This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-23353962
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Hitachi wins £1.2bn train carriage contract | Hitachi wins £1.2bn train carriage contract |
| (5 days later) | |
| A £1.2bn deal to build new UK trains has been won by Hitachi Rail Europe. | A £1.2bn deal to build new UK trains has been won by Hitachi Rail Europe. |
| The firm will build 270 carriages at a new factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, which will start production in 2016. | The firm will build 270 carriages at a new factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, which will start production in 2016. |
| The carriages are part of the class 800 series and will go into operation on the East Coast Main Line from 2019. | The carriages are part of the class 800 series and will go into operation on the East Coast Main Line from 2019. |
| Last year, the government agreed an initial order for 596 carriages with Agility Trains, a consortium of Hitachi and British firm John Laing. | |
| In a statement, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "This new order for class 800 series trains is part of the government's commitment to invest in our nation's infrastructure". | In a statement, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: "This new order for class 800 series trains is part of the government's commitment to invest in our nation's infrastructure". |
| Thursday's order is part of Britain's £5.8bn programme, launched in 2005, to replace the nation's ageing stock of trains. | Thursday's order is part of Britain's £5.8bn programme, launched in 2005, to replace the nation's ageing stock of trains. |
| In total the new fleet will comprise 122 complete train sets and will have more seats and wider aisles than older models. | In total the new fleet will comprise 122 complete train sets and will have more seats and wider aisles than older models. |
| The trains are capable of running at up to 140mph (225kmph), but to run at that speed lines and signals will need upgrading. | The trains are capable of running at up to 140mph (225kmph), but to run at that speed lines and signals will need upgrading. |
| Hitachi Rail Europe's chief executive Alistair Dormer said: "This order extends firm orders at the (Newton Aycliffe) factory until the end of the decade with significant capacity remaining available for further UK and export contracts actively being pursued." | Hitachi Rail Europe's chief executive Alistair Dormer said: "This order extends firm orders at the (Newton Aycliffe) factory until the end of the decade with significant capacity remaining available for further UK and export contracts actively being pursued." |