ALSTOM and Northern sign class 323 maintenance
contract

ALSTOM has been providing maintenance services for the fleet
at its Traincare Centre in Longsight, Manchester since 1994,
but only on a temporary basis to Northern since the start of
their new franchise in December 2004. Under the new contract,
ALSTOM will provide total fleet management of the Class 323s,
taking complete ownership of the fleet at the Traincare Centre
in order to significantly improve their reliability and
availability. This approach is based on the tools and
techniques already successfully applied to the Class 390
Pendolino trains.

Tony Mercado, ALSTOMs customer director, West Coast Main
Line, told Northern's engineering director, Ruud Haket:
I am delighted that Northern has renewed its confidence in
ALSTOM after two years of successful cooperation. As you know
from the recent transformation of our West Coast operations,
particularly at Longsight, we have top-class facilities and
staff dedicated to delivering our commitment to our customers.
We look forward to continuing to support Northern in delivering
your commitment to your passengers.

Ruud Haket, Engineering Director, Northern, said: We are
keen to develop partnership approaches for the successful
maintenance of our trains, particularly our EMU fleets. By
ensuring that suppliers and maintainers work together with
Rolling Stock Leasing Companies and Northern we well provide
our passengers with a safe and comfortable travelling
experience.

"We look forward to working with ALSTOM for many years to come
and wish them success for the future."

Notes for editors:

The contract covers level 1 to 4 maintenance (I think it is
worth explaining what is level 1, 2, 3 & 4) until September
2011 with a possible 2-year extension. There is also an option
for level 5 maintenance (explain level 5) and further work
arising throughout the contract timeframe. ALSTOM also provides
services to Northern for its fleets of diesel multiple units at
Manchester and Liverpool Traincare Centres.

Press contacts:

ALSTOM Transport:
Helen Connolly 

Tel: + 44 (0) 1788 545602

helen.connolly@transport.alstom.com

Northern:
Carolyn Watson

Tel: +44 (0) 1904 522578

carolyn.watson@northernrail.org