The new five-car 44-train fleet of three different types was built by CAF and Hitachi and financed by Beacon Rail Leasing, Eversholt Rail Group and Angel Trains.
Hitachi Rail class 802/2 ‘Nova 1’ bi-mode trains, which have 342 seats, will serve Liverpool to Newcastle and Edinburgh to Manchester Airport and Newcastle.
The fleet of 12 class 397s ‘Nova 2’ from CAF, which have 286 seats, will travel between Manchester and Liverpool to Glasgow and Edinburgh via Preston.
The 13 sets of CAF Mk5A ‘Nova 3’ push-pull trains will operate between Liverpool, Manchester Airport, Scarborough and Middlesbrough. The fleet operates in push-pull mode with Vossloh/Stadler Rail Valencia class 68 locomotives sub-leased from Direct Rail Services.
The new trains feature high quality seating and interiors with additional luggage space, power and USB charging points, free on-board Wi-Fi in both standard and first class, and the Exstream entertainment system featuring TV shows, news and films.
“The name Nova reflects the positive changes that will truly transform rail travel for our customers, with an enhancement to customers experience on board and an increase in capacity of 80% on all routes,” says TPE managing director, Mr Leo Goodwin. “Our vision at TPE is to take the north further and these new trains offer more seats, improved connectivity and a higher standard of comfort.”
“The new Nova 1 fleet will nearly double the number of seats available to passengers - up to a whopping 161 extra per train,” says Hitachi Rail group CEO, Mr Andrew Barr. “These modern inter-city trains - built incorporating bullet train technology - will make journeys across the north smoother and more reliable.
“CAF is extremely proud to be part of a hugely successful team approach between our company, TPE, Eversholt Rail and Beacon Rail Leasing which sees the Nova 2 and Nova 3 entering passenger service,” says CAF UK director, Mr Richard Garner. “These high quality, high performance trains will provide TPE customers across the north of England and Scotland with a transformed onboard experience, making a real difference to this important and busy rail network.”
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