This is the first of six four-car trains being built by Hitachi at its Kasado factory in Japan. The remainder of the order for 24 four-car and 46 three-car EMUs will be produced at Hitachi’s new factory in Newton Aycliffe, Britain.

The 25kV 50Hz ac 160km/h trains are based on Hitachi's AT200 platform and will be formed of 23m-long vehicles equipped with cab-end gangways for multiple operation.

The £370m contract includes a 10-year maintenance agreement.
The first trains are due to enter service on the Edinburgh - Falkirk High - Glasgow Queen Street line from autumn 201