TransPennine Express has launched its brand new Nova fleet of trains at Liverpool’s Lime Street Station, on November 22.
The new 44-train fleet was built by CAF and Hitachi and financed by Beacon Rail Leasing, Eversholt Rail Group and Angel Trains. Each train offers between 286-342 seats and five carriages.
Nova 1 is manufactured by Hitachi, while the Nova 2 and Nova 3, by Spanish manufacturer, CAF.
Nova 1 fleet will travel from Liverpool to Newcastle and Edinburgh to Manchester Airport and Newcastle. A Nova 1 train has 342 seats, providing an extra 161 seats compared to our existing trains, with 318 standard, 24 first class seats. Under a contract, Hitachi Rail will deliver TransPennine 19 five-car trains, which will be maintained by the manufacturer. The contract was funded by Angel Trains.
CAF delivers TransPennine 12 five-car Nova 2 electric trains, a contract which is funded by Eversholt Rail.
providing transport services between Manchester and Liverpool to Glasgow and Edinburgh via Preston. Each train has 286 seats, providing an extra 105 seats compared to our existing trains, of which 264 are standard, 22 at first class. 60 per cent of seats arranged in a bay around a table. All standard class seats will align perfectly with the windows.
Nova 3 moves between Liverpool, Manchester Airport, Scarborough and Middlesbrough. The 13 five-car trains are hauled by Class 68 locomotives. A Nova 3 train has 287 seats, providing an extra 106 seats compared to our existing trains, with 257 standard seats and 30 at first class. CAF and TransPennine agreed on the delivery of 13 five-car Nova 3 trains, a contract that was funded by the Beacon Rail.
The Nova 2 and Nova 3 trains will be maintained by Alstom, in Manchester.
Each new train features high quality seating and interiors with more luggage space, plug and USB charging points, free on-board wi-fi in both standard and first class and the entertainment system Exstream featuring the latest TV shows, news and films.
“Our vision was for Nova represents the brightest future for rail in the north and we are so pleased to make this vision a reality for customers, colleagues and businesses who make the TransPennine Express network such a crucial part of our infrastructure here in Liverpool and across the north. The name Nova reflects the positive changes that will truly transform rail travel for our customers, with an enhancement to customers experience on board and an increase in capacity of 80% on all routes. Our vision at TPE is to take the north further and these new trains offer more seats, improved connectivity and a higher standard of comfort,” Leo Goodwin, Managing Director of TransPennine Express, said.
By 2020, TransPennine Express will put into commercial operation all its 220 brand new state of the art carriages and will provide new routes and services and will increase capacity by over 80 per cent on a seven day a week timetable.
GBP 500 million (EUR 582.3 million) is the total value of the rolling stock investment, which will significantly increase capacity for passengers across the North of England and Scotland.
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