![[WMR] new WMR train fleet](https://www.railadvent.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/WMR-new-WMR-train-fleet.jpg)
In 2020, nine operators are introducing new and upgraded trains across Britain’s rail network.
This is part of an industry commitment to replace half of Britain’s train fleet, to improve accessibility and comfort for passengers.
Over 1,000 extra train carriages will be introduced, with better technology onboard to improve journey planning and accessibility, increasing from 15,000 to 16,000 by the end of the year.
The new and upgraded trains will now provide accessibility information to passengers before they pull into stations, informing passengers which platform their train will be. The trains will also have on-board GPS. to send signals of their exact location. This is part of a £20 billion investment in running and upgrading the railway in 2020.
- Greater Anglia is seeing a thousand new train carriages replacing the entire fleet.
- Heathrow Express is introducing 12 specially converted dedicated airport trains operating between Heathrow Airport and London Paddington.
- Hull Trains are introducing 25 new train carriages continue to be rolled out on services between London and Yorkshire and the Humber.
- London North Eastern Railway will introduce 65 new trains running between London, the East Midlands, Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland.
- Merseyrail is introducing a new fleet of cutting-edge trains.
- Northern will continue to introduce 101 new trains on routes in the North of England.
- South Western Railway is introducing 90 new trains that will run from the middle of 2020.
- TransPennine Express is continuing the introduction of 44 new trains on routes connecting northern England.
- West Midlands Trains will introduce new trains in the coming year, adding more seats and space for people in and around the West Midlands.
What did the officials say?
Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, said:
“Next year, passengers will be able to track their train, find out where accessible toilets are and even find a seat in the emptiest carriage as 1,000 extra train carriages come on track. New and improved technology will provide better information to passengers and make the railway more accessible to more people as train companies work together to replace half of Britain’s train fleet old for new.”
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Responses
Quite a Renaissance, expect delays in delivery and testing, followed by cancellations while drivers are trained. An optimist looks forward to the new stock once in service, perhaps we can look back this time next year and rejoice in the improvements.
Shame that Greater Anglia are not going to keep/retain the Class 379 Electrostars as the Class 745 Flirts are replacing these units within few weeks or few months. And the other units are to be cascaded to other rail operators including the Class 360 Desiros to East Midlands Railway. Class 170/2 to Transport for Wales and Class 153 & Class 156 cascaded to other rail operators who are willing to have extra rolling stocks.
Not to mention the Class 350/2 Desiro which West Midlands Trains is to replace them with the Class 730 Aventra. And c2c to replace the Class 387/3 Electrostar with the Class 720/6 Aventra (previously classified as Class 711).