THE first full-size example of the trains which are being built by Siemens for Thameslink goes on show in London's Docklands today.
Two Class 700 vehicles have been unveiled at the ExCel exhibition centre, following a ceremony in which rail minister Stephen Hammond was joined by Steve Scrimshaw of Siemens UK and David Statham, managing director of the present operator First Capital Connect.
The Class 700 is 25 per cent lighter than current rolling stock, making it more agile and also saving on energy. The trains will be required to provide a service through the core Thameslink section in central London at 2.5 minute headways -- or 24 trains an hour -- and will start to enter service in 2016.
The amount of time taken to stop at stations will be crucial, and the movement of passengers on and off has been made easier by wide doors and generously-sized vestibules.
Because space is necessary to cope with the expected heavy demand, especially in the central area, each train will include a section of 2+1 seating and many standard class seats are 'airline' style.
The designers of the train were faced with the need to provide a compromise, because the Thameslink sets will provide a high frequency Metro service but must also cater for longer-distance passengers, including those travelling to the two airports on the route at Gatwick and Luton.
Rail minister Stephen Hammond said: “We are transforming our railways through the biggest programme of rail investment ever. These exciting new trains, combined with the wider Thameslink Programme are a real boost to UK Plc, creating thousands of jobs in construction and across the supply chain, which is driving forward our economy.
“Once operational they will provide a huge benefit to the hundreds of thousands of passengers who travel into London every day. It will vastly improve train travel providing fast, reliable and more frequent services.”
The arrival of the first train, even though it is a demonstration model, has been delayed by the complexity of the contract. Siemens was controversially named as preferred bidder in mid-2011, but the contract was not agreed for a further two years. The award of the £1.6 billion order to Siemens was followed by protests in Derby, where the city's train builder Bombardier came second.
However, hopes have been rising in Derby recently, where Bombardier is one of three shortlisted contenders for the £1 billion contract to build the Crossrail fleet. An announcement is expected in early February.