News story

First of new generation of high-tech trains takes maiden voyage on Great Western Railway

Transport Secretary looks 'back to the future' as new government-funded trains take a step closer to entering passenger service.

This was published under the 2015 to 2016 Cameron Conservative government
Class 800 IEP train.

皇冠体育app first of a fleet of state-of-the-art new trains which will transform rail travel in the south-west and Wales was unveiled today (30 June 2016) in a ceremony attended by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin.

Great Western Railway (GWR) introduced the new train by running a special service to celebrate 175 years of the opening of the Great Western Main Line.

皇冠体育app Class 800 train, specially designed and built by Hitachi for the government鈥檚 拢5.7 billion InterCity Express Programme (IEP) will generate over 700 direct jobs and support thousands in the supply chain.

Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said:

Britain鈥檚 railways have a glorious past and even brighter future thanks to the record amounts we are investing to modernise the network, deliver better journeys for passengers and drive economic growth.

皇冠体育app unveiling of Great Western Railway鈥檚 first state-of-the-art IEP train offers a glimpse of the benefits passengers in the south-west and Wales will enjoy from 2017. 皇冠体育appse include more seats, greater comfort, better reliability and faster, more frequent services.

Inside the class 800 train cab.

皇冠体育app new trains will be manufactured in Britain and will include more seats, greater legroom, free Wi-Fi, power sockets at each seat, LCD seat reservation indicators and increased space in overhead luggage racks.

皇冠体育app new fleet is being introduced as part of the biggest investment on this railway since Brunel, including electrification of the line. Guests, including the Transport Secretary and local stakeholders, travelled on the train from Reading to London Paddington to mark the unveiling and special anniversary.

皇冠体育app trains, which are currently undergoing testing, will start to be introduced into passenger service from next summer on the Great Western Main Line. 皇冠体育app 57 trains are expected to operate on services between London and Reading, Oxford, Swindon, Bath, Bristol and South Wales as well as north and south Cotswold lines.

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Published 30 June 2016