First brand new Gatwick Express carriage on test

The first carriage of the brand new Gatwick Express train, the Class 387/2, has been built and is undergoing static testing by Bombardier Transportation at its manufacturing plant in Derby.

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) announced in November that it had signed a £145.2 million order for 108 new custom-built train carriages. The new Gatwick Express trains are due to enter service in 2016, replacing the 1980s-built 442 trains which have been operating on the Gatwick Express service since 2008, and are part of a massive investment in new trains by GTR.

The 27 four-car Class 387/2s trains have been specially designed for the airport route with:

• easier boarding
• better luggage space
• two-by-two seating
• power points at every seat
• air-conditioning
• Wi-Fi
• the latest automated on-board service information
• excellent facilities for people with disabilities

Angie Doll, the new Passenger Service Director for Gatwick Express, said:

“This is a key milestone in the journey to brand new trains for Gatwick Express. The benefits our passengers will receive will also be felt by those travelling from Brighton, as in the off-peak some of these trains will be extended to this station.”

Alan Fravolini, Bombardier’s Project Director said:

“These new trains for Gatwick Express demonstrate how our ELECTROSTAR product has the flexibility to meet wide-ranging requirements from train operators, including airport services. We’re delighted to be supplying these new trains, in support of GTR’s investment programme.”

Ends

For more information call 0345 4700 789 or email press.office@gtrailway.com

Govia Thameslink Railway

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) began running Thameslink (Bedford to Brighton, Sutton and Wimbledon) and Great Northern (London to Peterborough, Cambridge and King’s Lynn) rail services on 14 September 2014. A small number of services and stations previously operated by Southeastern transferred to GTR in December 2014 and on 26 July 2015 the Southern and Gatwick Express routes will be incorporated into the franchise. GTR will then be the largest rail franchise in the UK in terms of passenger numbers, trains, revenue and staff: GTR will carry about 273 million passenger journeys per year, employ around 6,500 people and generate annual passenger revenues of approximately £1.3bn.www.thameslinkrailway.com

About Bombardier TransportationBombardier Transportation, a global leader in rail technology, offers the broadest portfolio in the rail industry and delivers innovative products and services that set new standards in sustainable mobility. BOMBARDIER ECO4 technologies – built on the four cornerstones of energy, efficiency, economy, and ecology – conserve energy, protect the environment and help to improve total train performance for operators and passengers. Bombardier Transportation is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, and has a very diverse customer base with products or services in more than 60 countries. It has an installed base of over 100,000 vehicles worldwide.

About BombardierBombardier is the world’s largest manufacturer of both planes and trains. Looking far ahead while delivering today, Bombardier is evolving mobility worldwide by answering the call for more efficient, sustainable, and enjoyable transportation everywhere. Our vehicles, services and, most of all, our employees are what make us a global leader in transportation.

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