Firms shortlisted to build new UK express trains

The company that makes Japanese bullet trains was named today as one of three organisations shortlisted by the Government to compete to build a new generation of express trains for the UK’s rail network.

Hitachi Europe is up against Alstom-Barclays Rail Group and the Express Rail Alliance – a consortium involving four companies, including Bombardier and Angel Trains.

A “pre-series batch” of the new trains is due to be introduced on the East Coast Main Line in 2012.

Full production of the fleet will follow, with trains entering full service from 2015, starting on the East Coast line and on the Great Western line.

Hitachi has already been chosen to build 140mph trains for domestic services from Kent into London on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link in 2009.

The Department for Transport said today that the Intercity Express Programme would create a new design of train that would be lighter and more environmentally-friendly than current long-distance trains.

The new trains will also be longer and capable of carrying significantly more passengers than current stock.

Rail Minister Tom Harris said: “Last month’s rail White Paper highlighted the importance of increasing capacity in a flexible manner. The Intercity Express Programme is an excellent example of putting this policy into practice.

“We are developing a flexible train that can be deployed on different lines, in different lengths and with different sources of power – so this train can operate wherever we need it to in the future.”

The invitation to tender will be issued to the shortlisted bidders in autumn this year. Proposals will then be received from bidders in summer 2008, with the award of the contract in winter 2008/09.