THE North East will again be at the forefront of railway manufacturing as it was today confirmed the brand new HS2 trains would be built in Newton Aycliffe.
The Government today revealed Hitachi/Alston JV had won the £2bn contract with County Durham playing a huge role in the assembly of 54 "bullet trains."
It is understood around 2,500 jobs across the region, the UK and wider supply chain will be created as a result of the contract to build.
Read more: Hundreds of jobs to be created as Newton Aycliffe gets HS2 green light
But what role will the £82m factory in Newton Aycliffe have - and what does the production of a train look like inside?
We've put together a gallery of pictures from over the years showing how hundreds of workers have readied scores of trains for public use.
Take a look below:
Opened back in 2015, the factory seen here from above is the first factory that Hitachi commissioned in Europe Picture: CONTRIBUTOR
At a cost of more than £82m, the site employed more than 1,000 full and part-time workers just two years after it opened Picture: CHRIS BOOTH
Pictures seen here show the assembly of Class 800s back in 2016 - shells arrive from Japan and arrive in Aycliffe for assembly and fitting Picture: CHRIS BOOTH
Here's Apprentice Bryony Stonehouse at the time back in 2017 in the cab of one of the commuter trains under construction for Scotrail Picture: CHRIS BOOTH
The plant produces a number of models including the Class 385, 800, 801, 802, 803 and 810 Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
Andrew Dick, Production Section Leader, pictured inside one of the plant's first commuter trains, the Class 385 for Scotrail Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
The trains are then delivered to their new operator once they are checked and approved in Aycliffe Picture: SARAH CALDECOTT
Here's a number of shells for the Class 800 series in 2019, they're yet to receive their bogies Picture: CHRIS BOOTH
Construction work on the plant officially commenced in 2013 as it was announced the InterCity 125 High Speed Train would be replaced
The plant has produced railway units for companies including LNER, GWR, Scotrail and new operator, LuMo Picture: CHRIS BOOTH
Set over more than 30 acres of land, the Hitachi factory has a footprint of almost 480,000 sq ft Picture: CHRIS BOOTH
The new contract will see HS2 bullet trains constructed in joint-partnership with Alstom, which is building a new production line in Derby Picture: CHRIS BOOTH
Apprentice welders Tim Berry, left, and Callum Crowe at the Weld Workshop at Hitachi in Newton Aycliffe back in March 2021
The trains will be able to reach speeds of up to 225mph - faster than the Eurostar between London St Pancras and Paris Picture: RICHARD LEE PHOTOGRAPHY
A train shell at the Weld Workshop at Hitachi Rail in Newton Aycliffe Picture: RICHARD LEE PHOTOGRAPHY
Apprentice welder Callum Crowe working on the shell on one of the railway carriages in March 2021 Picture: RICHARD LEE PHOTOGRAPHY
An engineer at Hitachi in Newton Aycliffe working on the interior of one of the railway units
Earlier today Andrew Barr, Group CEO of Hitachi Rail, said the company was "proud" to be part of the next generation of rail in the UK.
He said: "We are excited to be pioneering the next generation of high speed rail in the UK as part of our joint venture with Alstom.
"This British-built bullet train will be the fastest in Europe, and I am proud of the role that Hitachi will play in helping to improve mobility in the UK through this project.”
'Once-in-a-generation opportunity'
Nick Crossfield , Alstom’s Managing Director, UK & Ireland, said: “HS2 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform Britain by building a sustainable transport system fit for the 21st Century.
"I am delighted that Alstom’s joint venture with Hitachi Rail has been selected to develop, build and maintain in Britain the next generation of high speed trains.”
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