GWR orders seven additional bi-mode Intercity Express Trains

Great Western Railway (GWR) has announced it will order a further seven bi-mode Intercity Express Trains from Hitachi Rail Europe and its finance partner Eversholt Rail Group.

GWR Intercity Express Train on test at Bristol Parkway

GWR has confirmed that it will expand its Hitachi fleet with seven additional bi-mode Intercity Express Trains as part of a new multi-million pound agreement.

The new trains are in addition to 57 Class 800/1 Hitachi Intercity vehicles previously ordered as part of the UK government’s Intercity Express Programme (IEP), and are expected to operate on services between London and Reading, Oxford, Swindon, Bath, Bristol and South Wales as well as North and South Cotswold lines. This order is due for delivery next year with the separately financed 29 Class 802 (also known as AT300s) trains, ordered last year, due to come into passenger service in 2018. These vehicles are specifically designed with larger fuel tanks to cope with longer journeys and feature a higher rated engine output to tackle the gradients through Devon and Cornwall.

The new trains will be built by Hitachi Rail Italy at its Pistoia manufacturing facility.

Once in operation, the new trains will provide 7,900 more peak time seats in and out of London, with 9,600 more seats available across the fleet every day on completion of the Great Western electrification programme.

New GWR Intercity Express Trains will provide 7,900 more peak time seats in and out of London

Mark Hopwood, Managing Director, Great Western Railway said:  “This complements the 86 brand new trains due to start operating across the GWR network next year. They give us greater flexibility in our fleet to deliver faster more frequent services and additional seats for customers, particularly while Network Rail completes the modernisation of the Great Western Main Line.”

Commenting on the announcement, Karen Boswell, Managing Director of Hitachi Rail Europe said: “Hitachi is pleased GWR and Eversholt Rail Group have exercised one of the options they have with us to increase their fleet. This further strengthens our working relationship with two major customers. It is a further endorsement of our current work delivering modern, high-speed modern trains, connecting people and communities across the GWR network.”

Mary Kenny, Chief Executive Officer of Eversholt Rail Group added: “We are delighted to extend our partnership with FirstGroup, GWR and Hitachi to deliver more new high-quality trains that will enhance the passengers’ journey experience.”