EXCLUSIVE: New train fleet to replace Devon, Cornwall and Somerset's ageing inter-cities
EXCLUSIVE: First artist's impression of the AT-300 Hitachi trains First Great Western wants to run from London to Penzance. Ministers will decide by June whether to go aheadA fleet of 29 new trains is to replace the ageing British Rail 125s running between London and Devon, Cornwall and Somerset by the end of 2018.
Branch lines in the far South West will also get more modern trains ^ spelling the end for little-loved "cattle truck" commuter trains ^ in what is being hailed as the "biggest fleet upgrade in a generation".
The major overhaul of inter-city and local trains is the centrepiece of First Great Western's (
FGW▸ ) proposal to run the rail franchise for the wider South West and much of Wales until 2019.
Full details of the package were revealed in this morning's Western Morning News.
The franchise until 2019 was confirmed with the Government when Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin visited the region this morning, and will mean much more comfortable trains, quicker journey times and a big increase in services to the far South West.
FGW is proposing newly-built "off-the-shelf" Hitachi trains as its preferred option for the new fleet, which would get from London to Penzance 14 minutes quicker than at present.
Arguably more significant is the timetable overhaul ^ allowing trains from the capital get to Exeter before 9am, to Plymouth before 10am and to Penzance before 11.40am.
From 2018, there will be more direct trains into Devon and Cornwall ^ doubling the number of trains into and out of Cornwall.
Chancellor George Osborne's Budget last week signalled new trains were potentially on the cards ^ but details were limited to the point of confusion.
But, as reported by the
WMN» , the 35-year-old 125s that most Westcountry commuters were familiar with appeared to be doomed.
Significantly, the new trains, which are still subject to contract and Department for Transport approval, would be a new order and separate from the 50 trains the Great Western line was already due to get from 2017 under the Government's ^4.5 billion Inter-city Express Programme.
Those trains, also made in Japan by Hitachi, are a hybrid of diesel and electric, or "bi-mode", but were only ever destined for the Great Western line between the capital and Bristol and Wales.
One of the problems was they lacked the power to get up the hilly terrain west of Exeter ^ meaning Devon and Cornwall missed out.
FGW's franchise recommends privately-financing a new set of AT-300 trains made by Hitachi. They, too, would be "bi-mode" but would be fitted with more powerful engines and bigger fuel tanks to deal with the far South West's geographical shortcomings.
It means the lack of electric lines west of Berkshire will not be a problem as the new trains will simply switch to diesel.
The deal's outstanding issue is whether the Government opts to go with FGW's proposal of Hitachi trains, or refurbish the 1970s high-speed trains. A decision will be made by June after the general election.
But Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin indicated a new fleet ^ rather than giving the old
HSTs▸ another face-lift ^ was on the cards in the far South West.
He said: "I am determined that passengers in the west, Thames Valley and South Wales get a railway that is fit for the 21st century. This is a fantastic deal which will give them more seats, more services and brand new fleets of modern trains."
Local services are also to be upgraded. New commuter trains in the Thames Valley commuter belt to London will also have positive effects for the far South West. So-called "turbo" trains deployed in the east of the franchise area will be shunted over to the Bristol and Bath commuter area, and a small number to Devon and Cornwall.
The peninsula's local commuters will benefit more, however, from the 158s inherited from Bristol and Bath. Most importantly it marks the end of the detested carriages serving branch lines often likened to "cattle trucks".
Other local improvements include:
* The "cascade" of 90mph trains will help "transform" local services between Bristol and Penzance and on the Barnstaple line in North Devon.
* Almost 60% more seats on suburban commuter services in the Exeter area and two trains per hour between Exmouth and Paignton.
The Government has previously announced it wants First Great Western to continue running services in the region until 2019, but today's announcement marks the first time plans have been made public.
It was also revealed for the first time FGW will pay the government around ^68 million to operate the franchise from September 2015 until April 2019.
Last year a ^150 million package announced included the upgraded London-Penzance sleeper, which is guaranteed to stay in the franchise.
Wi-fi is also now on all inter-city trains and branch lines are set to get wireless broadband access too.
Mark Hopwood, managing director of First Great Western, said the proposal of new trains was the "most compelling solution we could recommend to Government".
"The railway is central to the connectivity and economic prosperity of the region, and I am delighted we have been able to work with the Department for Transport to develop a privately funded deal that will deliver for our customers in Devon and Cornwall and begin to challenge some of the perceptions of rail. I am confident it will get the support and approvals it needs to go ahead.
"The Great Western network is already seeing the biggest investment since Brunel, and this deal has been designed to match that investment and ambition. It gives passengers newer trains, faster, more frequent services and importantly, given the growth this franchise has seen in recent years, more seats."
The announcement comes as campaigners work with the Government on a ^7 billion rail package for the peninsula, which could include two new railway lines to avoid the snaking coastal route at Dawlish. Nothing has been promised, however.
"The final piece in the jigsaw". Reaction to the announcement St Ives Liberal Democrat MP▸ Andrew George said: "Train passengers have had to endure unacceptable standards in recent months. These upgrades are long overdue.
"If the Government can commit multi-billion pound funds for high speed services from London to the North then it's not too much to ask that we receive improvements which tackle the problems of comfort, reliability, overcrowding and competitive ticket pricing on routes to and through Cornwall."
Sarah Newton, Conservative MP for Truro and Falmouth, welcomed the "final piece of the jigsaw" in transformation of Cornish rail services.
"Thirty minute services through Cornwall will make life much easier for local people travelling about Cornwall. The reduced travel time from Plymouth to London, to three hours, is great news too.
All together, the package of investment will lead to more frequent, reliable and faster train services.
Too often in the past Cornwall has had the hand me downs from up country. Now we will be getting the very latest trains and thanks to signalling investment, more reliable and faster services."
But
Luke Pollard, Labour's parliamentary candidate for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, said: "The South West desperately needs new trains.
"What's hugely disappointing is that the decision to buy new trains could be taken today by the Government. Ministers do not have to wait until June when all the votes have been counted from the general election."
So, reading this, the displaced Turbos will probably be used on the Bristol/Cardiff to Portsmouth, whilst 158s will cover Exeter to Bristol, Swindon to Westbury and the Devon and Cornwall branches (??)
