Train operator South West Trains has launched a procurement for between 135 and 250 carriages, which potentially could result in 50 new five-car trains, allowing 200 metre 10-car sets to be formed for suburban services out of Waterloo by the end of Control Period 5.
The new electric trains, which will come with a two-year support contract taking the total value to between £135 million and £425 million, are expected to be introduced between July 2016 and July 2017 at the rate of no more than two trains a week.
Bids have also been invited from rolling stock leasing companies to finance the purchase of the new trains. This proposal is awaiting approval from the DfT.
It’s likely that the new trains will be based at Wimbledon depot, where capacity is being freed up by the upgrading of the class 455s which will reduce the time they stay on depot for maintenance.
Report by Jonathan Webb
