First British-built Class 800 IEP completed

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THE first UK-built five-car Class 800 IEP has rolled off the production line at Hitachi Rail Europe’s (HRE) new £82million train building factory at Newton Aycliffe.

Set No. 800005 gets glitter covered, emerging from the works at Newton Aycliffe on December 9. Pictures: CHRIS MILNER

It is just 15 months since the then Prime Minister David Cameron formally opened the facility.

Set No. 800005 emerged to a fanfare from the commissioning shed on December 9 before being inspected by guests at a ceremony attended by Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling and Japanese Ambassador to the UK Koji Tsuruoka.

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Alongside in the commissioning shed was set No. 800006, another Newton Aycliffe product.

Hitachi’s 31.5 acre factory, which includes storage sidings and a test track, is situated close to where George Stephenson assembled Locomotion No. 1, the first locomotive to carry passengers on a public rail line.

The emergence of the
British-built first IEP was hailed by HRE managing director Karen Boswell as “a celebration of the return of train manufacturing” to the area.

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