300th Hitachi train delivered for UK passengers from Aycliffe plant

The delivery of the latest Class 807 for Avanti West Coast on Friday (September 13) represents a significant milestone in the ongoing transformation of the UK railways, which began with the introduction of the iconic Class 395 Javelin train in June 2009.

The future of the Aycliffe plant remains in the balance nine years after it opened with a fast-approaching gap in the order book before work starts on HS2 trains putting its future, and hundreds of jobs, at risk.(Image: Hitachi)

Talks are ongoing between the Government and Japanese train builder with a range of options said to be on the table.

Over the past 15 years, Hitachi Rail has collaborated with partners across the rail industry, making it possible to travel from Penzance to the Scottish Highlands on Hitachi trains.

The diverse Hitachi Rail fleet includes Scotland’s fastest commuter train (Class 385) on Scotland’s Central Belt, the reliable intercity Class 800 on the East Coast Mainline, to the UK’s fastest passenger train (Class 395) on HS1, the high-speed line from St Pancras International.(Image: Hitachi)

Hitachi Rail trains have revolutionised rail travel in the UK, setting new standards for reliability and connectivity.

Currently, Hitachi Rail trains operate across 10 fleets, which collectively achieve reliability rates three times higher than the industry average, whilst traveling far enough to journey to the moon and back over 100 times every year.

This exceptional performance has been recognised with numerous industry awards for fleets including LNER Azuma, ScotRail’s Class 385, Hull Trains, and Lumo.(Image: Avanti West Coast)

The company boasts consistently high levels of reliability with investment in maintenance infrastructure and skills, including the construction of brand-new maintenance centres in Ashford, Doncaster, and Bristol (Stoke Gifford). These modern facilities have become hubs for Hitachi to pioneer its digital maintenance and digital asset monitoring.

With 2,100 high-skilled maintenance employees across 16 sites, and leveraging an extensive UK supply chain, Hitachi’s maintenance operations contribute £500 million gross value add to UK economy every year.

Jim Brewin, Chief Director of UK & Ireland Hitachi Rail said: “Delivering our 300th UK train is symbolic of what the rail industry can achieve through strategic partnership.(Image: Avanti West Coast)

"Transforming levels in reliability, capacity and performance across Britain’s railways is only possible due to quality of industry partners we have in the UK.

"Going from one to 300 trains in just 15 years is credit to incredible people that have embodied the spirit of Hitachi Rail. With exciting innovations in green and digital technology being developed in the UK, Hitachi Rail is already working towards the future.”

On May 31 2024, Hitachi Rail completed the acquisition of Thales’ Ground Transportation Systems business (GTS), expanding the business’s footprint to 24,000 colleagues across 51 countries.(Image: Hitachi)

The acquisition has enabled Hitachi Rail to expand its product and technology portfolio, including enhancing its expertise in delivering signalling in the UK. Hitachi Rail is now responsible for more than one million passenger journeys each day in London, with our SelTrac™ signalling technology underpinning 60% of TFL’s transport network.

This newspaper first reported in March that the factory was reaching crisis point with dwindling orders. If no new orders are found hundreds of its 750-strong workforce could be laid off or the plant even closed in the next 12 months.

The Northern Echo has been calling for months for the Government to step in to save the Newton Aycliffe plant teetering on the edge, which also supports 1,400 other local jobs, by extending a contract for West Coast Mainline trains.#

Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor MP Alan Strickland said: "I'm very proud to see the 300th Hitachi train built for UK passengers, with over 70% manufactured here in Newton Aycliffe.

"These green trains are at the forefront of rail technology, providing high-skilled jobs and contributing over £500 million to our economy.

"Since becoming our MP, I've been working hard to safeguard the future of the factory. I've been lobbying ministers regularly and I'm pleased to see the Hitachi management team are in active negotiations with the Department for Transport to work on a solution to the production gap."

Recommended reading: 

• 'A jewel in crown of the North East': Hitachi chief's pride at Aycliffe factory
• Hitachi talks ongoing as factory's future remains uncertain on ninth anniversary

• Northern Echo calls on Rishi Sunak to act and secure Aycliffe Hitachi

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A DfT spokesperson said recently the government will work “swiftly” to secure the factory’s future.(Image: Hitachi)

They said: “The Transport Secretary is committed to supporting rail manufacturing in the U.K. and developing a long-term strategy to secure the industry's sustainable future.

“We know how important rail manufacturing is to this region, which is why this Government won’t sit on our hands.

“The Department for Transport will work swiftly with Hitachi over the coming months on options to safeguard jobs and secure a sustainable future for manufacturing at Newton Aycliffe.”