Hitachi in the running for HS2 contract

Hitachi has made the shortlist Credit: Hitachi Rail Europe

The government has announced that Hitachi is in the running to become one of the companies that could build the next generation of high speed trains for the HS2 line.

Hitachi, which builds its train at a factory in Newton Aycliffe, is among five companies shortlisted to build trains for the high speed line between London and the North of England.

The shortlisted bidders are:

  • Hitachi Rail Europe

  • Alstom Transport

  • Bombardier Transportation UK Ltd

  • Patentes Talgo S.L.U

  • Siemens PLC

They will all be invited to tender for the contracts, which will cover the design, build and maintenance of at least 54 trains coming into service from 2026.

In a statement, Karen Boswell, Managing Director at Hitachi Rail Europe said: