HS2 rolling stock

A modelling of costs and risks in the project in 2012 estimated that captive trains may cost around £27{{nbsp}}million per train and the conventional compatible trains, which will be built for the United Kingdom loading gauge, could have cost around £40{{nbsp}}million.{{cite web |title=HS2 Cost and Risk Model Report |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69741/hs2-cost-and-risk-model-report.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210314183415/https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/69741/hs2-cost-and-risk-model-report.pdf |archive-date=14 March 2021 |website=gov.uk}}

The order for rolling stock for HS2 is specified in the Train Technical Specification issued with the Invitation To Tender (ITT), which was initially published in July 2018, being revised in March 2019 following clarification questions from tendering companies.

Five bids were shortlisted for the first HS2 rolling stock contract:{{cite web |last=RailEngineer |date=11 June 2019 |title=The 5 bidders for HS2 train order reveal their designs – Rail Engineer |url=https://www.railengineer.co.uk/the-5-bidders-for-hs2-train-order-reveal-their-designs/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222153548/https://www.railengineer.co.uk/the-5-bidders-for-hs2-train-order-reveal-their-designs/ |archive-date=22 February 2021 |access-date=2021-12-19 |language=en-GB}}

• Alstom{{Cite web |date=5 June 2019 |title=Alstom unveils proposed HS2 train design |url=https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2019/6/alstom-unveils-proposed-hs2-train-design |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Alstom |language=en}}
• Bombardier Transportation and Hitachi Rail. This partnership built Frecciarossa 1000 high-speed trains in Italy. Bombardier was later acquired by Alstom, making the bid a partnership between Alstom and Hitachi.{{cite web |date=29 January 2021 |title=Alstom completes acquisition of Bombardier Transportation |url=http://www.railway-technology.com/news/alstom-acquisition-bombardier-transportation/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205025545/http://www.railway-technology.com/news/alstom-acquisition-bombardier-transportation/ |archive-date=5 February 2021 |access-date=2021-12-19 |website=www.railway-technology.com |language=en-GB}}
• CAF - based on its Oaris platform.
• Talgo - based on the AVRIL platform.{{Cite web |date=7 June 2019 |title=Talgo confirms AVRIL as the basis of its HS2 bid – Talgo |url=https://www.talgo.com/en/talgo-confirms-avril-as-the-basis-of-its-hs2-bid |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250122205133/https://www.talgo.com/en/talgo-confirms-avril-as-the-basis-of-its-hs2-bid |archive-date=2025-01-22 |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=Talgo |language=}}
• Siemens - based on the Velaro Novo.{{Cite web |title=Velaro Novo - Expert interview with Jo Hensher and Nigel Broughton on high-speed transportation in the UK |url=https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:31016626-471b-4d05-992d-bbe224b787b8/mo-velaro-novo-expert-interview-hensher-broughton-en.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240511163419/https://assets.new.siemens.com/siemens/assets/api/uuid:31016626-471b-4d05-992d-bbe224b787b8/mo-velaro-novo-expert-interview-hensher-broughton-en.pdf |archive-date=11 May 2024 |website=Siemens Mobility}}

In the previously planned phase 2b, a number of 'captive' trains (unable to use the existing rail network) may have been ordered to operate alongside the conventional compatible trains, with a similar loading gauge to existing European high speed trains.

On 9 December 2021, the contract was awarded to the Hitachi Rail-Alstom joint venture.{{cite web |title=HS2 Ltd awards landmark rolling stock contracts to Hitachi-Alstom joint venture |url=https://mediacentre.hs2.org.uk/news/hs2-ltd-awards-landmark-rolling-stock-contracts-to-hitachi-alstom-joint-venture |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321052739/https://mediacentre.hs2.org.uk/news/hs2-ltd-awards-landmark-rolling-stock-contracts-to-hitachi-alstom-joint-venture |archive-date=21 March 2022 |access-date=2021-12-19 |website=hs2.org |language=}}

