Hitachi Rail has secured an order from Arriva Group for 9 battery hybrid trains to interchange its whole Grand Central fleet. The deal additionally features a 10-year upkeep contract.
The order for 45 Hitachi Rail tri-mode vehicles, which have the pliability to run on electrified and non-electrified tracks, represents an funding of round £300m. Tri-mode means the trains might be powered utilizing electrical energy, battery or diesel.
It follows approval by the rail regulator for prolonged observe entry rights for Grand Central’s current companies by way of to 2038. A subsidiary of Arriva Group, Grand Central is an open-access practice operator primarily connecting London King’s Cross, Yorkshire and the North East.
The trains will likely be manufactured at Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe manufacturing facility, serving to to guard jobs and abilities at its UK manufacturing base. In the meantime, the battery aspect of the order unlocks a brand new superior manufacturing alternative for the manufacturing facility and wider provide chain. The trains will likely be delivered in 2028 underneath a 10-year leasing association, in partnership and financed by Angel Trains.
Hitachi Rail has secured a £300m order for 9 battery hybrid trains from Arriva Group to interchange its whole Grand Central fleet / Image: Hitachi Rail
The pioneering expertise will reduce emissions and gas consumption by round 30%. The trains can enter and exit stations in zero-emission battery mode, serving to enhance air high quality and scale back noise in city centres. The brand new trains will embody 20% extra seats than current rolling inventory, and travellers can even profit from extra baggage storage, in-seat energy and an digital reservation system.
The rise in seat numbers means 400,000 further seats per 12 months will likely be accessible to passengers travelling between the North East, Yorkshire, and London. Due to their tri-mode functionality, the trains might be used on different routes sooner or later.
Jim Brewin, Hitachi Rail chief director of UK & Eire, stated: “As we have fun 200 years because the beginning of the fashionable railway within the North East, it’s symbolic that progressive battery trains are being developed in Newton Aycliffe. Battery trains’ means to ship cheaper, greener, and extra dependable journeys means we’re unlocking a brand new superior manufacturing alternative for rail in the present day. Following the profitable trial of this pioneering battery expertise final 12 months, Arriva and Angel Trains are remodeling Hitachi’s £17 million R&D funding into the primary battery practice order to be constructed within the UK.”
Amanda Furlong, managing director of Arriva UK Trains, stated: “This main funding underscores our dedication to the UK market. We’re proud to attach underserved communities with regional and nationwide centres, serving to make sustainable practice journey the straightforward selection. These best-in-class, greener trains will ship extra comfy journeys and a step-change in capability on our common Grand Central companies. We stay up for saying additional rolling inventory orders, offering jobs and wider financial advantages, as and when our community grows.”
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