CAF begins constructing first Mark 5A coach body shell for TPE

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CAF has started work on the body shell of the first of 66 Mark 5A carriages it is building for TransPennine Express (TPE).

The carriages, which will form 13 five-car trains, are being financed by Beacon Rail and will be hauled by DRS Class 68 locomotives. They will begin operating across the North of England from 2019.

The first completed set will be delivered from Spain in 2018. Features include Wi-Fi, an electronic seat reservation system and an infotainment system.

standard-class-interior

TPE’s managing director Leo Goodwin said: “I’m thrilled to announce that the first of our new trains has now entered production, marking an important milestone in transforming rail travel across the North.

“These new, modern trains will mean major improvements for customers that will really make a difference to the overall journey experience.”

As well as the Mark 5A carriages, TPE will also add 12 new five-car Class 397 CAF EMUs to its fleet and 19 five-car Class 802 bi-mode trains from Hitachi over the course of the next few years.

Images: TPE/CAF.

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