12.02.18
New GWR Class 802 IETs leave Italy bound for Devon and Cornwall
The first of a new fleet of Intercity Express Trains set to run on GWR routes in Devon and Cornwall have been completed in Italy.
Hitachi will send the initial two bi-mode Class 802s across Europe and through the channel tunnel to join three other prototypes in the south west of England for testing.
The units are to be delivered as part of a wider fleet of trains following on from the introduction of GWR’s first wave of IETs which debuted on the Great Western Main Line toward the end of last year.
While these trains are now in use on services, between London and a number of other major cities, the new fleet is expected to run from the capital on the operator’s coastal routes, through Devon and Cornwall.
“We know how important the railway is to the economies and communities of the South West, and today marks another significant milestone in delivering the improvements we know our passengers wish to see,” said Mark Hopwood, managing director at GWR.
“These trains have been privately financed and will help us deliver faster, more frequent services into the South West with no cost to the taxpayer.”
While the previous Class 800 IETs were manufactured at Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe facility, this latest set has been put together in Italy in order to deal with the capacity of these orders.
Both of the new trains being delivered are five-car sets, but of the 34 others expected to be delivered, GWR has 22 five-car sets and 14 nine-car sets.
Top image: GWR
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