Trains from the 21st Century

Each carriage is three metres longer than the existing HST cars, allowing Agility Trains to carry the same number of passengers in a nine-car train as a HST can carry in a ten-car.

700 seats per nine-car set provides greater capacity and the trains will carry the latest intelligent systems and wi-fi .

Hitachi has aimed to make the interior environment “future-proof” for passengers, he said, with a modular design to allow refreshes throughout the train’s lifespan.

The train’s interior was designed in Warwick by DCA. Work has involved mock-ups to determine the optimum seat and luggage storage arrangements, as well as how to fit in toilets and make the best use of the space.

“We are confident we have a very good, ergonomic design for the drivers’ cab; it’s a very comfortable environment and much different to the HSTs they enjoy today,” Dormer added.