New Gatwick Express trains

It can only be good news for Gatwick Airport (and its passengers) with the announcement last week that Govia Thameslink Rail (GTR) had signed a £145.2m order for 108 new Gatwick Express train carriages. 

These are due to enter service in 2016, replacing the 1980s-built 442 trains which have been operating on the Gatwick Express service since 2008, and will mark the start of a massive investment in new trains by GTR.
 
The 27 four-car Class 387/2s trains will be specially designed for the rail/air route  with easier boarding, better luggage space, two-by-two seating and wi-fi.
 
Charles Horton, CEO of GTR said: “This is great news for our Gatwick passengers, but also for those travelling from Brighton, as in the off-peak some of these trains will be extended to there, while still maintaining the fast connection between Victoria and Gatwick.”
 
The new order comes as GTR celebrated the arrival of the first of another new fleet of new trains, the Class 387/1s.  The fleet of 116 air-conditioned carriages, which will transform Bedford to Brighton services for Thameslink passengers, will be trialled in passenger service throughout December and from the New Year will begin to replace the 27-year-old Class 319 trains currently on this service. It is a boost for both Gatwick and Luton airports. www.govia.info/gtr

Index/Home page
 

OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum