You are in > manchester.com  > News > Tilting trains for Manchester-London line commissioned

General Manchester news

Tilting trains for Manchester-London line commissioned

08/05/2008

The government claims to have taken a "substantial step forward" in providing 106 new tilting Pendolino trains and carriages from London to Manchester.

Ministers have struck a deal with a carriage manufacturer to produce the new stock, which will ultimately deliver more than 7,420 additional seats on the West Coast Mainline.

The new trains and carriages should be ready by the end of 2012 and there is the possibility than dozens more carriages will be commissioned for the following year.

Transport secretary Ruth Kelly said: "Our priority for the railways is increasing capacity and this will provide much needed extra seats on the busiest services.

"In addition, the £8.8 billion upgrade of the West Coast Mainline will cut journey times and deliver more frequent services."

It was reported in March that the Mersey Partnership is examining the possibility of introducing a 300 mph rail link that could transport passengers from Manchester to Liverpool in ten minutes.