ITALY: Knorr-Bremse has announced its entry into the international passenger rolling stock coupler market, as part of a contract to supply subsystems for metro trains which Milano operator ATM has ordered from Hitachi for use on lines M1, M2 and M3.
Hitachi was awarded a framework contract for 46 six-car trainsets with a firm order 21 in Q4 2022. Deliveries are scheduled from Q4 2023 to Q1 2026.
Knorr-Bremse’s ‘mid double-digit million-euro’ subcontract also includes pneumatic braking systems with its FlexControl Modular control units, and sliding plug doors from its IFE subsidiary
‘Our partner Hitachi Rail has once again demonstrated its confidence in our solutions by placing this high-value order’, said Dr Jürgen Wilder, Knorr-Bremse executive board member responsible for Rail Vehicle Systems division, on February 8. The contract ‘is a fantastic step forward for us as we enter this technically challenging and growing market segment.’
Knorr-Bremse has developed a range of modular couplers for various types of passenger trains since 2019, including the AutoLink centre buffer coupler and the ShortLink semi-permanent coupler. It is also developing a FreightLink digital automatic coupler for wagons.
