17.10.14
Minister gives thumbs up for Class 800 & 801 mock-ups
This week the rail minister Claire Perry, along with students from undergraduate and postgraduate railway engineering courses at the University of Birmingham, headed down to the life-size mock-up of the new Class 800/801 trains in Warwick at DCA Design International's facility.
RTM went down earlier in the year for a guided tour, but to say the mock-up looks impressive is an understatement. And the minister appears to be in agreement.
She said: “This was a fantastic opportunity not just to get a glimpse of what that experience will be like but also to hear the views of young engineers who could be playing a major role in the future of our railways, I was especially pleased to meet so many women who are involved in the engineering, design and management of one of Britain’s key growth industries.
“Like them, I can’t wait to see the first of these trains rolling out on our network.”
Part of the government’s £5.8bn Intercity Express Programme, the new electric and bi-mode trains will run on the Great Western Main Line from 2017 and the East Coast Main Line from 2018, bringing more capacity, as well as quicker, more reliable and greener services for thousands of passengers.
The new trains will provide significant benefits to passengers, with 19% more seats on each train, reduced journey times between London, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh on the East Coast and Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea on the Great Western by up to 15 minutes, and improved reliability.
(Image: c. DfT)
Tell us what you think – have your say below or email [email protected]