Figures released by the Rail Delivery Group reveal a boost in the number of new train carriages coming on track by 2021.

In October, Britain’s railway — a partnership of the public and private sector — published its plan to change and improve rail services, committing to delivering 5,700 new carriages by 2021.

The latest figures reveal another 1,300 carriages will be arriving by the early 2020s, bringing the total number to just over 7,000.

The new carriages represent an investment of at least £13.8 billion by the private sector. This is bolstering public investment in major upgrades to the railway infrastructure, which — combined with new carriages — will allow more than 6,400 extra services to be run each week by 2021.

A long-term rolling-stock strategy, to be published later this spring, will say that the total number of carriages running on Britain’s railway is expected to increase by 22% — from 13,000 to 15,900.

The new carriages will mean the retirement of some of the oldest trains on the network, to be replaced by rolling stock that has more seats, Wi-fi, power points, improved accessibility and air-conditioning.

Paul Plummer, chief exec of the Rail Delivery Group (www.raildeliverygroup.com), which brings together train operators and Network Rail, said: “With thousands of new ‘state of the art’ carriages coming on track over the next three years, the long-term plan is transforming journeys up and down the country.

"These new carriages will enable rail companies to work together to deliver on their commitment of at least 6,400 extra services a week, better connecting communities and helping to boost local economies.”