The first TransPennine Express Class 802/2 has left Kasado, Japan for the UK. It is due to arrive in June, and will start main line testing a few weeks later.
The five-car bi-mode is the first of 19 for TransPennine Express, while a further five are being built for Hull Trains.
It was planned that three would be built in Japan by Hitachi, with the rest assembled at Newton Aycliffe. However production is switching to Pistoia, Italy, which is currently building ‘802s’ for Great Western Railway. Bodyshells for TPE’s third ‘802’ are already on their way to the Italian factory.
A Hitachi spokesman told RAIL: “The investment in these new trains is supporting thousands of jobs across the UK through Hitachi’s decision to choose over 30 UK firms to supply key components to our Italian sister factory. The trains will also be maintained at our recently built depot in Doncaster, home to over 250 workers. Our UK train factory in the North East will continue to be busy throughout 2019.”
- For the FULL story, read RAIL 852, published on May 9, and available digitally on Android/iPad from May 5.
- To read about TPE's Mk 5A fleet on test in Velim, read read RAIL 851, published on April 25, and available digitally on Android/iPad from April 21.
AndrewJGwilt1989 - 21/04/2018 16:28
GWR are becoming a train operator that wants new trains to keep with the up with the customer satisfaction and yes they are replacing the older trains with new trains but retaining those for the Westcountry. The Class 802's will serve the Southwest (including Cornwall and Devon) when they enter service later this year. Also GWR might retain some of the Class 43 HST+Mk3 (4/5-Car) to be used on Swansea/Cardiff Central-Exeter St. David's, Penzance, Truro and Plymouth.