ALSTOM to supply electrical equipment for Dutch railways'
SGM-III contract

file_31999_119848.jpg

The ALSTOM facilities in Ridderkerk, near Rotterdam, formerly
known as Traxis is handling this contract. The SGM-III contract
is a major modernization program to improve passenger comfort,
reliability and maintainability of sixty 3-car suburban units.
The three-car units will be supplied with a new interior, one
extra vestibule in each unit and a new customer information
system. The ALSTOM Unit in Ridderkerk will supply each renovated
train with two 1500 VDC chopper installations and two static
converters.

The chopper installation replaces the
resistor-controlled drive. Two prototypes, delivered in 1996,
have already proved successful. 'No failure has yet occurred on
either one of the prototypes. This system has an energy reduction
of over 30 %, is maintenance- free and increases the availability
of our trains,' said Mr. Van Dongen, Director of Rolling Stock
and Infrastructure Planning of Dutch Railways.

By replacing only the necessary components, and re-using
others such as switches, fans and resistors, the expenses for the
chopper installation are limited.

The first delivery of a refurbished trainset to
Dutch Railways is scheduled for April 2003. Because of Dutch
Railways' limited capacity, only four trains can be out of
service at the same time. The last completely refurbished SGM-III
trains will be back on track at the beginning of 2006 and are
programmed to remain in service for at least another fifteen
years.

Editor's notes
ALSTOM's Unit in Ridderkerk, near Rotterdam, (formerly
TRAXIS and before that Holec Ridderkerk) designs and manufactures
electric propulsion and electronic control systems for trains,
metros and trams. ALSTOM acquired this Dutch company in April
2000 from the ROYAL BEGEMANN GROUP, which has held it since
1985.

This site's propulsion systems are now used on
70% of the Netherlands' trains and trams. Prior to the company's
acquisition, it supplied ALSTOM with components for the THALYS
high speed train, which operates across northern France, Belgium
and the Netherlands.

With more than 35 product lines and a presence in over 60
countries, ALSTOM's Transport Sector offers cutting-edge
products and services to four distinct types of customers:
urban transit authorities and operators; intercity passenger
rail operators and rolling stock owners; rail freight
operators; and intercity railway infrastructure owners.
ALSTOM's Transport Sector, with 4.4  billion euros in
sales in 2001, is among the world's leading suppliers to the
railway industry.

Press contact:
Helen Connolly

Tel. +33 (0)1 41 66 91 43

helen.connolly@transport.alstom.com