China is set to supply new trains to Europe for the first time since it opened its economy to the west in 1978. Grand Central, a small British train operator, has said it is preparing to order three Chinese-built high-speed trains for a new London-Sunderland rail line.
Grand Central's announcement on Monday follows years of efforts by Chinese manufacturers to break into the world's most important passenger train market and is likely to increase concern among established European manufacturers about their ability to compete with lower-cost Chinese products.
The three high speed-trains will be used for a newly launched direct rail service between London and Sunderland. The rolling stock trains will be a direct replacement for Grand Central's 25-year old, re-built HST (High Speed Train) units and will be capable of 140mph operation to ensure it can take advantage of any future line speed increases on the East Coast Main Line.
The three trains are manufactured by two unnamed Chinese state-owned companies, which are chosen based on design, track record and competitive price, newspapers reported. Each train is designed to run on diesel at an average speed of 140 miles per hour.
Grand Central plans to sign the contract soon with the Chinese companies and the orders will be placed in July when the new line service starts. The three new trains will be delivered by 2010.
UK's Department for Transport is looking at using different Chinese trains - which could be cheaper to build and buy - for regional rail services in the country.
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