Hitachi Rail Europe named as FirstGroup preferred supplier for AT300s

A fleet of 29 AT300s will be built by Hitachi Rail Europe in Japan for First Great Western, subject to Government approval.

The fleet of 22 five-car and seven nine-car bi-mode trains will have an option for an additional 30 trains and will provide possibilities for trains to run as ten-car trains when needed.

FGW Managing Director Mark Hopwood said: “The fleet currently running on routes in the South West of England, is nearly 40 years old, and passengers would greatly benefit from brand new, highly comfortable trains. FirstGroup has conducted a competitive procurement exercise for these trains and we are close to securing private financing for the deal shortly. The DfT will be making a final decision by the end of June”. 

Hitachi Rail Europe Chief Operating Officer Andy Barr said: “The Class 800 bi-mode trains were initially designed for the Great Western and East Coast main lines and we have refined the design further for the challenges of the route to Plymouth and Penzance. We have put a lot of thought into ensuring a passenger environment that is comfortable for short and long-distance journeys, incorporating feedback by passenger groups.

• For more on this story, read RAIL 771, published on April 1.