Rail company gives glimpse of new fleet
THIS is what Northern’s new fleet of trains will look like.
Set to be launched later this year, they will be able to travel at up to 100mph.
Once completed, the fleet of 98 trains will replace the operator’s 30-year-old ‘pacers,’ which campaigners say are too small and not fit for purpose.
The first new train is due off the production line in the next few weeks.
It was presented to Northern at a special event hosted by manufacturer CAF last week. The 98 new carriages, part of a multi-million pound modernisation of Northern’s stock, will start to be introduced on the network from December.
David Brown, managing director at Northern, said: “This is a landmark moment for Northern and for rail travel in the north of England. We are introducing 98 new electric and diesel trains which will significantly improve journeys and the travel experience for our customers across the region.
“As well as looking like 21st Century trains, our new state-of-the-art units will be capable of travelling at 100mph, will have wifi, plug sockets at every seat, will be air conditioned and fully accessible.”
Once complete the train, along with other finished units, will head to Velim in the Czech Republic for testing before being brought into the UK for further tests during the spring and summer, with the first trains scheduled to carry passengers in time for Christmas 2018.
David added: “Our modernisation programme is gathering pace and the promises we made at the start of the franchise are really taking shape.
“Alongside our new trains we have delivered more than 70 refurbished trains which are already helping customers go about their daily lives with greater reliability and comfort. We have also started a significant station improvement scheme, including better stations, which has already seen more than 100 upgraded.
“This work will continue for the next 18 months as we further improve waiting areas, seating, lighting and customer information.
“By 2020 we will also be operating an extra 2,000 services every week, meaning our customers will not only have better trains and stations, they will also have improved options to get them to where they need to be.”