Network Rail places order for £35m electrification train

According to Network Rail, the 23-vehicle train will provide a complete electrification service as it moves along sections of track, completing foundations and stanchions to installing and testing the overhead line equipment (OLE).

The system has been under development for the last three years and will make its railway debut on the Great Western main line in autumn 2013.

The High Output Plant System, also known as a factory train, will work overnight, electrifying an average of 1.6km of track per night.

Windhoff Bahn- und Anlagentechnik, a supplier of specialist rail maintenance and improvement equipment, will custom build the train to a design that meets the performance specification developed by Network Rail engineers.

Simon Kirby, Network Rail’s managing director for investment projects, said: ‘Electrification provides a faster, more reliable, greener and economic railway and is a key part of our plans to improve the network.

‘The electrification train is an innovative piece of equipment that will deliver benefits to millions of passengers across the country.’