M7 is the name of the future SNCB (Belgian rail company) double deck trains. These trains will be built by a consortium made of Alstom Valenciennes (head motor cars) and Bombardier Bruges (passenger cars), second worldwide train manufacturer. The first trains should be put into service in 2018. A first firm batch of 445 cars will be built up to 2021 and the SNCB has an option of 917 additional cars to be built between 2021 and 2028.
AGC Transportation was able to convince Bombardier & Alstom thanks to its technical expertise, its experience of large and long railway projects, its belonging to an international group.
The awarded glass is a double glass unit made of exclusive coated glass of AGC Glass Europe. This DGU is clamped through a rubber joint into an aluminum frame which will be treated and protected against corrosion with a painting having an anti-graffiti function.
This contract is a major achievement for AGC Transportation! Indeed, beyond its size, the M7 project is particularly important as it will significantly increase our sales with Bombardier & Alstom, 2 major worldwide train manufacturers. Following the trail of this success, AGC Transportation is now concentrating on this project development from one side and the finalization of these trains’ door windows contract on the other side. The goal is clearly to have a train with 100% of the external glasses manufactured by AGC!