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HS2 reveals for the first time what the train’s interior will look like
The inside of a future HS2 train carriage to be built in Derby has been unveiled for the first time.
HS2 Ltd has revealed a test design for a high-speed train that it hopes will be the most comfortable seats on British rail services.
According to the full-size concept at train manufacturer Alstom’s factory in Richchurch Lane, the standard class seats will have what the company calls “market-leading” legroom of 87cm.
James Dawson, senior vehicle engineer at HS2 Ltd, said the service’s aim was to have “the most comfortable seats on British trains”.
Airline-style seats give each passenger easy access to a large folding table, a shelf for small electronics, a reading light with three brightness settings, a coat rack, a USB-C socket, and two 3-pin plug sockets. can be accessed. The latest version shows.
The bottom of the HS2 seat slides forward, allowing it to recline without disturbing the space for the person behind you.
Passengers on some existing trains operated by operators such as Thameslink and Great Western Railway have complained that the thin seat padding makes them uncomfortable on long journeys, likening them to ironing boards. states.
Mr Dawson added: “We are aware that there have been issues with some recent seats and we know what went wrong and why.
“Start by looking inside the cushion to make sure it’s comfortable and durable, and checking the shape of the backrest.
“We have taken all the feedback from all user groups and have made, and will continue to make, tweaks to the design to reflect that feedback.”
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A full-size mock-up of the interior of an HS2 train has been built at Alstom’s factory in Derby for people to test.
The design process for the HS2 fleet began in 2022 after signing a £1.9bn contract with a joint venture between Alstom and Hitachi to design, build and maintain 54 high-speed trains across three locations in the UK.
Final assembly including the shell at Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe factory, the wheels and axles known as bogies at Alstom’s facility in Crewe, and the interior at the historic Derby factory.
After consulting with more than 100 people with various needs, including parents with small children, cyclists, and wheelchair users, we created a mock-up of the train car section.
Further testing will lead to further adjustments before a final design is created in early 2026.
The onboard toilets will be equipped with a number of features aimed at solving problems faced by passengers on many existing services.
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Airline-style seats give each passenger access to a large folding table, a shelf for small electronics, a reading light with three brightness settings, a coat rack, a USB-C socket, and two 3-pin plug sockets. can.
A shelf allows you to store your bags and prevents them from coming into contact with wet floors.
The information screen will display the number of minutes before the train will arrive at the next station, and there will also be a pull-down seat for parents to restrain their children while they use the restroom.
The glass on the overhead luggage racks in the main parts of the vehicle is frosted glass.
This is due to privacy concerns on some existing trains, where frosted glass can reflect the screens of electronic devices and make them visible to other passengers.
HS2 trains offer reservable spaces for bicycles, wheelchairs and folded strollers, horizontal boarding at HS2 stations, and more headroom than usual due to more equipment being stored under the floor and at the ends of the carriages. is ensured.
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Conducted consultations with over 100 people with various needs
