RAIL travellers in the South West are to benefit from a scheme to modernise the high speed train fleet with more seats and services. 

Great Western Railway has announced it will be adding to a fleet of new Intercity Express trains due into service this summer.

New Intercity Express Trains, specifically designed for Devon and Cornwall, will bring up to 24 per cent more seats than the High Speed Train it replaces and reduce journeys to and from Penzance to London by up to 14 minutes.

Work is already under way to convert former eight-carriage high speed trains to four-carriage Class 43 Castle trains, to operate services between Exeter and Penzance, which will help double the frequency of services on the Cornish main line.

The work will see the sets made more accessible and modernised. 

Decade-old slam doors will be replaced with modern, automated, sliding doors; toilet retention tanks will be fitted and an improved passenger information system introduced.

GWR commercial development director Matthew Golton said: ‘These trains will replace smaller, less powerful trains on this part of the network; doubling the number of seats as part of our commitment to improving rolling stock across every part of our network.

‘They will work alongside the new Intercity Express Trains due this summer; helping us to double the frequency of services to and from the South West and improve capacity on suburban commuter services.’

GWR managing director Mark Hopwood said: ‘Just last month we saw the first two of our brand new Intercity Express Trains for Devon and Cornwall roll off the production line at Hitachi’s factory in Italy. This summer they will start to enter service, delivering a step change in passenger transport.’

Network Rail route managing director Mark Langman said: ‘Passengers in Devon and Cornwall will benefit from more frequent services and a more reliable railway as we continue to deliver our Railway Upgrade Plan. 

‘These improvements not only benefit passengers but also support local communities and enable the growth of the local economy.’

Forty-eight passenger carriages and 24 power cars are being updated, to make 11 sets, with four spare, as part of a wider national programme to modernise the High Speed Train.

The completed first train set is currently being tested in the South West and is expected to provide an Exeter to Penzance shuttle later this week, more than doubling the number of seats per train.

With all modifications complete, the trains will also be extended to serve the route from Penzance to Cardiff, and to bolster peak time services between Gloucester and Taunton.

The Class 43 Castle trains will be maintained at GWR’s depot at Laira, Plymouth.