HS2 partners with Alstom to produce high-speed trains

Hitachi-Alstom High Speed has secured contracts with HS2 for almost £2bn to develop and manufacture a new range of high-speed trains for the initial phase of the HS2 project.

The transaction involves a maintenance contract that lasts for a dozen years, this will cover the 54 entirely electric trains. These are projected to generate more than 2,500 employment opportunities as well as deliver almost £160m gross value added (GVA) to the economy for each year the trains are being manufactured.

Nick Crossfield, MD of Alstom, said that “HS2 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Britain by building a sustainable transport system fit for the 21st Century. I am delighted that Alstom’s joint venture with Hitachi Rail has been selected to develop, build and maintain in Britain the next generation of high-speed trains.”

The first part will involve the 8-car trains operating between London and Birmingham on the current network. In theory, the trains will be able to travel at a top speed of 225mph and have high levels of energy efficiency.

Hitachi Rail’s Newton Aycliffe Durham facility will host the first assembly, then the product will be shipped to the East Midlands after the welding plant finishes the build. The trains will be equipped with interiors, electrics, etc. after they arrive at Alstom’s Derby facility.

An associate of the High-Speed Rail Group said that “This is a huge step forward for Britain’s most important infrastructure project. Because to get to net zero, we need to get more people travelling by train, and outstanding rolling stock has a hugely important part to play in that. The construction of the first phase of HS2 is now 20 per cent complete and some 20,000 people are already working on the scheme. The industry and HS2 Ltd are making great progress in delivering this project, which will transform Britain.”