Bid launched to run 125mph tilting train on East Coast line

A HIGH-speed tilting train could run on the East Coast main line after an ambitious bid was launched to operate the 125mph service from next summer.

Under the plan, franchise operator East Coast would take delivery of the new 11-carriage Pendolino train in July next year and use it in daily passenger service, principally between London and Edinburgh, for nine months.

It would provide a much- needed boost for the company, which has seen its poor punctuality steadily worsen since being taken into public ownership last year.

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Last month it was revealed to have the worst punctuality record in the country, with more than one out of every 10 trains arriving late. New figures from Network Rail show its record has got worse, with only 84.7 per cent of East Coast trains running on time from June 27 to July 24.

The new Pendolino, being built in Italy by manufacturer Alstom, is capable of speeds of up to 140mph, although it will be restricted to 125mph on the East Coast line.

Nine-carriage Pendolinos already operate on the West Coast main line.

East Coast chairman Elaine Holt said: "I'm very pleased that East Coast has been asked to commission the new Pendolino on the East Coast line.

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"While a final decision has not yet been made, if it goes ahead the train would add extra capacity to our fleet and we're sure our customers would appreciate the comfort and facilities that the new Pendolino has to offer."

The latest information from Network Rail reveals the national average for punctuality is 92.6 per cent.

The best performing train company last month was Merseyrail, which ran 96.2 per cent of trains on time.

Apart from East Coast, the only companies to achieve less than at least a 91 per cent figure for trains on time were National Express East Anglia (88.9 per cent), Virgin Trains (89.1 per cent) and First Capital Connect (89.4 per cent).

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Network Rail acknowledged that the comparatively low East Coast figure was in part due to an attempted suicide in County Durham and an overhead wire problem near Welwyn in Hertfordshire.

The East Coast line has been operated in the public sector since last year after transport giant National Express gave up the franchise.

Now run by the Government company Directly Operated Railways, it will be returned to the private sector and has attracted interest from a number of firms, including Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Trains company.

A formal invitation for tenders is expected this autumn.