Hull Trains has revealed its new trains are on schedule to arrive in the UK later this year – which will see them become one of the “best rail operating companies in the UK.”
It comes as the firm reveal the fifth and final train in the new £60m fleet arrived in Europe for internal fitting ahead of schedule this week – having been built at Hitachi Rail’s manufacturing plant in Kasado, Japan. When they are launched, Hull Trains will have the youngest entire fleet in the country.
Richard Vernon, Fleet Project Engineer at Hull Trains said getting the entire new fleet – which will replace the current fleet – into Europe was a milestone moment for the firm.
He said: “To get all the trains to Europe was a big step for us.
“It means no more shipping will be needed because to get them from Italy to the UK they will be rail hauled across, which is a fairly swift process.
“Getting the start of the interiors built was an exciting process because we were seeing the physical trains taking shape for the first time.
“In Italy we are now working on Hull Trains specific interior parts in reality and this process has been two years in the making.
“It is so exciting to see the physical trains, having been working off drawings and plans for so long.”
The building of the trains began in Japan in May 2018. By October last year the first of the five trains was ready to be shipped to Italy, and now, for the first time, all five trains are in Europe together.
The five new Class 802 Hitachi trains will replace the entire current fleet of Class 180s and revolutionise travel from Hull to London.
When can passengers see our new trains in the UK?
The first of the trains is due to arrive in the UK on August 29, and following test runs and staff training, all five trains will be rolled one by one into the timetable.
Passengers may catch a glimpse of the trains on the East Coast Main Line from as early as September as Hitachi Rail carry out test runs, known as a “rattle run.”
“It will be an exciting day, not just for everyone at Hull Trains, but for the region as a whole, when the first train arrives in the UK,” said Richard.
“I’m confident we will comfortably hit our schedule. “There have been occasions where we’ve fallen behind, but there’s enough contingency time in the plan to make up missed time.”
When will the new trains be in use for passengers?
The trains will arrive one by one and rolled into the timetable from November and at first run alongside the current trains.
By December 31 2019, the fifth and final train will have arrived and the entire new fleet will be in use.
On track to become one of the best train operating companies in the UK
Louise Cheeseman, the firm’s MD is confident the arrival of the entire new fleet – set to arrive later this year will not only transform rail travel from Hull to London, but also revolutionise the entire rail network.
Louise said: “I’m anticipating we will be the best train operating company in the UK come November when we start introducing our new trains.
“We will have £60m of trains for the people of Hull and those who travel down the line – there is no other company which can offer that.
“These trains will revolutionise rail travel and improve reliability across our services.”
What our new trains mean for passengers
The new trains will be more reliable, which is key for passengers.
Hull Trains need three trains to run its service, but by December will have five brand new trains, instead of the current four in the fleet, which will make a significant difference in reducing cancellations.
The technology involved will also mean Hull Trains can continue to run trains where overheard wires have been damaged, which has affected services in the past.
They will be more comfortable, luxurious and spacious. There is also improved access ability and the storage facilities are better.
There will be more seats and the new trains are more environmentally friendly too.
In the meantime
Whilst the production team in Italy work to deliver five new trains – the focus in Hull remains on providing a reliable service between now and then.
Hull Trains secured an additional high-speed train (HST) to add to its stock – which is already making a significant difference to reliability.
• Hull Trains operates seven trains a day between Hull and London each weekday and five on a weekend
• Formed in 2000, the company was one of the UK’s first non-franchised operators delivering services that were not of interest to the franchised operators
• Although the company offers a public service it does not receive any money from the ‘public purse’ – the company operates on a wholly commercial basis and does not receive subsidy or incentives from the Government
• Despite this, Hull Trains offers some of the best value fares between Hull and London
• Increased usage from Hull and the creation of new markets in Brough, Howden and Selby (and the surrounding areas) are the main reasons for Hull Trains’ year on year growth and popularity
• Today the organisation carries around a million passengers each year
• 120 people work for the company, mostly living in Hull and the East Riding of Yorkshire
• Aside from the economic benefits derived from carrying business and leisure travellers to and from London, the company is estimated to be worth around £200m to the Hull economy each year (salary and supply chain multiplier effect)
• In 2016, Hull Trains was named the UK’s best train operator and has always scored very highly in the National Passenger Survey since 2000 – regularly ranked in the UK’s top three train operating companies
• In 2019, Hull Trains will invest £60m in new trains which will see the company operating some of the most technologically advanced, fastest and most comfortable trains in the UK.
