Tri-mode trains to roll out on UK railways

The UK’s first fleet of tri-mode trains, which can run on overhead and third-rail electric lines and their own power, will arrive next year.

Following a deal between Porterbrook Leasing and Great Western Railway, 19 Class 769 Flex trains will be introduced onto the GWR network from Spring 2019.

The innovative trains will also feature free wifi, power at every seat, and air conditioning. They will be used primarily on routes between Reading and Gatwick, and Reading and Oxford, but because of their tri-mode capabilities they offer a high amount of flexibility.

Mary Grant, the CEO of Porterbrook, said the trains would offer GWR “greater operational flexibility with reduced operating costs,” and create skilled engineering jobs across the UK supply chain.

“We are already delivering the biggest fleet upgrade in a generation across the Great Western network, but today’s news shows we have not stopped looking at ways to improve our service for customers by adding extra capacity to our network,” said GWR managing director, Mark Hopwood.