Norway: The decision was driven by significant delays, rendering the fleet modernisation programme unfeasible.
The contract, signed in July 2021 with the state operator Norske tog, involved the upgrade of 36 four-car Class 72 trains, originally manufactured between 2002 and 2006 by Italian company AnsaldoBreda (acquired by Hitachi Rail in 2015). The contract was valued at €70 mln.
Originally, all trains were scheduled for delivery by the end of this year. However, as of now, only two trainsets have been refurbished at Alstom’s facility in Motala, Sweden. The upgrade works included interior modernisation, a comprehensive overhaul of the traction equipment, and the installation of new doors and auxiliary batteries.
Norske tog will now organise further life-extension works on the trains independently. The contract termination has not affected another Alstom order for the delivery of 55 Coradia Nordic trains for the operator.
