Adtranz Wins Deal

One of the newly privatised train operating companies in UK last week awarded a provisional $220 million contract for 44 new air-conditioned trains to Adtranz (ABB Daimler-Benz).This is the first significant order for new British-built rolling stock since the break-up of the national network. The trains will be built at the Swiss-German railway manufacturer's works at Derby in the English Midlands. The contract, expected to be confirmed this month, awakened hopes among railway manufacturers that the momentum of new orders is gaining place. The new rail companies have announced plans for between 1.5 and 2 billion pounds of new trains. Adtranz was awarded a £34 million contract for four three-car trains by Chiltern Railways last September, the industry's first UK order for nearly three years.