Hitachi Rail Europe has signed an agreement with FirstGroup and Angel Trains for the leasing of 14 new five-car trains. Delivery of the trains is expected to begin in late 2027, with the lease arrangement spanning ten years and financed by Angel Trains.
The new trains are intended for FirstGroup’s open access services, including the recently announced London-Carmarthen route and the expansion of Hull Trains and Lumo services on the East Coast Mainline. These additions aim to increase capacity and provide uniformity across the operator's fleet.
The agreement also includes an option for FirstGroup to lease up to 13 additional trains if the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) approves its pending applications. The proposals include new Lumo routes, such as London to Rochdale via Manchester Victoria, and extensions of existing services.
Open access rail services, funded entirely through private investment, aim to connect underserved areas while offering additional capacity on core routes. These services operate without direct government subsidies, taking on commercial risks and opportunities.
The trains will be maintained at Hitachi facilities across the UK, contributing to ongoing employment and local industry activity. According to the agreement, the manufacturing process is expected to sustain jobs and skills development at Hitachi’s County Durham facility.
