Pickersgill-Kaye has won another significant order from Hitachi Rail Europe to manufacture emergency door handles, this time for the fleet of AT300 bi-mode electric/diesel trains being built for Great Western Railway.

The fleet of AT300 trains are closely related to the 800 and 801 trains Hitachi is supplying for the multi-billion pound Intercity Express Programme (IEP), one of the biggest rail projects in the world for which Pickersgill-Kaye is already contracted to supply the Emergency Egress Device (EED) and Emergency Access Device (EAD) through to 2020.

This latest deal is for EEDs and EADs to be fitted to the 29 train sets, made up of seven nine cars and 22 five cars, designed for the London Paddington to Plymouth and Penzance intercity routes using dual electric and diesel propulsion capability. The Yorkshire lock maker, part of ASSA ABLOY, will also manufacture the cab door locks to secure the driver’s compartment.

Work has already started delivering the units for the first three AT300 trains being built in Japan, construction will then switch to Hitachi’s Pistoia plant in Italy where Pickersgill-Kaye will supply the bulk of the order. Manufactured at its Leeds facility, the passenger emergency units comprise of a handle which when pulled activates a safety feature that alerts the driver to the operation of the devices but prevents the door being opened while the vehicles are moving.

Previous performance supplying Hitachi with products for new-build trains, such as the Class 395 Javelin™ trains for the HS1 line from St Pancras to Kent and IEP project, means the worldrenowned train builder already has experience of Pickersgill-Kaye’s quality products. Pickersgill-Kaye’s Rail Products Sales Manager, Andy Hewitt, said: "This latest contract represents another significant order from one the world’s leading rolling stock providers. There is a renaissance in train building for the UK rail network and we aim to be at the forefront for supplying safety critical equipment to this booming sector."

Andy Rogers, projects director at Hitachi Rail Europe, commented: "We look forward to continuing our work with Pickersgill-Kaye as they supply high quality parts for our new UK trains. Our commitment to supporting UK firms through an extensive supply chain is clear to see throughout all our projects. With a strong pipeline of work at the Newton Aycliffe manufacturing facility and longterm train maintenance contracts in place, Hitachi is embedded in the UK economy."

Pickersgill-Kaye now forms part of an international group of companies which bring innovative products and extend the global reach of its range of rail locks and security locking systems. The company is securing opportunities in export markets including China, clinching a deal to supply cell door locks for the custodial suite of the first railway satellite police station on the route of the new Hong Kong-China Express Rail Link.

With over 150 years’ experience supplying the rail industry with door locks, Pickersgill-Kaye’s manufacturing flexibility and commitment will help the company win even more business against often tough overseas competition.