NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ - Heidenheim, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany, 2014/02/26 - With the Intercity Express Program (IEP) Britain is modernizing part of its train fleet by 2017. 122 high-speed trains will systematically replace older trains. The new electric or bi-mode trains are fitted with Voith gear units - Voith.com. FSE: VO2A

The program is one of the most prestigious high-speed projects in Europe. 122 new trains will run on both electrified and non-electrified routes at speeds of 200 km/h. All of the driven units are fitted with the single-stage Voith SE-369 gear unit in aluminum design.

Voith has numerous references worldwide for light-weight gear units with aluminum housings and operates two service workshops in the United Kingdom. Moreover, the vehicle manufacturer Hitachi Rail Europe has confirmed that the Voith gear production in Heidenheim meets the exceptionally high quality standards the company requires.

The aluminum gear unit, which is one third lighter than the equivalent standard steel casting version is fitted with a torque reaction rod at the bogie. Weight advantage and quiet running were explicitly required by the vehicle manufacturer and will enhance passenger comfort from 2017. This is the year when the first 57 trains will be delivered to the operator on the Great Western Main Line. In the following year, another 35 trains will be handed over to the operator on the East Coast Main Line.

Tests will commence in early 2014. For this purpose Voith will be delivering 44 prototype gear units to Hitachi in Japan in 2014. Between 2015 and 2017, Voith will deliver more than 800 gear units to Hitachi Rail Europe’s chosen wheelset manufacturer in the UK.

Voith Turbo, a Group Division of Voith GmbH, is a specialist for intelligent drive solutions. Customers from highly diverse industries such as oil and gas, energy, mining and metal processing, ship technology, rail and commercial vehicles rely on advanced technologies from Voith Turbo.

Voith (voith.com) sets standards in the markets energy, oil & gas, paper, raw materials and transportation & automotive. Founded in 1867, Voith employs almost 43 000 people, generates €5.7 billion in sales, operates in about 50 countries around the world and is today one of the biggest family-owned companies in Europe.

Agency / Source: Voith GmbH

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