Rock Rail East Midlands
Rock Rail was awarded the financing deal for provision of new rolling stock by Abellio UK for use on the East Midlands Railway franchise. Rock Rail led the £400 million transaction with partner Japan Infrastructure Initiative who now merged into Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc., reaching financial close in August 2019, within 22 days of being selected as preferred funder.
The state-of-the-art bi-mode intercity fleet is being manufactured by Hitachi. It will be greener and quieter than the diesel trains it replaces which are some of the oldest diesel vehicles still in use in the UK. The 33 five-carriage units will begin operation in 2022.
As with Rock Rail’s 3 previous new rolling stock deals debt has been provided by UK and international institutional investors.
Benefits
Based on bullet train technology, the new intercity trains will offer significant passenger, operational and environmental benefits:
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More environmentally friendly and quieter than the diesel trains they replace
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Modern comfortable interiors and increased seating capacity
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Free Wi-Fi throughout
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Plug sockets
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Air-conditioning
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Improved ‘7 day’ catering service
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Advanced real-time passenger information systems
