The first AT200 in ScotRail’s 70-train fleet order will be undergoing testing at Hitachi’s Japan plant next month.
Moreover, the number of trains to be built in the UK has also increased from 63 to 64, to take advantage of the expanded local manufacturing capability.
Hitachi’s general manager for Scotland, Jon Veitch, said in an interview with the
Rail Technology Magazine, the first body shell of the 70-EMU fleet is also expected to be shipped to the UK next month.
Asked why six trains are being produced in Japan rather than at Hitachi’s newly opened Newton Aycliffe facility, Mr Veitch said it is important for domestic staff to hone their skills and transfer the “quality and the reputation of Japanese manufacturing to our UK plant”.
Earlier this month, ScotRail parked a life-size model of the interior of the upcoming train at Edinburgh Waverley station so customers could experience it at first hand.
The first 24 trains will enter service in 2017, with the remainder of the fleet being rolled out by early 2019.