Vivarail has secured a deal from UK rail operator West Midlands Trains to build three new Class 230 D-Trains, which will be deployed on the Marston Vale line between Bedford and Bletchley.

The contracted trains are scheduled to begin operations this year and will be the first units to be introduced under the new franchise.

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Vivarail’s CEO Adrian Shooter said: “We have invested considerable time and money to bring our innovative D-Train to this point, and we are delighted to be working with West Midlands Trains to introduce them into passenger service.

"Our trains will be built to the high standards West Midlands Trains has committed to and will provide the flagship service for the region."

“As a West Midlands-based company, it will be extremely gratifying to see our trains running on local lines and we look forward to passenger feedback.

“Our trains will be built to the high standards West Midlands Trains has committed to and will provide the flagship service for the region.”

The latest order forms part of West Midlands Trains’ ongoing investment of nearly £700m in new rolling stock.

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The Class 230 vehicles represent the first consignment of more than 400 extra carriages currently planned for addition to the company’s network.

West Midlands Trains customer service director Andrew Conroy said: “These trains are ideal for Bedford to Bletchley route. I am sure our passengers will welcome the new look and feel of the carriages, and the extra space.

“When the new trains come on stream in December we will also be adding extra early morning and late-night services on the Marston Vale line Monday to Saturday.”

Vivarail’s Class 230 locomotives can be configured in ‘City’ and ‘Country’ layouts in order to fulfil the specific requirements of each type of journey.

The vehicles also meet current regulatory standards such as PRM-TSI 2020.