ALSTOM receives double deck train car order from the
Belgian railways

The Board of the SNCB (Société Nationale des
Chemins de Fer Belges) has just placed an order for 35 sets of
6 Double Deck passenger train cars with a consortium composed
of ALSTOM and Bombardier Transport. This 198 million euro order
will be shared equally between these two consortium
members.

The 6-car-sets will be configured in pairs to form
locomotive-drawn-trains to boost the existing inter-city
services out of Brussels, and will have a maximum speed of 220
km/h.

The cars are of the latest design, fully air-conditioned and
equipped with a passenger information system. More
specifically, the car design allows swift passenger interchange
over a range of different station platform heights. Special
attention has been given to achieve a high level of noise
abatement, increased space for stowing baggage, and enhanced
access for disabled passengers.

The first car-set will be delivered in 22 months, subsequent
deliveries will run at 8 cars per month.

This order follows on from the French SNCF order earlier
this month for 12 TGV Double Deck trainsets. The Double Deck
configuration allows high passenger carrying demand to be
optimised with train reliability, safety and comfort. ALSTOM is
world leader in the design and manufacture of Double Deck cars
and trainsets.