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Alstom Locomotives for Veolia Cargo: contract fulfilled
30 June 2009
On 30 June, teams from Alstom Transport and Veolia Cargo met in Belfort (France) for delivery of the 31st Prima electric locomotive (3U15). Alstom will thus be fulfilling the contract entered into with private freight operator Veolia Cargo in 2005, after the exercise of all options, for the supply of 31 locomotives.
As well as actually supplying the locomotives, Alstom will be responsible for all preventive and corrective maintenance, including upkeep on the French and German onboard security systems, which Alstom is authorized to carry out in both countries.
Set to leave Alstom's Belfort manufacturing unit in early July, this 31st locomotive will be brought into service between France and Germany. The locomotives have been specially designed for use on both rail networks, and as such are fitted with all necessary equipment, including a tri-current power supply system and safety systems that meet both German and French standards.
Alstom maintenance: rapid delivery at local level
Alstom is committed to ensuring that the equipment it manufactures for its clients is reliable and available in accordance with its contractual obligations. The availability rate for Veolia Cargo's fleet of Prima 3U15 locomotives currently stands at 98%, a rate made possible through the expertise, skills and flexibility of Alstom's operational teams, which are ready to provide service 24/7 throughout France and Germany.
Alstom has excellent network coverage, including its own maintenance and spare-parts sites in Belfort and Valenciennes plus a network of partner companies ready and able to work on its locomotives regardless of where they might be. In a bid to provide the speediest service possible, a flying maintenance system has been set up, with mobile maintenance teams that can be deployed to work directly on units on the line. A bilingual 24-hour-a-day telephone support service has been set up to help drivers carry out basic repairs themselves or call out a mobile team if required.
Through Alstom's TrainTracer technology, both maintenance teams and operators have remote access to real-time information regarding a locomotive's status and geographical position, along with a diagnostic report. This helps to optimize fleet management and availability while keeping costs down. The result is that fleet downtime has been reduced by nearly 30%.
Tried-and-tested maintenance procedures
Alston has more than 15 years of solid experience in maintenance provision. Every day, its 5,500 staff members are responsible for ensuring that more than 4,500 pieces of rail equipment throughout the world – including 800 locomotives – remain reliable, available and safe.
Alstom can supply spare parts, take over complete maintenance responsibility and provide teams of experts and technicians. All this adds up to a wide range of maintenance solutions adapted to each client’s specific requirements, regardless of its equipment’s original manufacturer.
About Alstom Transport
With a focus on sustainable transport, Alstom Transport develops and offers the most complete range of systems, equipment and services on the rail market. Alstom Transport is capable of managing an entire transport system, from rolling stock to signalling and infrastructure, as well as offering turnkey solutions. In 2008-2009, Alstom Transport had turnover of €5.7 billion, and its orders had increased by 9% over the previous financial year. Alstom Transport has a presence in more than 60 countries and 27,000 employees.
Press contacts:
Laurent Gerbet
Tel.: +33 (0)1 57 06 92 83
laurent.gerbet@transport.alstom.com
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