Testing begins, with Class 385s due in traffic next September

Commissioning of the Class 385s for passenger service begins in July, Hitachi Rail Europe AT100 & AT200 Programme Manager Andy Radford told RAIL on December 11.

Speaking at the unveiling of 385102 at Glasgow Shields Road, Radford explained how the project will progress. He said that interiors will be finalised in February, and that the first four trains to receive them will be T5 and T6 in Kasado (Japan) and T7 and T8 in Newton Aycliffe. These are the fifth to eighth trains to be built. 

• For much more on the Class 385s, read RAIL 816, published today (December 21).