Supplier boosted by ‘801’ contract

Telford-based Baker Bellfield has secured the contract to manufacture the tables for the new East Midlands Railway Class 810 fleet.

Hitachi has now awarded contracts totalling £1.8 billion to small contractors.

The Baker Bellfield deal will keep the family-owned company in business for the next two years and enable it to secure investment in £500,000 worth of new equipment.

The accessible folding tables in First Class will be completed in-house, before delivery to Hitachi’s factory in Newton Aycliffe. The 33 five-car units are due to enter service next year, replacing Class 180s and ‘222s’.