THE first rolling stock made by a trainbuilder at its £82m North-East plant has entered service.

Hitachi Rail Europe says trains carried passengers on the Great Western route yesterday.

The business, based in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, has supplied an initial seven trains, with another 50 intercity models due to be introduced between now and the end of 2018.

The company is also making stock for the East Coast main line and last week gave a glimpse of the first commuter trains made at its Aycliffe factory, which will be used on lines in Scotland.

Karen Boswell, managing director, said: “We are really proud to have built trains in the UK that are improving passengers’ journeys.

“We’ve delivered pioneering 21st Century trains for passengers to enjoy and sparked a manufacturing renaissance in the North-East.”

Hitachi’s Great Western work forms part of the Government’s Intercity Express Programme, which includes a sister order to supply 65 trains to Virgin Trains East Coast from late next year.

The company’s order book also features a deal to supply the FirstGroup TransPennine Express franchise, which links the North-East with Manchester and Scotland, with 19 five-car trains from 2019.