Bombardier and Hitachi, who announced their intention to submit a joint bid for the fleet contract in July 2018, have released a photo showing their proposed design for the 360km/h fleet which the companies have dubbed the “Great British” train.

Siemens' bid is based on its Velaro Novo platform, which the manufacture revealed last year.

The Siemens Velaro Novo

Alstom also unveiled its proposed design for the contract, which it says will be part of the Avelia family.

The Alstom design

Talgo and CAF, who were also shortlisted for the contract, had also submitted their bids by the deadline of midday of June 5, an HS2 Ltd spokesman confirmed to IRJ.

Talgo has based its bid on the Avril platform.

The contract is due to be awarded in early 2020, and the fleet must be operational by 2026 in time for the opening of the high-speed line.

HS2 will eventually comprise a 338km high-speed network linking London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.

Bombardier and Hitachi have collaborated in the past to deliver the Frecciarossa ETR1000 high-speed train for Italian national operator Trenitalia. Trenitalia ordered an additional 14 high-speed trains on June 4.

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