£6bn Thameslink upgrade will see 1,200 extra train carriages

The first new carriages will arrive in 2015

A £6bn Thameslink upgrade will see rail passengers benefit from 1,200 new carriages.

The upgrade will almost double the peak-time capacity on Thameslink's core central London section, allow longer trains to run and provide new fast and frequent London connections to towns and cities both north and south of the capital.

The trains will also be lighter, more reliable and more energy efficient.

The first new carriages will arrive in 2015.

The contract will create up to 2,000 new UK jobs. The Thameslink infrastructure works will employ an additional 3,000 people at the height of construction.

Siemens Plc and XL Trains, a consortium comprising of Siemens Project Ventures GmbH, Innisfree Ltd and 3i Infrastructure Plc, have been appointed preferred bidder to build, own, finance and maintain the new trains.

Theresa Villiers said: "The new trains are a major part of the Government’s commitment to introduce an additional 2,100 carriages on to the rail network by 2019."

"The Thameslink Programme includes major improvements to central London stations such as Blackfriars, Farringdon and London Bridge. Passengers will also get the benefit of a new generation of electric commuter trains operating at metro-style frequency levels during the morning and evening peaks through the central section."

Further information:
Department for Transport