Rubens Barrichello Makes a Wembley Pit Stop!

LONDON - With Photos

Formula 1 driver Rubens Barrichello made a pit stop with a difference today. He was onboard a Virgin Pendolino train to launch Alstom’s new pit stop approach to train maintenance at Wembley depot in North London.

Train maker and maintainer Alstom has adopted the successful pit stop maintenance system for the fleet of 52 nine-coach Pendolino tilting trains.

Following arrival of the train into the depot, Rubens met some of the Alstom staff at their pit stop stations. Earlier he had met Virgin Trains staff at London’s Euston station.

Alstom’s onboard Traintracer telemetry, fitted to the trains ensures that engineers have real time information on the performance of all on train systems. All materials needed for the routine maintenance of the trains each night are thus available at exactly the right location within the depot.

Paul Robinson, Managing Director of Alstom Transport UK said “As with Formula 1 cars, downtime of the Pendolino trains for maintenance is at a premium with the clock ticking until they are back on the track. In adopting a Pit Stop regime, Alstom continues to enhance the behind the scenes operations to help Virgin deliver a world class intercity service.”

Tony Collins, Virgin Trains Chief Executive said: “Success in Formula 1 is all about teamwork, and that is the basis for the relationship between Virgin Trains and Alstom. We are delighted with the performance of the train, which my drivers tell me are a pleasure to drive. And in the future if Rubens wants to swap his high-performance car for a high-performance train then he would be welcomed at Team Pendolino.”

www.transport.alstom.com

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Source: Virgin Trains

For further information please contact: Virgin Trains Press Desk on +44(0)845-000-3333 or visit virgintrainsmediaroom.com or Alstom Transport on +44(0)7801-776884