Railway system supplier Hitachi has unveiled one of the three pre-series Class 800 intercity train sets being built for the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) of UK’s Department for Transport (DfT).
Hitachi was awarded this project in July 2012 and the trains are expected to be delivered in the first half of 2015.
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The IEP project is part of a public-private partnership scheme led by the DfT and the financial assistance has been provided by organisations including Japan Bank for International Cooperation and Nippon Export and Investment Insurance.
For this project, Hitachi will build 122 trains for DfT, of which 12 will be constructed at Kasado Works in Kudamatsu City, Yamaguchi Prefecture, while the remaining 110 trains will be built at its facility in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, UK.
Equipped with under-floor diesel engine generator, the Class 800 series trains will also be able to service on non-electrified routes along with the electrified one.
Features of the trains include air-conditioning, wheelchair-accessible bathrooms, CCTV, passenger information system, Wi-Fi and seat reservation display.
In addition, the trains will provide a bicycle storage space with security locks and kitchen and catering service for better passenger experience.
The Great Western Main Line is expected to start service using Class 800 series trains in 2017, while the East Coast Main Line is scheduled for operations in 2018.
Hitachi started the low-speed running trials of these intercity train sets in September.
Image: Hitachi’s Class 800 intercity train will have a maximum operating speed of 201km/h. Photo: courtesy of Hitachi.
