Virgin Rail orders an additional 44 coaches from ALSTOM for
West Coast main line

ALSTOM was today awarded a contract for an additional 44
passenger coaches for the new Virgin West Coast tilting fleet
bringing the total number of tilting trains ordered to 53 x 9
trains. This new order has a value of 72 million euros and is
financed by Angel Trains.

Under the terms of the initial agreement, this contract
option was to be exercised by December 31st 2000. The delivery
schedule is currently under discussion.

Martyn Vaughan, Managing Director of ALSTOM Transport Ltd,
said: ' The new fleet for West Coast Mainline will undoubtedly
re-define perception of rail travel in the UK. We are delighted
with this expansion to the new fleet and proud of this
demonstration of Virgin's continuing confidence in ALSTOM
products and services.'

ALSTOM is the global specialist in energy and transport
infrastructure. The company serves the energy market through
its activities in the fields of power generation, power
transmission and distribution, power conversion and electrical
contracting and the transport market through its activities in
rail and marine. Following the full integration of the power
generation activities, ALSTOM today has annual sales in excess
of 20 billion euros and employs approximately 140,000 people in
over 70 countries.

ALSTOM Transport, with sales of over 4 billion euros and a
near 20% market share, is a leading supplier of rolling stock,
signalling, services and railway systems to the rail industry
world-wide.

Press enquiries:

Dorothée Mandonnet/Gilles Tourvieille (Tel: +33 1 47 55 20
83)

Internet.press@chq.alstom.com

Investor relations:

Heather Green (Tel: +33 1 47 55 25 78)

Investor.relations@chq.alstom.com

Internet:
http://www.wcm.alstom.com