GWR has launched the first of its bi-mode Class 802 trains into service on August 20 between Paddington and Penzance.
Two of the Hitachi-built five-car trains worked the 07.30 ex-Paddington and 14.00 from Penzance after a press launch between Penzance and Exeter on August 17.
Testing of the trains has been on-going for a year.
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Set Nos. 802003/005 worked the 05.53 Plymouth-London Paddington, while Nos. 802006/007 worked 07.30 London Paddington-Penzance and 14.00 return.
More sets will be rolled out over the coming months.
GWR has 22 five- and 14 nine-car train sets on order, and all, except for the three pre-series units (802001/002, 802101), are being built in Italy.
Read more News and Features in the September issue of The RM – on sale now!