UK: The first two of 13 Hitachi Class 805 electro-diesel trainsets ordered for Avanti West Coast services are undergoing testing on the West Coast Main Line ahead of entry into service later this year.
This follows two months of dynamic testing at Network Rail’s Rail Innovation & Development Centre at Melton Mowbray.
The £350m order announced in December 2019 and financed by Rock Rail and Aberdeen Standard Investments includes 13 five-car Class 805 electro-diesel trainsets for the London to North Wales route and 10 seven-car Class 807 electric sets for services between London, the West Midlands and Liverpool.
The 200 km/h non-tilting trainsets are being produced at Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe factory.
On February 10, AWC said the replacement of diesel-only Bombardier Transportation Voyager DEMUs would bring a 61% cut in the fleet’s carbon emissions, along with lower noise, roomier interiors, more reliable wi-fi, wireless charging for electric devices and a real-time customer information system.
