Further detail has been released about the specification of the new fleet of Very High Speed Trains to be built by a joint venture of Alstom and Hitachi for High Speed Two. The £2 billion contract for 54x8-car sets, capable of 360km/h (225mph), was awarded to the JV in December.
Both manufacturers were represented at an engagement event for the supply chain in Derby on 28 February, organised by Rail Forum Midlands. Despite the first train not being due for completion until 2027, Alstom’s Maria Griffin encouraged suppliers to engage quickly as a concept design is due to be finalised by the end of this year.
The concept design will be a joint project between the JV partners, with energy efficiency, weight and noise reduction key objectives to ensure this is one of the most advanced very high-speed trains in the world.
