Alstom delivers system infrastructure for the final section
of the high-speed line between Paris and London

Thanks to this new section, which will enter service on 14
November, journeys between Paris and London will take 2 hours
15 minutes, instead of the 2 hours 35 minutes they take today,
and St Pancras station will become the arrival point for all
Eurostar trains.


Eurostar services have been sharing the section between
Ebbsfleet and Londons Waterloo station with suburban
trains. From 14 November, the new section of the line will be
reserved exclusively for high-speed trains: at first, Eurostar
and as of 2009, high-speed regional trains.



The work involved the installation of 40 kilometres of double
track, half of which is in tunnels, the overhead lines,
management of railway access on behalf of other contractors and
system integration tests. It also included the management of
the overall commissioning of these integrated systems.
Construction of the 20 kilometres of single-track tunnel
represented a technological challenge, given that most of the
underground track is located beneath urban areas. The tracks
have therefore been embedded in concrete and the sleepers have
been coated in rubber and elastomer®, so as to minimise
vibration.



The work represents Alstoms first project to design,
build and integrate the infrastructures and independent systems
on a high-speed line. The company has since won two further
major infrastructure projects in 2007: the electrification of
the high-speed Shi-Tai line in China, and the equipping of the
urban transport network of Istanbul, Turkey.

About Alstom Transport

A promoter of sustainable mobility, Alstom Transport develops
and markets the most complete range of systems, equipment and
service in the railway market. With a market share of 18% and
sales of 5.3 billion euros, the company is no. 1 in the high
and very high speed train sector and ranks second worldwide in
the urban transport market, regional trains, signalling,
infrastructure equipment and all associated services.



The growing complexity of technical solutions and
infrastructure projects is leading increasing numbers of
customers to demand complete solutions. Present in over 60
countries, with 26,000 employees, Alstom Transports
strength lies in its ability to manage entire transport
systems.


Press contact:


Cécile Dodat


Tél. : + 33 1 41 66 91 48 / +33 6 72 59 83 70


cecile.dodat@transport.alstom.com