The Hitachi and Alstom consortium contracted to build the high-speed train set for HS2 has asked the public for input on the design of the new vehicle.
From early 2024, various customer groups, from people with disabilities to cyclists to young families, will be invited to experience the Hitachi Alstom High Speed Rail (HAH-S) full-scale wooden train mock-up. Ta. ) We have established our facility in Derby to enable engineers working on projects to understand how comfort and accessibility levels are perceived and can be improved.
Interior mock-up of the new HS2 train – table seats
© HS2 Ltd
feedback process
This process included considering different options in the area of getting in and out, testing handrail positions and restroom layouts, especially for wheelchair users.
Life-size mock-ups have also been created in other sections of the train, including a cafe shop, bicycle storage and stroller storage.
Feedback was collected as part of an improvement process to fine-tune the design to better serve passengers and staff.
Niall Simmons, Hitachi Alstom high-speed co-design manager, said:
“Passenger feedback has been invaluable as we move towards delivering the next generation of high-speed trains for HS2. Their insights have helped us improve expectations for train accessibility, comfort and convenience. Engaging with a diverse range of future passengers, including those who wouldn’t normally consider traveling by rail, will help refine the design to ensure it not only meets, but exceeds. It was pivotal in shaping features that made a real difference to their experience.”
Interior mock-up of the new HS2 train – Inside the vehicle
© HS2 Ltd
Design features
Passengers like to be able to see their luggage while traveling, so both overhead and under-seat storage space is maximized.
The 54-car train offers a variety of options, with a mix of airline-style row seats and four table seats per car. All seats will now be able to recline, impacting the passenger experience for both those sitting in the seat and those sitting in the back seat. A dedicated reading light and coat hook are also provided. The airline-style seats also have smartphone and tablet holders.
As a result of feedback from user group sessions, designers repositioned grab handles near the doors to create a “step-free” solution for passengers at HS2 stations. It is not an HS2 station but a station on the new HS2 Phase 1 line. West Coast Main Line – USB-C sockets and tray tables have been relocated and wheelchair spaces have been adjusted to enhance the ultimate passenger experience.
More user group sessions are planned in the future, during which the passenger seat design will be finalized and the interior LED lighting system will be optimized to ensure that trains have good ambient light throughout the day and throughout the year. You need to be able to do it.
After the design is finalized, production of the vehicle is expected to begin in 2027. The welding and electrical installation of the body shell will be led by Hitachi’s County Durham plant, with the interior delivered by Alstom in Derby. Alstom also manufactures trolleys. This is being done at our own factory in Crewe and is the first time in almost 20 years that the bogies have been manufactured in the UK.
Mockup of external door part
© HS2 Ltd
HS2 Phase 1 is expected to be operational between 2029 and 2033. The operator is West Coast Partnership (WCP).
James Dawson, Senior Vehicle Engineer at HS2 Ltd, said:
“We are making big changes to the passenger experience and making it accessible to everyone, especially those who currently think train travel is not for them or who have never considered train travel in the first place. We designed HS2 to be easy to use.
“We are confident that our collaboration with Hitachi and Alstom, as well as our innovative design and improvement approach, will deliver high-quality products that will stand the test of time.”
