The project achieves its first milestone and now advances at full speed towards the manufacture of the vehicles.
The final design of the new X’Ttrapolis MEGA commuter train to be delivered by Gibela to PRASA was unveiled during Africa Rail, in the presence of the Minister of Transport, Ms Dipuo Peters and PRASA Group CEO, Mr Lucky Montana. Among the features of the train which were finalized were its interior and exterior outlines.
Since the contract for the supply of 600 trains came into force, PRASA and Gibela have finalized the so-called “Design Review” and it will now be possible to commence with the manufacturing phase.
“The project is running at full speed and we have successfully completed the first important milestone,” said PRASA Group CEO Mr Lucky Montana.
“The PRASA and Gibela project teams worked together with a very positive spirit of collaboration. Thanks to Alstom’s advanced technology the review was done quickly and efficiently,” explained Gibela CEO Marc Granger.
Alstom is equipped with a 3D “virtual reality” room which allows the showcasing and review of all the features and configurations of the train in real scale 3D imagery. Engineers can examine the train details or view specific parts in their actual size and can better judge how components will fit into the final product in the context of the design calculations.
Alstom Design & Styling Department worked in unison with PRASA’s designers to achieve the final look of the train. “In the case of PRASA, the design of the train is inspired by South Africa’s rapid advancement towards increased modernity and technological progress.” explained Alstom Design & Styling Director, Mr Xavier Allard.
Alongside this milestone, the first group of Gibela’s newly hired South African engineers is being trained, over an 18-month period, in train technology in various Alstom facilities in Europe. In Lapa, Brazil, preparatory work has begun in the Alstom plant where the first 20 trains will be manufactured and where the assembly of the first vehicle will start in the coming weeks.
Press Release of Alstom,
4 July 2014
