Arriva Group announced today an order for nine cutting-edge battery hybrid trains to replace its entire Grand Central fleet, providing a major boost to regional economies and offering passengers more comfortable, greener travel options.
The order for 45 Hitachi Rail ‘tri-mode’ cars, which have the flexibility to run on electrified and non-electrified tracks, along with a 10-year maintenance contract, represents an investment of around £300 million. Tri-mode means the trains can be powered using electricity, battery or diesel.
It follows approval by the rail regulator for extended track access rights for Grand Central’s existing services through to 2038, with the investment underpinning Arriva’s long-term commitment to UK rail and to delivering sustainable public transport solutions to communities up and down the country and across Europe.
The next Coastliners meeting is scheduled to take place at the People’s Centre, Raby Road, Hartlepool at 2pm on Thursday 20th February
Our guest speaker will be Matt Croasdale, Northern Rail’s stakeholder manager. All welcome
All weekends from 25th January through to 23rd March East Coast Main Line engineering work will result in significant curtailment and alteration to Grand Central service on the coast line. The first two weekends trains will terminate at Peterborough, whilst on 22nd/23rd March they run only to York. On all days there are fewer trains and with a much later (sometimes early afternoon) start.
Check before you travel!