Posted 29th May 2019 | 5 Comments

Bombardier Derby to build monorail trains for Egypt

THE Bombardier works in Derby has won its first foreign order for almost a decade.

The company has been named as preferred bidder to supply the trains for two new monorail lines in Egypt.

The lines will connect East Cairo with the New Administrative City and Sixth of October City with Gaza,

The total value of the order is £2.65 billion. It will comprise building 70 four-car trains in Derby, a 15+15 years Operations and Maintenance deal and constructing 54km of lines in partnership with Egyptian contractors.

Phil Hufton, who is managing director of Bombardier Transportation, conceded that building monorail trains will be a ‘new product line’ for the company, but described the deal as ‘excellent news’.

He said: ‘It will create a situation where we will probably employ about 100 people on this contract – that include apprentices as well.’

International trade secretary Liam Fox welcomed the news, saying: ‘This is a strategically important project in a growing market like Egypt, demonstrating how UK manufacturing expertise is competing and winning in global markets against tough competition.

‘The British rail industry is world class. Derby has been making trains for 180 years, and this project shows that the Derby Litchurch Lane facility remains globally competitive.’

Bombardier said the deal is ‘subject to contract and final confirmation’.

The last export order supplied by Derby was the ‘Gautrain’ about ten years ago. This was a variation of the Electrostar model for service in South Africa on the line to Johannesburg Airport.

Reader Comments:

Views expressed in submitted comments are that of the author, and not necessarily shared by Railnews.

  • Andrew Gwilt, Benfleet Essex

    What about bringing back the Monorail that once served Merry Hill shopping centre in Brierley Hill near Dudley, West Midlands that was built and first opened and operated in 1991 but it closed in 1996 which only lasted for 4 years.

  • Michael Breslin, Liverpool

    Apparently there is also a monorail at Chester Zoo.

  • royburnley@live.co.uk, Bradford

    well done

  • Jim Livesey, Mirfield

    There are good reasons why a monorail can only be found at Alton Towers. There may be only one rail but each vehicle requires multiple wheels bearing on the single rail at different angles to provide stabilty. Switching at junctions and depots is a nightmare.

    I particularly enjoyed the quote from Mr Fox....Derby have probably got the job because it is a "niche" product and Bombardier don't want to upset "European" production lines with side shows.

  • king arthur, Buckley

    Everyone loves a monorail. Shame the only place you can ride one is Alton Towers...