A TRAINBUILDER has been told it needs to expand just over a year after bringing rail manufacturing back to its birthplace.

Hitachi Rail Europe launched its maiden creation yesterday - the first of its new Intercity Express Trains.

The train has been built at the firm's £82m plant in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, which was opened last September.

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, Northern Powerhouse minister Andrew Percy and Japanese ambassador to the UK Koji Tsuruoka were present at the event to celebrate the train's historic launch, which will enter service on the Great Western Mainline next year.

Further trains on the East Coast line will be launched in 2018, and bosses said there will be 281 Hitachi-built trains in operation by 2020.

Mr Grayling said the event marked an historic day for the British railway.

“I have just returned from a trip to Japan and in Tokyo, the words on everyone’s lips were Newton Aycliffe, such is the importance of today’s launch.

“I am really pleased with what has been achieved - this new IEP technology is adding a British element to what has been designed in Japan."

Mr Tsuruoka said he expects work at the Aycliffe plant to continue for decades to come, adding the plant will need to expand to deal with future orders.

“It is too small at present, I think it will expand in the years to come.

“This is a local company relying on a quality supply of a local workforce.

“Without these young, skilled workers, a successful workforce cannot be maintained.

“Hitachi’s base in the North-East – the birthplace of the railways - is important for future ties between Japan and the UK" he added.

Hitachi is making 122 trains for the Great Western and East Coast Main Line routes as part of the Government’s Intercity Express Programme, as well as stock for Scottish routes, which will run on electrified lines between Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Mr Grayling added: “The new trains will provide a step change in passenger experience across the Great Western network, and will result in more frequent and faster journeys, and an increase in seats available.

“These, and a range of further passenger benefits, will enable communities and businesses across the Great Western network to prosper."

Karen Boswell, managing director of Hitachi Rail Europe, said the birthplace of the railways had now become the “centrepiece.”

“Today is a culmination of all the hard work and dedication the Newton Aycliffe workers have shown.

“Newton Aycliffe has become a hub of innovation and today we can reveal the first product of that investment.

“Above all else, it is a flag baring moment for the rail industry and it is proof the industry can be a success story.

The Northern Echo revealed last month Hitachi will have almost 900 staff working at its plant by Easter.

Earlier this year, bosses also confirmed the train builder had formed a joint venture with Bombardier in an attempt to secure a contract to make thousands of London Underground cars, potentially bringing a significant amount of work to Newton Aycliffe.

Ms Boswell was optimistic about Hitachi's future, despite previous post-Brexit concerns.

"Hitachi had been very clear that it did not want to leave the European Union, but it is important that we put ourselves in a position to influence the decisions that are made.

“We need access to the single market to trade cost effectively.

“Train building is not a short term business. We’ve got some great contracts, and we’ve got our joint venture with Bombardier which we are very excited about."

Andrew Percy, Northern Powerhouse Minister, said the launch, alongside Nissan's recent commitment to Sunderland, showed the North-East was "leading by example"post-Brexit.

"The people in the North-East voted to leave the EU, and now the region us maximising all the opportunities to make a success of it."

Ms Boswell added: “If the region can build steam engines and 21st century trains, what else can it achieve?

“The question excites of all us – anything is possible in my opinion."