Agility Trains

Agility Trains is a British railway rolling-stock consortium formed to bid for and deliver the United Kingdom Department for Transport's Intercity Express Programme (IEP). The programme was launched to procure a new generation of long-distance trains, initially replacing parts of the ageing InterCity 125 fleet on the Great Western Main Line and East Coast Main Line. Agility Trains was established in June 2008 by Hitachi, John Laing and Barclays Private Equity for the purpose of submitting a joint bid covering train design, manufacture, financing and long-term maintenance. The consortium's proposal centred on Hitachi's high-speed AT300 train family, which became the Class 800 and Class 801 fleets. These trains were designed to provide more capacity, shorter journey times and improved environmental performance compared with the InterCity 125 trains they were intended to replace. The commercial structure extended beyond simple train procurement: Agility Trains was associated with the financing and ownership of the rolling stock, while Hitachi supplied the technology and manufacturing capability and railway operators ran passenger services. Agility Trains became the government's preferred bidder in February 2009. The final contract, announced in 2012, covered the production and maintenance of trains for the Great Western and East Coast routes and was reported at £4.5 billion. Delivery of the programme required substantial supporting infrastructure, including Hitachi's new rolling-stock manufacturing facility at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham and a network of new or upgraded maintenance depots. Most train assembly took place in the United Kingdom using Japanese-built bodyshells. The first IEP train entered passenger service on the Great Western Main Line in October 2017. East Coast services followed in May 2019, with the trains operating on routes from London King's Cross including services to Leeds. The fleets are commonly associated with the Class 800 and Class 801 designations and, when operated by LNER, with the Azuma brand. The consortium's ownership changed after the contract was awarded. AXA acquired part of John Laing's interest in 2018, and John Laing announced the sale of its remaining stake to AIP Management in 2020. In 2021, GLIL Infrastructure acquired a 30 percent interest from Hitachi, leaving Hitachi with 40 percent and giving GLIL and AIP 30 percent each according to the cited account. The reference material also describes the consortium as presently comprising Hitachi, AXA UK and GLIL Infrastructure, but does not provide a complete, independently verified current ownership schedule. Agility Trains is best understood as a project and asset-ownership consortium rather than a consumer-facing railway operator or a conventional train manufacturer.

Agility Trains emerged from the United Kingdom's Intercity Express Programme, a Department for Transport initiative launched in 2005 to renew long-distance railway rolling stock. The initial objective was to replace ageing InterCity 125 trains serving the Great Western Main Line and East Coast Main Line, with the scope later encompassing additional replacement requirements. The Department for Transport issued an invitation to tender in November 2007 to three shortlisted bidding groups: Alstom-Barclays Rail Group; Express Rail Alliance, involving Bombardier, Siemens, Angel Trains and Babcock & Brown; and Agility Trains. Agility Trains was created in June 2008 by Hitachi, John Laing and Barclays Private Equity as a joint bidding vehicle. Its proposal combined Hitachi's rolling-stock technology with private-sector infrastructure and financing expertise. The bid was based on trains derived from Hitachi's AT300 family, subsequently designated Class 800 and Class 801 in the United Kingdom. Agility Trains became the government's preferred bidder on 12 February 2009, with a Siemens-Bombardier group identified as reserve bidder. At that stage, the wider programme was reported as having an estimated value of approximately £7.5 billion, including replacement of both InterCity 125 and InterCity 225 fleets. The final agreement was narrower and was announced in 2012 at a reported £4.5 billion. It covered the production and maintenance of trains intended for the Great Western and East Coast routes. Implementation involved more than the construction of trainsets. Hitachi established a new manufacturing site at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham, and new or upgraded depots were developed to support fleet maintenance. Most assembly occurred in the United Kingdom, while bodyshells were manufactured in Japan. The first IEP train left Hitachi's Kasado factory in January 2015 for shipment to Britain. Passenger operation began on the Great Western Main Line in October 2017 and on the East Coast Main Line in May 2019. The resulting fleets were operated by railway companies rather than by Agility Trains itself. They became associated with the Class 800 and Class 801 families, including trains branded Azuma by London North Eastern Railway. Agility Trains' principal function was therefore the commercial and asset structure around the fleet: arranging procurement and financing, holding or participating in ownership of the rolling stock, and supporting long-term maintenance obligations. Ownership evolved after the consortium's formation. In 2018, AXA announced the purchase of half of John Laing Group's interest. In 2020, John Laing announced that it would sell its remaining stake to AIP Management for £421 million in cash. In November 2021, GLIL Infrastructure acquired a 30 percent interest from Hitachi. The cited account states that Hitachi consequently held 40 percent, while GLIL and AIP each held 30 percent. It also describes the presently constituted consortium as involving Hitachi, AXA UK and GLIL Infrastructure; because the supplied material does not fully reconcile these ownership descriptions, the current legal and economic structure should be treated as requiring verification.

• 2021

  GLIL Infrastructure acquires a stake

  [1]Agility Trainsen.wikipedia.org

  GLIL Infrastructure acquired a 30 percent interest from Hitachi.

