Manufacturers showcase their proposed designs as rolling stock bids submitted
High Speed 2
IT’S THE battle of the sexy front ends! 5 June was the deadline for shortlisted bidders to put in their tenders to build at least 54 trains for the first phase of High Speed 2. Train manufacturers eager to secure arguably the most prestigious modern train contract for the UK to date have released new images showing the sets we could be travelling on from 2026.
BOMBARDIER/HITACHI
When Japanese giant Hitachi snapped up Ansaldo assets in 2015 it bought a place at the heart of the Italian rail market and found itself in partnership with Bombardier to deliver 50 Frecciarossa (Red Arrow) ETR1000s for Trenitalia. Described as the fastest in-service high-speed train in Europe – it can operate at up to 225mph – in June Trenitalia placed an order for a further 14 sets so that it can expand the Red Arrow network. The partnership appears to be working well; Bombardier and Hitachi have formed another joint venture to bid for the £2.75 billion contract to design, build and maintain the new HS2 fleet. While their press release points out that the two companies remain competitors, when it comes to fast trains for Europe the orga…
