OREANDA-NEWS. Alstom and Canadian customer Rocky Mountaineer celebrated on 18 March 2016 the delivery of the third rebuilt luxury rail car at Alstom’s Mare Island facility in California.  Alstom has already modernized and delivered two cars and will soon deliver a fourth. In 2016, Rocky Mountaineer confirmed that Alstom would rebuild two additional cars for its SilverLeaf Service fleet, bringing the total number of rebuilt cars, after project completion, to six.

Rocky Mountaineer operates a luxury tourist train service that operates in the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada, showcasing the wild beauty of Canada’s west and the majestic Rocky mountains. It has grown over the past 26 years to become the largest privately owned luxury tourist train company in the world. In 2014, Rocky Mountaineer launched a rebuild strategy to increase the capacity of its SilverLeaf Service fleet by converting its former RedLeaf Service cars into single level coaches, thereby extending the lifespan of its rail cars, and increasing passenger comfort and services.

Alstom’s scope of work includes a complete overhaul and conversion of the cars, including concept and design, interior and industrial design engineering, mechanical, electrical, and rail testing, as well as commissioning. Rebuilding and modernizing the cars extends their lifetimes by at least 10 years. In addition, by refurbishing, rebuilding and replacing interior and exterior rail car components, Rocky Mountaineer is adding more than 300 additional seats to its SilverLeaf Service capacity. The newly rebuilt cars also have new systems (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) to increase guest comfort, as well as new flat and curved windows that give guests a 167% larger viewing area than before. 

The work is being performed at Alstom’s western service centre located on Mare Island, California. 

"Alstom is pleased to deliver two more cars to Rocky Mountaineer, demonstrating the company’s ability to understand customers’ needs and develop tailored solutions," said Bernd Burgstahler, Alstom Managing Director, Services, North America. "These additional rebuilt cars will allow Rocky Mountaineer to add capacity to its service and offer their guests a luxurious train experience."

Alstom has been a service provider for more than 25 years and has been awarded over 100 maintenance projects and more than 80 modernisation contracts around the world.