East Midland Railway new Intercity fleet. Pic: EMR

East Midlands Railway (EMR) and Hitachi Rail are helping support specialist manufacturing jobs in Sheffield after a city firm was chosen to supply a range of components for its new Intercity fleet.

Stauff, a global leader in the manufacture and supply of hydraulic system components, is providing key products for EMR’s new Aurora Fleet, such as specialist clamping solutions, tube manipulation, flexible hose assemblies and fittings.

Stauff has been part of Hitachi Rail’s global supply chain since 2012 and this close relationship supports jobs in Sheffield and enables the company to invest and innovate its own manufacturing techniques in order to deliver cutting-edge intercity trains for the UK.

When it enters service in 2023, the Aurora fleet will offer significant advances on EMR’s existing fleet, with passengers benefiting from more seats and modern interiors.

The trains, which will have the ability to run on overhead electric lines, will also include features that passengers have said they want to see, including air conditioning, free Wi-Fi throughout, plug sockets and better passenger information screens. The new Aurora fleet is currently being manufactured at Hitachi Rail’s UK factory.

Ken Cleal, UK head of production at Stauff, said: “We are delighted to be working with a local train operating company and help bring the new Aurora fleet to the people of Sheffield and the East Midlands.

“We have a long history working in the railway industry and the ongoing collaboration with companies such as Hitachi Rail and EMR are key for us to help grow and maintain specialist manufacturing in the UK.”

Lisa Angus, transitions and projects director at East Midlands Railway, said: “When our new Aurora Fleet comes into service, the people of Sheffield can be proud that specialist manufacturing from their city has played a vital part in their introduction.

“Sheffield has a long manufacturing history, and the awarding of this contract is another example of how the railway is supporting specialist skills and jobs in the city.”

Amy Webb, head of EMR Programme at Hitachi Rail, said: “The Aurora fleet uses our new welding and painting capabilities, which has helped expand Hitachi Rail’s already extensive domestic supply chain.

"The collaboration with both our UK suppliers and EMR enables us to deliver a truly British-built train.”