TRANSPENNINE EXPRESS TAKES ON SUPER NOVA TRAINS

TRAIN operator Transpennine Express (TPE) has received its first new Nova 1 trains. TPE says the Hitachi-built trains – of which there will be 19 in total – mark a “major milestone for rail customers across the North and Scotland”.

The bullet train-style, five-carriage trains will bring additional capacity on services between Manchester, Leeds, York, Newcastle, Morpeth and Edinburgh.

All the new trains will offer free wifi access in both first and standard class, plus plug sockets and USB points and access to complimentary Exstream entertainment.

Testing of Nova 2 and Nova 3 trains continues, with the latter entering service towards the end of the summer. A date for Nova 1 trains entering service is still to be confirmed.