Alstom Transport, Bombardier Transportation, Hitachi Rail, Patentes Talgo and Siemens will be invited to tender for contracts worth £2.75 billion covering the design, build and maintenance of at least 54 trains for the HS2 project.

The Government hopes that the fleet, which will operate at speeds up to 225mph between London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Sheffield, will carry passengers from 2026.

HS2 Ltd, the Government-sponsored company set up to develop and promote high-speed rail, said that the successful bidder must provide a “world-class passenger experience” and meet the highest international standards for noise
reduction and environmental sustainability.

HS2 Ltd’s managing director, Chris Rayner, said: “It’s great to see such a strong line-up of experienced high-tech manufacturing and design talent.

"Together with the successful bidder, HS2 will deliver some of the world’s most advanced rolling stock, engineered to provide seamless, accessible, fast and reliable journeys.

"Starting from 2026, our trains will be used by tens of thousands of people every day, transforming links across the Midlands and the North and providing much-needed extra capacity between Britain’s major cities.”

The government expects the project to create about 25,000 jobs and 2,000 apprenticeships in total, both directly in construction and in a UK-wide supply chain.

The companies will bid in spring 2018, with contracts awarded in 2019. The successful bidder will maintain the fleet from the dedicated rolling-stock depot planned for Washwood Heath in Birmingham, which will also house the HS2 Network Control Centre.