3 minute read - 10th December 2024
Hitachi Rail to build new trains for FirstGroup
Hitachi Rail has agreed a contract with FirstGroup plc and Angel Trains to lease 14 new, five-car Hitachi electric or bi-mode trains manufactured in the UK.
The 70 new rail cars will be built at Hitachi Rail’s factory in Newton Aycliffe for FirstGroup’s growing open access business, creating certainty for the manufacturing skills base and the factory’s future.
The agreement will deliver 14 new five-car class 80X Hitachi electric or bi-mode trains, which will not only give FirstGroup a homogenous fleet across its open access operations and provide flexibility and reliability for customers, but also facilitates FirstGroup’s strategic objective of materially increasing its open access capacity. Delivery of the new trains is expected to commence in late 2027.
The lease will be financed by Angel Trains, adding to its portfolio of Hitachi assets. The trains will be maintained by Hitachi at its facilities around the country.
The trains will be used on FirstGroup’s open access rail services, including the Carmarthen-London route announced on December 5, and the existing Hull Trains and Lumo services on the East Coast Mainline.
Never miss the latest manufacturing news by signing up to our newsletter here
Hitachi Rail is to supply FirstGroup with 14 new UK-built trains from its factory in Newton Aycliffe / Picture: Hitachi Rail
In addition, the agreement provides FirstGroup the option to invest another £500m on a further 13 five-car trains, if their recently submitted open access applications are successful. These include a new Lumo service between London and Rochdale via Newton-le-Willows, Eccles and Manchester Victoria; the extension of the Lumo service between Glasgow and Edinburgh; the expansion of the new London-Carmarthen Lumo service to introduce a new Lumo service between London and Paignton; and a new Hull Trains service between London and Sheffield via Retford and Worksop.
Open access rail operators are set up with solely private investment and take full commercial risk and opportunity. The successful open access model, which is supported by government and its independent regulator ORR, connects under-served places, helping to drive economic growth and providing additional capacity on core routes which can push a modal shift away from carbon-intensive travel.
Jim Brewin, chief director of UK & Ireland at Hitachi Rail, said: “This contract is a positive step forward, and just recognition for the hard work and patience of our teams across the Hitachi Rail UK business over recent years. We look forward to once again delivering for Hull Trains and Lumo passengers who will benefit further from our award-winning British-built trains. We owe a lot to the innovation and creativity shown by our customers Angel Trains and FirstGroup and are excited to work in collaboration to deliver on our combined ambitions. Equally, we owe a debt of thanks to the Northeast Mayor Kim McGuiness and other local MPs who have worked tirelessly in support of this private sector investment.”
Graham Sutherland, chief executive officer at FirstGroup, added: “The introduction of our new service between London and Carmarthen, and the extra capacity on Lumo and Hull Trains, will significantly increase our open access portfolio over the next few years, with further expansion possible should our recent applications be successful. The new trains, to be manufactured for us in County Durham by Hitachi, will support UK manufacturing and offer customers more choice as they consider affordable, environmentally friendly modes of travel in the future, and we are pleased to be taking them forward.
“We know that growth and innovation are key for the future of the railway sector and are committed to working with government and all our partners to provide competitive, sustainable and improved services. Successful open access services can provide new connections, add capacity, support local businesses and suppliers, secure jobs and help to drive social mobility and future economic growth.”
