Production of the 52 units by Swiss manufacturer Stadler is currently under way at its factory in Hungary and Merseyrail will put a fully interactive on display in Birkenhead and Liverpool. Tony McDonough reports
Merseyrail is offering members of the public the opportunity to step on board a full-size mock-up of one of its new trains that are due to come into service in 2021.
Production of the 52 units by Swiss manufacturer Stadler is currently under way at its factory in Hungary with the first of the carriages due to arrive in Liverpool in 2019. A replica carriage which is fully fitted out and includes working doors and a driver’s cab has been built and will go on display in Wirral and in Liverpool city centre in October and November.
The detailed and lifelike replica train is fully interactive, with working doors and an automatic sliding step which will bridge the gap between the train and platform edge, making the network more accessible to all users – including wheelchairs users.
Visitors will be able to walk along the open and spacious aisles, try the new wider seats and even take a look at the technology inside the driver’s cab.
Merseyrail stations to close for upgrades ahead of new train fleet – click to read more
Staff will be on hand to talk through the features of the new trains. These features – chosen with the input and guidance of Liverpool city region residents and rail network users – include phone charging points and bike racks. The carriage will be on display at
- Pacific Road, Birkenhead, October 1 to 14, Monday to Sunday, 8am to 5.30pm, Tuesday 8am to 7.30pm
- Liverpool Lime Street, 5-18 November 5 to 18, Monday to Sunday, 7am to 6.30pm
Steve Rotheram, Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor said: “It is fantastic news that our train mock-up will be heading across the water in the next two weeks and to Lime Street in November.
“Before the new trains were designed and ordered, we asked the public what features they would like to see on them. We listened – and because of this – by 2020 we will see the most sophisticated trains in the country arrive on our network.”
For more information about the trains click here.