol. A major branch of the Great...
as far as Cardiff,. The order, expected to be placed by the end of 2011 and now reduced to £4.5bn and 533 to 600 carriages, 60% hybrid and 40% electric is planned to be built in a new UK Hitachi factory at Newton Aycliffe
Newton Aycliffe
Newton Aycliffe is a town in County Durham, England. Founded in 1947 under the New Towns Act of 1946, it is the oldest new town in the north of England.-Geography:...
, County Durham
County Durham
County Durham is a ceremonial county and unitary district in north east England. The county town is Durham. The largest settlement in the ceremonial county is the town of Darlington...
. Testing is planned to start in 2015, and trains enter service on the Great Western main line from 2016 in 8-carriage or 5-carriage sets. By December 2018 trains are planned to be running on the East Coast main line in 9-carriage or 5-carriage sets, including services from London Kings Cross to Cambridge.
See also
- 21st Century upgrade of the Great Western Main Line21st Century upgrade of the Great Western Main LineNetwork Rail plans to spend £5 billion on modernising the Great Western and its South Wales branch plus other associated lines like the North Cotswolds which was completed in 2011...
- High Speed 2High Speed 2High Speed 2 is a proposed high-speed railway between London and the Midlands, the North of England, and potentially at a later stage the central belt of Scotland. The project is being developed by High Speed Two Ltd, a company established by the British government...
- project to build a new high speed rail line connecting London with the Midlands and North of England.