Travelling safely through the rush hour
Altro Transflor Momentum
The Thameslink route in London is one of the largest transport infrastructure projects in the UK. It crosses the city from north to south, transporting around 40 million passengers each year across a route of 225 km. Siemens has developed the trains that deliver this service; a total of 1,140 carriages as of 2016.
Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport said: “A world-class railway network needs world-class trains, and it’s fantastic to see the spacious and energy-efficient. As part of our long-term economic plan, we are investing record amounts in transforming the rail network, providing more seats, better connections and improved journeys. The Thameslink Programme is central to this. These trains have provided real benefits to passengers since they come into operation.”
During the rush hour trains run every two-three minutes; that’s 24 trains per hour in each direction. Due to the high number of passengers on this route, the flooring in the carriages must meet specific requirements. This led Siemens to choose Altro Transflor Momentum, a slip-resistant, light-weight, durable solution that provides fire, smoke and toxicity compliance to help keep passengers safe. 50,000 square metres was used by Siemens to complete the trains over a two-year period.
At 2.5mm thick, Altro Transflor Momentum provides lasting durability for a highly trafficked area, minimising repair and replacement costs. Safe passage is particularly important during a packed rush hour, especially if also treated to some traditional British weather! With slip resistant materials throughout, Altro Transflor Momentum maintains its slip resistance across its service life, ensuring that a slip, trip or fall is a one in a million occurrence.
J. Ackermann, Development Engineer at Siemens said: “We have had good experiences working with Altro in the past. On this occasion, we wanted to improve energy efficiency and, with the lightweight design of this flooring system, Altro supported our goal. Not only this but Altro Transflor Momentum can be welded watertight, helping to ensure that the underbody is protected. This is particularly relevant in terms of the lifespan of the trains, helping us to give Thameslink added value.”
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