Hull Trains has revealed its new trains are on schedule to arrive in the UK later this year. This will see them become one of the “best rail operating companies in the UK.”
It comes as the firm revealed the fifth and final train in the new £60m fleet arrived in Europe for internal fitting ahead of schedule this week. The train was built at Hitachi Rail’s manufacturing plant in Kasado, Japan. When they are launched, Hull Trains will have the youngest entire fleet in the country.
Richard Vernon, Fleet Project Engineer at Hull Trains said getting the entire new fleet into Europe was a milestone moment.
He said: “To get all the trains to Europe was a big step for us.
“It means no more shipping will be needed because to get them from Italy to the UK they will be rail hauled. This is a fairly swift process.
“Getting the start of the interiors built was an exciting process because we were seeing the physical trains taking shape.
“In Italy, we are now working on Hull Trains specific interior parts in reality. This process has been two years in the making.
“It is so exciting to see the physical trains, having been working off drawings and plans for so long.”
The building of the trains began in Japan in May 2018. By October last year the first of the five trains were ready to be shipped to Italy, and now, for the first time, all five trains are in Europe together.
The five new Class 802 Hitachi trains will replace the entire current fleet of Class 180s and revolutionise travel from Hull to London.
When can passengers see our new trains in the UK?
The first of the trains are due to arrive in the UK on August 29. Following test runs and staff training, all five trains will be rolled one by one into the timetable.
Passengers may catch a glimpse of the trains on the East Coast Main Line from as early as September. Hitachi Rail will carry out test runs, known as a “rattle run.”
“It will be an exciting day. Not just for everyone at Hull Trains, but for the region as a whole, when the first train arrives in the UK,” said Richard.
“I’m confident we will comfortably fit our schedule.
“There have been occasions where we’ve fallen behind, but there’s enough contingency time in the plan to make up missed time.”
When will the new trains be in use for passengers?
The trains will arrive one by one and rolled into the timetable from November and at first run alongside the current trains.
By December 31 2019, the fifth and final train will have arrived and the entire new fleet will be in use.
On track to become one of the best train operating companies in the UK
Louise Cheeseman, the firm’s MD is confident the arrival of the entire new fleet – set to arrive later this year will not only transform rail travel from Hull to London but also revolutionise the entire rail network.
Louise said: “I’m anticipating we will be the best train operating company in the UK come November when we start introducing our new trains.
“We will have £60m of trains for the people of Hull and those who travel down the line. There is no other company which can offer that.
“These trains will revolutionise rail travel and improve reliability across our services.”
What our new trains mean for passengers
The new trains will be more reliable, which is key for passengers.
Hull Trains need three trains to run its service. But by December will have five brand new trains, instead of the current four in the fleet. This will make a significant difference in reducing cancellations.
The technology involved will also mean Hull Trains can continue to run trains where overhead wires have been damaged. This is something that has affected services in the past.
They will be more comfortable, luxurious and spacious. There is also improved access ability and the storage facilities are better.
There will be more seats and the new trains are more environmentally friendly too.
Whilst the production team in Italy work to deliver five new trains – the focus in Hull remains on providing a reliable service between now and then.
Hull Trains secured an additional high-speed train to add to its stock. This is already making a significant difference to reliability.
