ANGLIA FLEET REPLACEMENT BOOSTS ORDERS AS OVER 5,500 NEW CARRIAGES NOW EXPECTED
The market for new trains continues to grow. Very low interest rates and cheap financing, along with reduced manufacturing costs, have made it attractive for operators to procure new trains rather than overhaul existing fleets.
The table offers an overview of stock due to be delivered over the coming years. Since its last inclusion in the April 2016 issue (‘Informed Sources’), the number of new carriages on the way has swelled by nearly 1,000, even when some fleets are removed now that their delivery has been completed. The major orders for the IEP and Thameslink fleets continue to dominate, but the decision by Abellio to completely replace the East Anglian fleet as part of its new franchise provides an order of comparable size, albeit split between two manufacturers.
MORE AT300 ORDERS
In addition to the IEP order, the Hitachi AT300 bi-mode continues to be a popular offering – as well as the order from TransPennine Express for a 19-strong fleet to operate on the North trans-Pennine route, Hull Trains has confirmed an order for five units for delivery in 2019 to replace its Class 180 DMUs. Meanwhile, Great Western Railway ha…
