Hull Trains has revealed the first artist’s impression of the new trains set to ‘hit the tracks’ as part of a major £60 million investment that will see the rail operator replace its current fleet with new high-tech Hitachi trains that will operate on both diesel and electric traction, thereby giving customers access to the benefits of the East Coast Main Line’s electrified track.

Hitachi (www.hitachirail-eu.com) said it is making good progress on the five new trains, with delivery still on schedule for the end of 2019, adding that Hull Trains has had a significant input into designing the new fleet, with decisions on features focused on making a difference to customers.

Phil Cameron, Hull Trains’ (www.hulltrains.co.uk) project director for new trains, said: “We’ve reached the end of the engineering and design phase, and we have completed final sign-off for production.

"Decisions have been made on the new interiors, which will be brighter and much more spacious.

"The next phase is to commence the relevant training in readiness for the launch of the trains, now that the engineering plans and processes have been finalised.”

The technology involved in the trains will also mean that Hull Trains can continue to run services where overhead wires have been damaged — a situation that has affected services in the past.