Nova trains to be tested once again
THE futuristic looking new trains set to vastly improve standards for passengers in the north are being tested again.
A super fast Nova 1 was sent on a test run from West Yorkshire to Liverpool on Tuesday and was spotted at Slaithwaite and Marsden.
The Nova trains were due to be rolled out last year by TransPennine Express (TPE) but had to be delayed when faults were found.
TPE had hoped to introduce the Nova 3 trains, which will run at up to 160km/h, last year but discovered issues with a ‘key onboard system’.
TPE has confirmed to the Examiner that manufacturers CAF had now fixed the issue and said both Nova 1 and Nova 3 trains were, as a result, under- going general testing.
The York-based train operator said last year that it hoped to launch them this spring.
A spokesperson for the firm said they hoped to roll out Nova fleets 1, 2 and 3 in phases later this year.
Once in service, the Nova 3 trains will operate on the route between Liverpool, Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, York, Scarborough and Middlesbrough.
In total 13 state-of-the art, five-carriage trains will be introduced. Each have 291 seats compared to 181 on the current Class 185 trains operated by TPE on the route.
The company promises the trains will have more luggage space, plus USB charging points and free wi-fi in standard and first class.
There will also be new display screens with “real time reservation information.”