Five train-builders make shortlist for £2.75bn HS2 contract

According to the firm, Alstom; Bombardier Transportation; Hitachi Rail Europe; Patentes Talgo S.L.U and Siemens will all be invited to tender for a £2.75bn contract to design build and maintain at least 54 trains for the new network.

Of the five companies in the running for the lucrative contract, four already have a significant manufacturing presence in the UK. Hitachi is currently building the next generation of intercity express trains at its plant in Newton Aycliffe, whilst Bombardier is producing the rolling stock for Crossrail from its historic facility in Derby.  Meanwhile, Siemens and Alstom - which recently announced plans to merge their European rail businesses - both have large maintenance facilities in the UK.  Spanish manufacturer Talgo is currently the odd one out but is reportedly scouting locations for a full train manufacturing plant close to Leeds or Liverpool.

The first trains are expected to roll off the production line in the early 2020s, and are currently slated to enter service in 2026.   Phase 1 of the network will link London with Birmingham, Leeds and Manchester in a “Y” configuration, whilst in the longer-term the trains will serve destinations including York, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh.