International Railway Journal - July 2008 - (Page 49)

Train interiors Compin meets new challenges The railway seating market faces new challenges in terms of supply and meeting stringent specifications. Compin Group, France, outlines its views on the market. services with adaptable support - for example alongside the car builder’s assembly line - is becoming ever more vital, as is the ability to be flexible to meet different requirements. Compin’s ability to project manage and take overall responsibility for an interior fittings project - from initial design and industrialisation to delivery and maintenance - is generating a great amount of interest among many operators throughout the world. T ODAY, the railway seating market expects modular solutions adapted to the different needs of the constructor and operator, and the type of train. Interior spaces are becoming ever-more diverse and include areas for disabled persons, children’s play areas, food service areas, meeting spaces and first-class accommodation. The operator must also be able to customise the fittings to suit the trains they are intended for. The demand to provide flexible services in close proximity to the customer is rising both nationally and internationally. Prices for components must be established through an international sourcing policy with solutions that combine low labour cost countries (LLCC) and adequate installations, or involve joint ventures. The environmental dimension is becoming an important factor in the specifications of the major contractors. Engineering and project management capabilities are increasingly important for taking on complex projects, whether for modular and customised solutions, or fully custom-made solutions. The potential for innovation is and will remain a very important differentiator. In this respect, the new EU standards regarding the new rules for the mechanical, fire/smoke and environmental constraints will have to be taken into account quickly by many suppliers in order to remain significant players in the rail market. The ability to produce high growth-rate volumes in modern production sites that comply with the quality and logistics requirements is another major challenge. Production in LLCCs for manufacturers to remain competitive is, nowadays, a sine qua non. Remaining close to customers, both globally as well as locally, to offer conventional bulbs or fluorescent tubes. At the same time, Compin Seats was selected as the seat supplier for the NAT train, which is characterised by its high seating capacity while offering improved comfort over older types. Two-plus-three seating offers 490mm of shoulder room, while the cantilever seat support system frees ground space for increased safety and simplified cleaning. For the first time on Paris commuter trains, each seat has a headrest, which improves comfort. The moulded aluminium seats are covered with Compin’s patented anti-vandalism fabric and the choice of colours creates variety for passengers. The philosophy of NAT is in accordance with market trends that allow total freedom for fittings and the evolution of rail vehicles throughout their lifespan. Paris commuters Compin Interiors was selected by Bombardier to supply the new NAT Ille de France emus for French National Railways (SNCF) with floors, the upper parts of the passenger saloons, and general and safety LED lighting. The design gives priority to space thanks to the aesthetic integration of the electrical equipment in the ceilings. The LED lighting is eight times more efficient than InnoTrans At InnoTrans, Compin will be launching ‘Spine’, its new seat platform for commuter and inter-regional trains. While using a standard engineering concept, it offers a high level of flexibility regarding dimensions and customisation. Part of the booth will be lit by LED systems as used in the NAT train. IRJ Compin supplied new seats for the new NAT train, which include the first headrests on Paris commuter services. Photo: Bombardier Transportation IRJ July 2008 49

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of International Railway Journal - July 2008

International Railway Journal - July 2008 Contents This Month News Transit News Market News/Technology News News Analysis Conference Report Korean Railways Face a Bright Future Korean Exports Surge Ahead Ready to Roll in China Velaro Shows Eastern Promise Are You Sitting Comfortably? Compin Meets New Challenges The Fabric of Society Grinding Out a Result Rendezvous Full Contact List The Last Word

International Railway Journal - July 2008

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