United Kingdom, 2006-Dec-01
Siemens Transportation Systems has been named as one of the first winners of an inaugural annual 'Golden Spanners' award, for the most improved train fleet, for its Class 360 Desiro trains operated by train operating company, One.
The ceremony, which took place in London on Friday 25 November 2005, was organised by UK rail trade magazine, Modern Railways.
The awards aim to recognise rolling stock reliability improvement and promote excellence in train maintenance in the UK.
One of the six awards - 'Captain Deltic's' special award for the most improved fleet winner - was given to Siemens, One and Angel Trains for the Class 360 Desiros with a 189 per cent improvement in the miles per casualty figure over the past year. The Class 360 Desiros are manufactured and maintained by Siemens at Ilford, are operated by 'One' and owned by Angel Trains.
The award scheme is the brainchild of Modern Railways Industry & Technology Editor Roger Ford, known throughout the industry as 'Captain Deltic' and has been designed to complement the Association of Train Operating Companies National Fleet Reliability Improvement Programme (NFRIP) whose statistics determined the choice of winners.
Commenting on the significance of the award, Steve White, service director for Siemens Transportation Systems said: "We were delighted to have been given this award for the most improved fleet of trains in the UK. This is testament to the hard work and focus of the Siemens maintenance team and the support we receive from our colleagues in Germany.
'Our mission is to work with our customers to drive the levels of reliability up across each of our fleets. We are confident we will be in a position to be strong contenders for next year’s Golden Spanner awards."
James Abbott, Editor of Modern Railways added: "We are pleased to be encouraging best practice in train maintenance through the Golden Spanners Awards, as reliable trains make for a reliable railway."
About Siemens
Siemens was established in the United Kingdom 162 years ago. The company employs 20,317 people in the UK, including about 5,000 in the manufacturing sector. With annual revenues of £2.6 billion, including exports of almost £400 million, Siemens provides innovative, high-quality services and solutions to customers in a diverse range of industry sectors comprising: power, automation and control, information and communication, medical, transportation, lighting, and household.
Siemens operates through a de-centralised structure, with its headquarters in Bracknell, Berkshire. The company's structure reflects that of its parent company, Siemens AG, headquartered in Munich, Germany.
As part of Siemens in the UK, Siemens Transportation Systems employs around 800 people in the UK, providing expertise in rail systems and technology to the UK rail industry.
With expertise in delivering rail infrastructure and rolling stock projects, Siemens provides and maintains passenger trains for SouthWest Trains, Heathrow Express, One Great Eastern, Northern Trains and Silverlink and Central Trains. 51 new Siemens Trains are currently being built for First TransPennine Express. For more information on Siemens Transportation Systems please visit www.siemenstransportation.co.uk
About The Golden Spanner Award/Modern Railways
Roger Ford's comprehensive annual class-by-class coverage of NFRIP results in 2005 will be published in the January 2006 Modern Railways, along with photographs of the first 'Golden Spanners' awards lunch. For further information, call James Abbott on 01892 525339.
Ms. Deborah Risby
Head of Communications
Further information
Siemens Transportation Systems
Tel: 0121 713 4310
Ms. Alison Emery
PR & Communications Manager
Siemens Transportation Systems
Mobile 07808 82778