Hitachi Rail Europe, Abellio to provide new trains for ScotRail franchise
Published: Fri, 2015-03-13 15:05Hitachi Rail Europe and Abellio announce that they have signed a contract for the provision and maintenance of 70 new trains for the upcoming ScotRail franchise. The trains are financed by Caledonian Rail Leasing.
46 three-car and 24 four-car AT200 EMU trains are being procured to operate along the Edinburgh-Glasgow and Stirling – Alloa –Dunblane lines and will go into service in late 2017. The contract also comprises a 10-year maintenance deal, with plans currently in place to stable and service the trains at depots in Edinburgh.
The first seven trains are scheduled to be built in Hitachi’s Kasado factory in Japan, with the remaining 63 being built in their flagship Newton Aycliffe train manufacturing facility in the UK, opening later this year.
The AT200 model has been designed to transform the regional commuter travel experience. With a top speed of 100 miles per hour, each car is 23 metres in length, and features cab-end and inter-vehicle gangways to facilitate the best use of passenger space. The train has a 35-year design life and is made to complement the requirements as set out and agreed with Transport Scotland.
The contract is being financed by Caledonian Rail Leasing Ltd, a Special Purpose Vehicle created by SMBC Leasing.