Alstom and Virgin Trains Launch Co-branded "Alstom Pendolino", a Train With a Mission

By Alstom Transport, PRNE
Wednesday, September 15, 2010

LONDON, September 16, 2010 - Alstom and Virgin Trains have unveiled a new look for one of the
fifty-two high-speed tilting Pendolino trains serving the West Coast Main
Line.

To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:

multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/alstom/44217/

The train, renamed "Alstom Pendolino" by Virgin Trains CEO Tony Collins
during a ceremony at Euston station, London, now displays a specially
designed Alstom branding alongside that of Virgin. This is in recognition of
the successful partnership between the two companies, established in 1999,
which underpins the delivery of a world class intercity service. The fleet,
built and maintained by Alstom, is one of the most intensively used in the
world, with 47 trains in service every day, covering over 16.5 million miles
per year.

Alstom has chosen the newly branded train for a special mission in a
further illustration of cross-industry partnership aimed at bringing benefits
to passengers. "Alstom Pendolino" will be used to improve system reliability
thanks to an initiative between Alstom, Virgin Trains and Network Rail. The
train is fitted with pantograph and track monitoring equipment which will
provide valuable data to support preventative maintenance of the track and
overhead line. In addition the set will be used to trial potential train
modifications that can be used to improve fleet reliability.

Tony Collins, CEO Virgin Trains, said: "Our customer service success at
Virgin Trains is heavily dependent on the relationship with our key partners.
Alstom has consistently gone beyond the call of duty to help us achieve the
performance that has attracted record customer numbers and customer
satisfaction scores. We are grateful for that support and partnership."

Paul Robinson, Managing Director, Alstom Transport UK & Ireland added: "
It is an honour to place the Alstom brand alongside that of Virgin and so
emphasize our daily contribution to the running of the flagship Pendolino
fleet. Furthermore, "Alstom Pendolino" will be instrumental in helping train
maintainer, operator and infrastructure provider target further improvements
on the West Coast Main Line".

Jo Kaye, Route Director for Network Rail said: "This is just one
demonstration of how we, as an industry, are developing new technologies to
deliver an efficient and highly reliable railway. The track data this train
will provide will prove invaluable in helping us to detect potential faults
as they develop so that we can carry out preventative maintenance and push
performance on the West Coast to ever higher levels."

Notes for editors

Alstom carries out a full service regime on the Pendolino fleet from five
Traincare Centres in London Wolverhampton, Liverpool , Manchester and Glasgow
and a fleet control centre in Birmingham As of 16 Sept 2010 the 52-strong
Pendolino fleet has covered almost 90 million miles in service Each train
averages 1100 miles per day in service In the 12 months to end August 2010
the fleet returned 62.7GWh of electricity to the grid, the equivalent of
powering 15 600 homes for a year*

* Total households in Great Britain 24.7 million in 2004. (Source:
www.statistics.gov.uk).

Typical household annual electricity consumption values are estimated
between 3300 kWh and 4600 kWh. The calculation has taken 4000 kWh as an
average.

About Alstom Transport

A promoter of sustainable mobility, Alstom Transport develops and markets
the most complete range of systems, equipment and services in the railway
sector. Alstom Transport manages entire transport systems, taking in rolling
stock, signalling and infrastructure, and offers "turnkey" solutions. Alstom
Transport recorded sales of 5.8 billion euros in the fiscal year 2009-2010.
Alstom Transport is present in over 60 countries and employs some 27,000
people.

www.alstom.com

Video:
multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/prne/alstom/44217/

Press contact: Alstom Transport UK: Helen Connolly, helen.connolly at transport.alstom.com, Tel: +44(0)1788-545602

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