Hitachi win the IEP bid (so far!)
 

Hi all,

Not sure if it's been posted elsewhere (apologies if so), but I heard earlier that Hitachi have won favour with the DfT thus far with their Super Express on the IEP project.

Personally I'm very happy about that, I wanted them to win! Anyone else have any views at all?

IEP Announcement
 

THe announcement looks like great news on the surface, but for some months I've enjoyed reading Roger Ford in Modern Railways comprehensively and systematically demolish just about every aspect of the specification of this train, not only for itself but for its potential to rob thousands of more deserving schemes of desperately needed funds - even jeopardising some existing schemes.
What is frightening is the way that Ford has shown time and again not just flawed logic and crazy assumptions in the specs by DFT officials, but the sheer lack of technical understanding from the Civil Servants. THese trains have been specified down the last nut and bolt not by engineers but by civil servants in committee rooms, simply adding to an ever growing wish list with the result that these trains are so unnecessarily overspecified that there will be no export market for them - the rest of Europe build better trains for purpose without the unnecessary intervention of unqualified bureacrats.
I say this as a "suit" myself. I'm not an engineer I'm a "management consultant" so I should be on the other side but Roger Ford's articles form one of the most compelling indictments against a project that I have seen.

Obviously living near Derby I am very disapointed that the contract has not gone to Bombardier for the good of the local ecomomy. I am also very concerned that the project may not be a significant advance on the the HST in it's present form.

The HST has been a great servant to British Railways over the last 30 years and it is a very tough act to follow, probably one of the toughest ever. It is a train I have always enjoyed travelling on and prefer it to the Pendolinos and the Voyagers. I to have read Ford's article!

What does interest me is that you say that the deal is not finally done. Is there still hope that it might swing the other way?

Best wishes,

John H-T.

.Backlash against £7.5bn Hitachi contract

http://www.railnews.co.uk/news/busin...-backlash.html

However much backlash there is, will it make any difference? Has a contract been signed?

Best wishes,

John H-T.

Well AFAIK they're only preferred bidder so far. So nowt signed but it's a step in the right direction.

If the DfT don't like Hitachi's bid, though, Bombardier would have a chance then too.