Class 465 train
In November, Hitachi Rail Europe (HRE) proudly announced that the traction packages which were updated on the UK's Class 465 trains reached a stunning 1 million miles of fault-free running – a great achievement compared to the previous equipments' statistic of 38,000 miles per incident.
Back in March, HRE started to update the traction packages of a fleet of Class 465 trains which ran on the Southeastern network. Traction packages comprise all the technology that propels the train and can be the cause for repeated failure. Hitachi won the contract to update this equipment on the Class 465 trains and is using particularly reliable technology, based on traction packages used on Metro trains in Japan and China. These feature regenerative braking where energy can be fed back into the electricity system during braking. With upto 25% energy savings, this is a very environmentally-friendly technology.
Following successful testing in 2008, the first modified unit was delivered back to Southeastern on schedule in March. So far 60 units out of a total of 97 have been modified at Hitachi's Ashford facility and the modification of the full fleet is progressing to schedule, with the last train due to be delivered on time in April 2010. The on-time delivery, great reliability record and added energy savings has already made other train leasing companies approach HRE to discuss upgrades to more UK trains.
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