GREAT WESTERN
MAIN LINE
Agility Trains West entered into a contract with the Department for Transport for the first phase of the Intercity Express Programme, providing 57 trains and associated depot facilities for the Great Western Main Line.
The IEP utilised a structure under which Agility Trains West contracted with the DfT to design, build and finance the trains (and associated depots) and, separately, with the Train Operating Company (Great Western Railway) to introduce them into service and then make them available to the TOC, on a no-train, no-pay basis, thereafter.
The Fleet
Agility Trains West used the Hitachi-made Class 800 bi-mode trains to replace the existing Intercity 125 High Speed Train fleet and to make a daily operational fleet available to the Great Western Railway. The bi-mode trains, which have the ability to operate with either diesel or electric propulsion and hence operate across those parts of the Great Western network which are not electrified, have been provided in 5-car, 9-car and 10-car formations.
Depots
The GWML IEP contract required Agility Trains West, through Hitachi, to construct two new purpose built depot facilities and undertake a major refurbishment of an existing depot facility.
West London (North Pole depot)
The North Pole depot site in West London was previously used for the Eurostar fleet. Agility Trains West has extensively refurbished the mile-long site and established two new connections to the Great Western Main Line.
Bristol (Stoke Gifford depot)
The Stoke Gifford site is located west of Bristol Parkway station and is on a brown field site previously used as a refuse tip. Agility Trains West has redeveloped the site and provided a new purpose built, state-of-the-art depot, incorporating 20 kilometres of new track and three new connections to the Great Western Main Line.
Swansea (Swansea Maliphant depot)
The Swansea Maliphant originated as a combination of operational and disused, derelict sidings. Agility Trains West has redeveloped the site completely to provide a new depot and stabling. Unlike North Pole and Stoke Gifford, the site had to remain operational throughout development and works were undertaken alongside existing train operations.
