Translink has welcomed a group of East Antrim assembly members along with Carrickfergus, Larne and Newtownabbey council representatives to a special new trains preview.
The group visited Translink’s York Road Depot and Fortwilliam Train Care Centre for a special presentation, tour of facilities and preview of the new ‘Class 4000’ train.
To date, three of 20 brand new Translink NI Railways trains have arrived into Northern Ireland and the first train is due to enter passenger service on the Larne Railway Line this autumn. All 20 new trains are due to be in service during 2012.
The preview follows Translink NI Railway’s recent announcement that a record 10.4million passenger journeys were made during 2010/11 – the highest level since the 1960s.
Representing an investment of £114 million funded by the Department for Regional Development, it is expected that the 20 new trains will further boost rail passenger numbers.
Translink’s New trains Two Progamme Manager, James Erwin, said:
“We are delighted to welcome local representatives to this special preview of the new ‘Class 4000’ train. It is a great opportunity to showcase the modern train features, provide a tour of our facilities and an update on the overall progress of our ‘New Trains Two’ programme.
“Translink NI Railways’ ‘Class 4000’ trains are being manufactured to the very latest industry standards in terms of performance, comfort, safety and accessibility.
“The three new trains that have arrived to date are now undergoing an intense period of static and on-track testing before they can enter passenger service.
“We continue to ask the public to remain vigilant during this important project phase as trains are operating day and night across the network at speeds of up to 90 miles per hour.
“We are also underway with a series of associated ‘New Trains’ projects including a series of platform extensions to accommodate longer trains and the construction of a new Train Maintenance Facility,” said James.
Once in service, the new Class 4000 trains will run alongside existing Class 3000 trains previously delivered in 2005 and will mean that Translink NI Railways will operate an entirely modern fleet.
The Class 4000 Trains Are Good.