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UK receives first Class ۸۰۰ train for Intercity Express Programme
TIN news: The first pre-series Hitachi-built Class 800 train has arrived in the UK for the country's Intercity Express Programme (IEP).
Launched by the UK Department for Transport (DfT), the £5.7bn IEP is aimed to deliver infrastructure, rolling stock and franchise changes needed to support growth and improvements on Britain's busiest intercity rail routes.
The first train will now undergo testing and expected to start service on Great Western from 2017 and East Coast from 2018.
UK Rail Minister Claire Perry said: "These trains will transform rail travel for passengers travelling between many of the great towns and cities of England, Scotland and Wales, provide a massive jobs boost for the UK and deliver billions of pounds of benefits for our economy.
"IEP trains are a crucial part of this and it is fantastic that we are on track for the new fleet to enter service on schedule."
"We are investing record amounts building a world-class railway that provides more seats, more services and better journeys. IEP trains are a crucial part of this and it is fantastic that we are on track for the new fleet to enter service on schedule."
The new Hitachi trains offer faster services and additional capacity between London and major UK cities, including Reading, Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea along the Great Western Main Line, and Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh on the East Coast Main Line.
With these trains, the number of seats in the morning peak into London Paddington will be increased by 40% and 28% into Kings Cross.
In February, Hitachi started shipment of the first train from Kasado Works in Kudamatsu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
In 2012, the DfT awarded a £4.5bn contract to Agility Trains, a consortium of Hitachi and John Laing, to build 596 railway carriages at a new train factory in the north-east of England as part of the IEP.
Launched by the UK Department for Transport (DfT), the £5.7bn IEP is aimed to deliver infrastructure, rolling stock and franchise changes needed to support growth and improvements on Britain's busiest intercity rail routes.
The first train will now undergo testing and expected to start service on Great Western from 2017 and East Coast from 2018.
UK Rail Minister Claire Perry said: "These trains will transform rail travel for passengers travelling between many of the great towns and cities of England, Scotland and Wales, provide a massive jobs boost for the UK and deliver billions of pounds of benefits for our economy.
"IEP trains are a crucial part of this and it is fantastic that we are on track for the new fleet to enter service on schedule."
"We are investing record amounts building a world-class railway that provides more seats, more services and better journeys. IEP trains are a crucial part of this and it is fantastic that we are on track for the new fleet to enter service on schedule."
The new Hitachi trains offer faster services and additional capacity between London and major UK cities, including Reading, Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea along the Great Western Main Line, and Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh on the East Coast Main Line.
With these trains, the number of seats in the morning peak into London Paddington will be increased by 40% and 28% into Kings Cross.
In February, Hitachi started shipment of the first train from Kasado Works in Kudamatsu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
In 2012, the DfT awarded a £4.5bn contract to Agility Trains, a consortium of Hitachi and John Laing, to build 596 railway carriages at a new train factory in the north-east of England as part of the IEP.