Helsinki-Saint-Petersburg Allegro, high speed Pendolino train, presented at Finland station in Saint-Petersburg

Press release, 7 October 2010:

On
7 October 2010, one of the four new Pendolino high speed tilting trains
designed by Alstom for Helsinki-St-Petersburg route is presented at Finland
station in St-Petersburg (Russia). The trains, ordered in 2007 by Karelian Trains, are
currently carrying out static and dynamic tests required for certification on
the Finnish and Russian networks. They will start to circulate between Helsinki and
St-Petersburg by the end of 2010.

The Helsinki-Saint-Petersburg Pendolino will shorten the
travel time between Helsinki and St-Petersburg in first phase from 5,5 hours to
3,5 hours with a final target of 3 hours, with the border control carried out
on board of the train while running. Specific technical solutions and enhanced
safety standards have been implemented to adapt to severe winter conditions.
All the bogies are thus equipped with special devices designed to reduce snow
and ice accumulation; an improved heating and air-conditioning system has also
been installed. Ride comfort, modern design and elegant solutions of the
interiors improve passengers well-being while being closer to the clients brand
strategy.

The tests are being conducted in parallel on 3 trains both in
Finland and Russia, which will enable authorization to be obtained as quickly
as possible for their operation on the railway networks. Two trains are
currently being tested in Russia, mainly on the rail lines around St-Petersburg
and on the test track at Sherbinka near Moscow. Specific tests are conducted on
key components of the train, according to the Russian norms. The third train is
currently completing final type tests in the Finnish network. Traction, braking
and signalling (under 25 kV AC) are tested at the Ilmala depot in static mode,
then on the Kerava-Lakhti line at a maximum speed of 220 kph. The fourth
trainset left Alstoms plant in Savigliano (Italy) at the end of September and
is being transferred to the Finnish Railways maintenance depot at Ilmala for
reassembly and adjustment before embarking on various phases of static, then
dynamic, tests in Finland.

Helsinki-St-Petersburg Allegro is an electric trainset with a
distributed power to operate on both 25 kV AC 50 Hz and 3 kV DC. The presence
of various independent traction units ensures a high level of reliability and
redundancy. The traction equipment, positioned under the body, includes two
transformers and four traction converters based on an IGTB most advanced
traction technologies in railway field. The improved technical solutions
adopted in the traction system, together with the use of light alloy and
composite materials made it possible to lower train weight and to reduce power
consumption, making this train the best environment-friendly solution for
intercity transport. The bogie is a true concentrate of advanced technology
while also featuring the very highest levels of operative interchangeability
and servicing ease.

The active tilting
system these trains are equipped with represents an advanced technological
solution unique in the world, making it possible to achieve a consistent
increase in speed on curves compared to conventional trains, in conditions of
full safety and comfort, and without having to make changes in the geometry and
lay-out of the existing tracks. This offers a perfect opportunity for assuring
more efficient passenger services which satisfy customer requirements whilst
enabling high-speed access to remote centers. 

Reliability of a proven
platform: Pendolino 

Helsinki-St-Petersburg Allegro trains are based on the New Pendolino
platform and constitute a further development of the Pendolino trainsets
already in operation in Finland since 1995.

In order to better respond to the requirements expressed by the market
and the customer, this high speed train is designed to operate on both Finnish
and Russian networks thanks to its double power and signalling/radio system.

The name Pendolino is used to identify the family of high-speed and
tilting-technology trains. These trains owe their name (which in Italian means
pendulum) to the variable trim mechanism enabling them to tilt when going
round a bend. The maximum tilt of 8 degrees permits a speed in the curves that
is 20-30% higher than for conventional trains, whilst assuring the greatest
safety and comfort for the passengers. Developed by Alstom, world leader in the
production of high-speed trains based on tilting technology, these trains are
built in Savigliano site (Italy). Their traction system is made in Sesto San
Giovanni near Milan (Italy). Their bogies are manufactured in Le Creusot
(France).

Alstoms Pendolino has
been a genuine success story, with over 500 million kilometres covered in
commercial service. To date, 412 Pendolino, in electric or diesel version, operate in 10 countries: Italy, Germany,
Czech Republic, Switzerland, Slovenia, United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, China,
Finland, and soon in Russia. Poland is also in
the way to buy high speed trains. As an example of this success, a Virgin Trains
Pendolino tilting train, designed, built and maintained by Alstom, has become
the first of the 52-strong fleet to clock up 2.4 million kilometres. And in May
2010, Alstom opened state-of-the-art train maintenance facility in Liverpool,
U.K. for the West Coast Main Line Pendolino. With a market share of 95% in the world and in
Europe (this figure covers tilting high-speed train market share only), Alstom is the
indisputable leader in the tilting electric trains sector.

About Alstom Transport 

A promoter of sustainable
mobility, Alstom Transport develops and markets the most complete range of
systems, equipment and services in the railway sector. Alstom Transport manages entire transport systems,
taking in rolling stock, signalling and infrastructure, and offers turnkey
solutions. Alstom Transport recorded sales of 5.7 billion euros in the fiscal
year 2008-2009 and an increase in orders of 9% compared to the previous year.
Alstom Transport is present in over 60 countries and employs some 27,000
people.

Press
contacts:

Laurent Gerbet, Press Manager - Tel. +
33 1 57 06 92 83

laurent.gerbet@transport.alstom.com 

Isabelle Tourancheau, External Communications Manager CIS - Tel. + 33
1 57 06 19 81 isabelle.tourancheau@transport.alstom.com  

Anna Lihr, External Communications Manager Nordic Countries
- Tel. +46 87236581 anna.lihr@transport.alstom.com 

Internet

www.transport.alstom.com

Karelian Trains is a joint venture between Russian
Railways (RZD) and Finnish Railways (VR)