This is in addition to the 57 trains Hitachi is delivering to GWR as part of the British government’s Intercity Express Programme (IEP) from next year, and the separately-financed a fleet of 29 trains that will come into passenger operations in 2018.
The new trains will be built by Hitachi Rail Italy at its Pistoia manufacturing facility.
“This compliments the 86 brand new trains due to start operating across the GWR network next year,” says LWR managing director Mr Mark Hopwood. “They give us greater flexibility in our fleet to deliver faster, more frequent services and additional seats for customers, particularly while Network Rail completes the modernisation of the Great Western Main Line.”