A legal challenge by Talgo was settled out of court.{{cite magazine |last=Kennedy |first=Catherine |date=2021-06-28 |title=HS2 reaches out of court settlement with Talgo in train procurement dispute |url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/hs2-reaches-out-of-court-settlement-with-talgo-in-train-procurement-dispute-28-06-2021/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210628073006/https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/hs2-reaches-out-of-court-settlement-with-talgo-in-train-procurement-dispute-28-06-2021/ |archive-date=28 June 2021 |access-date=2021-12-19 |magazine=New Civil Engineer |language=en}}

Siemens sought an injunction to stop the contract being awarded, claiming Hitachi and Alstom were only able to make the lowest offer because they had not kept to the tender conditions, and later sought damages.{{Cite news |date=2021-12-10 |title=Siemens scraps legal challenge to British train order |language= |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/siemens-scraps-legal-challenge-british-train-order-2021-12-10/ |url-status=live |access-date=2021-12-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211210065221/https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/siemens-scraps-legal-challenge-british-train-order-2021-12-10/ |archive-date=10 December 2021}} It has been reported that this is to help it secure contracts for other elements of the HS2 project.{{Cite news |last=Gill |first=Oliver |date=2021-12-09 |title=Germany's Siemens abandons HS2 contract battle |language= |work=The Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/12/09/germanys-siemens-drops-hs2-legal-challenge-target-500m-signalling/ |url-status=live |access-date=2021-12-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211219014707/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2021/12/09/germanys-siemens-drops-hs2-legal-challenge-target-500m-signalling/ |archive-date=19 December 2021 |issn=0307-1235}} The case brought by Siemens was dismissed by the High Court, and judged it was "not entitled to any damages".{{Cite web |date=2023-11-06 |title=Siemens Mobility Ltd v High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd [2023] EWHC 2768 (TCC) |url=https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/TCC/2023/2768.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240510111648/https://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWHC/TCC/2023/2768.pdf |archive-date=2024-05-10 |archive-format=PDF |website=BAILII |format=PDF}}

The contract was to be awarded in spring 2020, but was delayed due to delays to the start of HS2 construction. The contract was then scheduled for October 2021 but was not awarded until December 2021 as it awaited government approval.

File:Frecciarossa 1000.tif

The contract to build the trains for the 54 conventional compatible trains is worth £1.97{{nbsp}}billion, which includes an initial 12-year maintenance contract for the trains, with the option to extend this to the design life of the trains (of 35 years).{{Cite web |title=Hitachi and Alstom win order to build and maintain High Speed Two trains in Britain |url=https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2021/12/hitachi-and-alstom-win-order-build-and-maintain-high-speed-two-trains |access-date=2022-07-06 |website=Alstom |language=en}}

Vehicle body assembly and initial fitting out of the trains will take place at the Hitachi Newton Aycliffe factory, the bogies will be manufactured at the Alstom factory in Crewe, and final assembly and fit-out, including the interiors, electronics and bogies, will take place at Alstom's factory in Derby.{{cite web |date=9 December 2021 |title=Hitachi and Alstom win order to build and maintain High Speed Two trains in Britain |url=https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/hitachi-rail-global/pressreleases/hitachi-and-alstom-win-order-to-build-and-maintain-high-speed-two-trains-in-britain-3149776 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209111722/https://www.mynewsdesk.com/uk/hitachi-rail-global/pressreleases/hitachi-and-alstom-win-order-to-build-and-maintain-high-speed-two-trains-in-britain-3149776 |archive-date=9 December 2021 |access-date=2021-12-18 |website=Mynewsdesk |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=9 December 2021 |title=HS2 trains to be built in County Durham bringing jobs to the region |work=ITV News |url=https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2021-12-09/hs2-trains-to-be-built-in-county-durham-bringing-jobs-to-the-region |url-status=live |access-date=18 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209110727/https://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/2021-12-09/hs2-trains-to-be-built-in-county-durham-bringing-jobs-to-the-region |archive-date=9 December 2021}}

