FIRST BRITISH PENDOLINOS START TEST RUNNING

Testing currently taking place is reported of the first of two prototype high-speed tilting trains to be introduced by Virgin Trains on the West Coast Main Line in 2002. The 225 km/hr trains will operate on the UK's busiest rail corridor linking London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow. Being supplied and maintained by Alstom, the trains are equipped with an electric tilting system originally developed by Fiat SIG, a subsidiary of Fiat Ferroviaria, which was taken over by Alstom in 2000, and now known as Alstom Ferroviaria. Each production train will feature six powered cars using Alstom's Onix electric traction package. Each train set will have a central trailer car and passenger cars at each end. Features of the Pendolino include active lateral suspension, a diagnostic train management system, air-conditioned coaches and audio/visual passenger information systems.