The first train in a new £1 billion fleet being built by Derby’s Bombardier for a 海角视频 operator has been delivered.
South Western Railway (SWR) has received the first of 90 new trains, which are being built at the firm’s Litchurch Lane factory in Derby.
The 10-carriage Class 701 train will now undergo a full programme of testing.
Stabled at Eastleigh, the train will be commissioned as part of Bombardier’s network testing regime to gain Office for Road and Rail certification for full passenger usage ahead of the fleet being introduced later this year.
Next month, SWR’s full programme of testing is also expected to get underway.
The train operator will assess new systems specifically designed for the Class 701 trains, including new communications systems, environmentally friendly toilets, sensitive edge doors, regenerative braking and onboard features like Wi-Fi and at-seating charging points.
The Class 701s represents a huge investment by SWR in more modern, faster and reliable services.
The new trains will help more passengers arrive on time in the morning and evening peak periods, to and from London Waterloo on one of Europe’s busiest rail networks.
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Following the arrival of the first Class 701, SWR said more new trains were expected to arrive from Bombardier’s Derby site over the coming weeks and months as the next phase of testing gathers pace ahead of eventual introduction.
Alex Foulds, SWR’s commercial projects director, said: “I’m delighted to see us achieving another major milestone.
“The programme is gathering pace and we’re entering an important phase of the project as we begin real-world testing on our network ahead of the trains entering passenger service later this year.
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“We’ve been working hard with Bombardier to ensure that these trains are fit and ready to transform journeys for suburban passengers.”
Will Tanner, Bombardier’s director of communications, said: “We are delighted to see the first of these British-designed and built trains leave the factory at Derby. It has been a great team effort by all involved.
“Network testing can now begin on these cutting-edge trains, which is another important step towards passenger service.”