the four uk train factories are:
Alstom Derby
Siemens Goole
Hitachi Newton Aycliffe
Caf Newport
Forgot about CAF, thanks!
Of those, who have a sufficient design to fulfil the contract requirements, and could physically manufacture them?
- CAF hasn't got a metro-type EMU design (class 331 is more of an intercity design)
- Siemens doesn't manufacture Desiro City's anymore
- Whilst they have a sufficient design (class 701), Alstom is limited on manufacturing capacity due to HS2 (unless they could be manufactured in parallel), not to mention the software problems
- Hitachi doesn't have an "already manufactured, existing" design (a contract requirement)
Seems like we need someone to restart manufacture/add to existing manufacturing capacity, or get Alstom to fix their problems!