Hitachi to supply trains for new ScotRail firm

Life size mock-ups of the new trains were recently shown off to the rail industry

Dutch rail firm Abellio plans to buy rolling stock from Hitachi Rail Europe for upgrading the Glasgow to Edinburgh route.

On Wednesday it was confirmed that Abellio had won the 10-year ScotRail contract, taking over from FirstGroup.

Hitachi said, subject to negotiations, it would be supplying AT200 electric trains, manufactured at Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.

The AT200 trains have a top speed of 100mph. Each unit is 23m long.

Abellio is planning to buy 70 electric units which will form 46 three-car trains and 24 four-car trains.

A spokesman from Abellio said: "We are delighted at the decision of Transport Scotland to award Abellio the new ScotRail franchise.

"The new fleet proposal was a major feature in our winning bid, and we look forward now to continuing the negotiations with our preferred supplier Hitachi."