PARIS — French train maker Alstom SA said on Tuesday a technical fault that prompted U.S. rail operator Amtrak to cancel most of its Acela Express high-speed train services would probably not affect its results, reports a wire service.
Financially troubled Amtrak ordered 20 of the Acela Express trains to bring high-speed services to the heavily populated Northeast corridor and help revive its flagging fortunes.
But a maintenance inspection on Monday revealed a crack in a shock absorber of one of the locomotives, and Amtrak said further checks revealed similar problems with two other trains.
The trains were built by a joint venture between Alstom and Canadian manufacturer Bombardier (Toronto:BBDb.TO – News), in which Alstom has a 25 percent stake.
“The issue is undergoing urgent technical investigation,” said an Alstom spokeswoman in Paris.
“Until the root cause of the problem is established, it would be inappropriate for Alstom to comment. However, we do not expect any material financial impact for Alstom.”
Alstom shares fell 4.1 percent to 8.63 euros on Tuesday compared with a 0.2-percent gain by the Dow Jones Stoxx European industrials index.