The trains will feature regenerative braking and Hitachi Rail's low noise pantograph, whilst also being 15% lighter and feature 30% more seats than comparable high speed trains in Europe.{{cite web |last=Sapién |first=Josephine Cordero |date=2021-12-09 |title=BREAKING: Alstom and Hitachi Win HS2 Rolling Stock Contract |url=https://railway-news.com/breaking-alstom-and-hitachi-win-hs2-rolling-stock-contract/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211209174747/https://railway-news.com/breaking-alstom-and-hitachi-win-hs2-rolling-stock-contract/ |archive-date=9 December 2021 |access-date=2021-12-19 |website=Railway-News}}{{cite magazine |last=Kennedy |first=Catherine |date=2021-12-09 |title=HS2's £2bn train contracts finally awarded after Covid delays and legal wrangling |url=https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/hs2s-2bn-train-contracts-finally-awarded-after-covid-delays-and-legal-wrangling-09-12-2021/ |access-date=2021-12-19 |magazine=New Civil Engineer |language=en}} The trains will also be the fastest trains in the United Kingdom and in Europe.{{Cite web |date=9 December 2021 |title=Hitachi and Alstom win order to build and maintain High Speed Two trains in Britain |url=https://www.hitachi.eu/en/press/hitachi-and-alstom-win-order-build-and-maintain-high-speed-two-trains-britain/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240412210617/https://www.hitachi.eu/en/press/hitachi-and-alstom-win-order-build-and-maintain-high-speed-two-trains-britain/ |archive-date=12 April 2024 |website=Hitachi}}

Standard class seats will have 87 cm of leg room, and seats will recline without encroaching on other passengers' space. Each seat will have a fold-down table, a shelf for small items, a reading light with three brightness settings, a coat hook, a USB-C and three-pin plug sockets. The glass used for overhead luggage racks will be frosted, unlike recent British trains.{{Cite web |last=Torr |first=George |date=2024-10-19 |title=HS2 interiors to be built by Derby train-maker Alstom unveiled |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cz04vyvj05go |access-date=2025-05-18 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}} Trains will have slightly more headroom than on current British trains, with mechanical equipment taking up less space. Each train will have 4 bookable bicycle spaces.{{Cite news |last=Topham |first=Gwyn |last2= |first2= |date=2024-10-18 |title=‘Best-in-class’ seats and no bog-standard loos: first look at HS2 train interiors |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/oct/19/best-in-class-seats-and-no-bog-standard-loos-first-look-at-hs2-train-interiors |access-date=2025-05-18 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}

The interior layout will be decided following a two and a half year design process involving HS2 Ltd, the Department for Transport and the West Coast Partnership.{{Cite web |date=9 December 2021 |title=Government awards HS2 rolling stock contract |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-awards-hs2-rolling-stock-contract |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}

The trains became the first in the world to achieve the BSI's PAS 2080 global accreditation for meeting environmental targets to reduce carbon emissions, such as by improving aerodynamics, using energy-efficient traction systems and lightweight, recycled content.{{Cite web |title=HS2 trains gain global recognition for reduced carbon impacts |url=https://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/articles/hs2-trains-gain-global-recognition-reduced-carbon-impacts |access-date=2023-09-04 |website=Rail Technology Magazine |language=en}}

Beginning in 2024, market research with user groups was undertaken, including with wooden mock-ups of the trains. Trains will begin production in 2027.{{Cite web |title=Trains |url=https://www.hs2.org.uk/building-hs2/trains/ |access-date=2025-05-17 |website=HS2 |language=en-GB}} They will enter service when the HS2 line opens between 2029 and 2033.{{Cite web |last=Benson |first=Michael |last2=Rankl |first2=Felicia |last3=Stewart |first3=Iona |date=12 December 2024 |title=High Speed Rail 2 – an overview |url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-9313/ |website=House of Commons Library}}

{{reflist}}

• {{Commons category-inline|HS2 rolling stock}}

{{High Speed 2 articles}}

Category:High-speed trains of the United Kingdom

Category:Alstom multiple units

Category:Hitachi multiple units

Category:25 kV AC multiple units