The public has been put at the heart of the HS2 train interior design, a process is being taken forward by West Coast Partnership Development (WCPD), HS2 Ltd and its manufacturing partner, joint venture Hitachi-Alstom High Speed (HAH-S).
“Together with our partners at HS2 and HAH-S, we want to produce a train that delivers the best travel experience in the UK and competes with other modes of transport. As part of our work to prepare for future operations, public testing at this stage of the programme enables us to make the right decisions for customers in this critical design phase of the project,” West Coast Partnership Development rolling stock director, Simon Aslett said.
Since the start of this year, a range of customer groups, including those with reduced mobility, cyclists and young families, have been invited to experience life-sized wooden mock-ups of the trains at the HAH-S facility in Derby – helping engineers to understand the levels of ease, accessibility and comfort.
The process included reviewing different options around boarding and alighting from the train, the positioning of grab rails to aid mobility and support and testing the layout of toilets – particularly for wheelchair customers.
Life-sized mock-ups were also made of other sections of the train including the café, and child buggy storage.
Passengers like to be able to see their luggage throughout journeys, so designers have maximised both overhead and under seat storage space to accommodate a variety of baggage and case sizes in an effort to enhance convenience and reduce stress levels.
As part of the design, a carefully-considered mix of airline-style seats in rows and four table seats is provided throughout the train to ensure there is a seat for everyone’s needs and with generous legroom.
With feedback from user group sessions, designers have repositioned grab handles near the doors, created a ‘step-free’ solution at HS2 stations for passengers, rearranged USB-C sockets and tray tables, and adjusted wheelchair spaces to give a much better customer experience.
“As we progress towards delivering the next generation of high-speed trains for HS2, the feedback from passengers has been invaluable. Their insights are helping us refine the design to ensure that our trains not only meet but exceed expectations for accessibility, comfort and convenience,” Hitachi-Alstom High Speed collaborative design manager, Niall Simmons, said.
Twenty groups have provided feedback on the HS2 train interior design so far as part of a process organised by WCPD, the train’s future operator. They also used insights from their ‘customer community’ a consumer focus group of 5,000 people who have a mix of travelling needs.
Once the train’s designs are finalised, full production will start around 2027. Bodyshell welding and electrical installation will be led by Hitachi’s Co. Durham plant before the interior fit out is completed by Alstom in Derby. Manufacture of the rolling stock will take place in parallel to the huge construction of the new line, with the railway expected to be operational between 2029 and 2033.
HS2’s trains will offer direct services between London and the West Midlands plus services further north via the West Coast Main Line.
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