HELLENIC Railways Organisation announced on January 6 that it had ordered 29 GTW2/6 low-floor articulated diesel railcars from Adtranz and Stadler AG of Switzerland to modernise and expand the Athens suburban fleet before the city hosts the 2004 Olympic Games.
Valued at SFr120m, the order covers 17 metre-gauge units for the Athens - Elefsis - Korinthos corridor and 12 standard-gauge sets to work the Piraeus - Athens - Inoi route. Stadler will get around half of the contract value and Adtranz a quarter; the remaining 25% will go to local firm Hellenic Shipyards who will assemble and commission the trains under licence. o
