The first Intercity Express Train built at Hitachi’s factory in Japan has arrived in Southampton port, UK.
The five-car test train (802 001) is set to operate on the Great Western Railways (GWR) Devon and Cornwall route, and will undergo testing before entering passenger service.
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Two additional trains are also expected to arrive in the UK in the near future.
The fleet of the Class 802 Intercity Express Train fleet is scheduled to begin operating next year and will connect London Paddington to Exeter, Plymouth, Penzance and various other locations.
GWR managing director Mark Hopwood said: “Today marks another significant step towards delivering new trains, more seats, more frequent services and quicker journeys; and a step-change in passenger experience on the Great Western.
“The first UK-built Intercity Express Train rolled off the UK production plant last December for introduction in passenger service later this year, and it is fantastic to this first train for Devon and Cornwall arrive in the UK.”
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By GlobalDataThe new trains are built utilising Hitachi’s Japanese bullet train technology and are set to feature more seats and better on-board facilities, as well as facilitate shorter journey times.
Passengers will also receive new on-board technology providing real-time journey updates and seat reservation screens.
Hitachi's trains are to be equipped with bimodal technology that will enable them to run on both diesel and electric power.
The first fleet of InterCity Express Trains will start operating on the Great Western main line that will connect London with Reading, Bath, Bristol and Cardiff cities, while the second wave of trains are currently being delivered and are intended for deployment along coastal routes in Devon and Cornwall.
The entire fleet of 93 trains is expected to enter into passenger service by the end of 2019.
London-based company Eversholt Rail has provided the funding for the Class 802 train fleet.