• 2020

  John Laing exits its remaining interest

  [1]Agility Trainsen.wikipedia.org

  John Laing announced the sale of its remaining Agility Trains stake to AIP Management.

• 2019

  East Coast Main Line service begins

  [1]Agility Trainsen.wikipedia.org

  The first related train entered service between London King's Cross and Leeds.

• 2018

  AXA acquires part of John Laing's interest

  [1]Agility Trainsen.wikipedia.org

  AXA announced the purchase of half of John Laing Group's shareholding in the consortium.

• 2017

  Great Western Main Line service begins

  [1]Agility Trainsen.wikipedia.org

  The first IEP train entered passenger service on the Great Western Main Line.

• 2015

  First train shipped from Japan

  [1]Agility Trainsen.wikipedia.org

  The first IEP train departed Hitachi's Kasado factory for shipment to the United Kingdom.

• 2012

  Final Intercity Express contract completed

  [1]Agility Trainsen.wikipedia.org

  A final contract reported at £4.5 billion was agreed for trains and maintenance serving the Great Western and East Coast main lines.

• 2009

  Preferred-bidder status awarded

  [1]Agility Trainsen.wikipedia.org

  Agility Trains was selected as preferred bidder for the Intercity Express Programme.

• 2008

  Agility Trains consortium formed

  [1]Agility Trainsen.wikipedia.org

  Hitachi, John Laing and Barclays Private Equity formed Agility Trains to bid for the Intercity Express contract.

• 2007

  Intercity Express tender issued

  [1]Agility Trainsen.wikipedia.org

  The Department for Transport invited three shortlisted groups to bid for the programme.

• 2005

  Intercity Express Programme launched

  [1]Agility Trainsen.wikipedia.org

  The Department for Transport began the programme to procure replacement long-distance trains, initially targeting the InterCity 125 fleet.

Railway rolling-stock procurement, financing, ownership and long-term fleet sustainment

• Intercity high-speed train · 2017

  Class 800

  A bi-mode high-speed train family developed from Hitachi's AT300 platform and supplied through the Intercity Express Programme. Class 800 units can operate using overhead electric power and diesel power, allowing them to serve routes with differing electrification arrangements. They form part of the fleet associated with Agility Trains' procurement, financing and maintenance structure, although Agility Trains did not manufacture or operate the trains itself.

• Electric intercity high-speed train · 2017

  Class 801

  An electrically powered member of the AT300-derived fleet procured through the Intercity Express Programme. Class 801 trains were intended for electrified intercity routes and are closely related to the Class 800 family. Their commercial importance to Agility Trains lies in the associated ownership, financing and long-term maintenance arrangements rather than in direct retail branding.

• Railway rolling-stock asset and leasing programme · 2012

  Intercity Express Programme rolling-stock assets

  The principal offering associated with Agility Trains is the fleet and supporting asset structure delivered for the Department for Transport's Intercity Express Programme. It includes trains, financing and ownership arrangements, and maintenance support for services on the Great Western and East Coast main lines. Passenger operations were undertaken by separate railway operators.

• 2021

  GLIL Infrastructure investmentM&A

  Background

  Agility Trains' ownership continued to evolve as infrastructure investors acquired interests in the railway asset consortium.

  Action taken

  GLIL Infrastructure purchased a 30 percent stake from Hitachi.

  Aftermath

  The cited account states that Hitachi retained 40 percent and GLIL and AIP each held 30 percent. A complete current ownership schedule requires verification.

  Source

• 2020

  John Laing sale to AIP ManagementM&A

  Background

  John Laing continued to reduce its participation in Agility Trains.

  Action taken

  John Laing announced the sale of its remaining stake to AIP Management for cash.

  Aftermath

  AIP Management became a significant consortium participant, although the supplied reference does not fully describe the subsequent legal ownership structure.

  Sale consideration. £421 million (2020 announced transaction)

  Source

• 2018

  AXA purchase of part of John Laing's stakeM&A

  Background

  The consortium's private-sector ownership structure began to change after the Intercity Express contract had been awarded.

  Action taken

  AXA announced that it would acquire half of John Laing Group's shareholding.

  Aftermath

  AXA became a larger participant in the consortium, while John Laing retained a reduced interest at that stage.

  Source

• 2012

  Finalisation of the Intercity Express contractProduct launch

  Background

  Following preferred-bidder selection, the parties negotiated the scope and commercial terms for trains serving the Great Western and East Coast routes.

  Action taken

  Agility Trains and the government finalised a contract covering train production and maintenance.

  Aftermath

  The programme supported construction of Hitachi's Newton Aycliffe factory and new maintenance facilities.

  Contract value. £4.5 billion (2012 finalised contract)

  Source

• 2009

  Selection as preferred bidderStrategy

  Background

  The IEP was intended to replace ageing intercity rolling stock on major British main lines.

  Action taken

  The government selected Agility Trains ahead of the reserve Siemens-Bombardier consortium.

  Aftermath

  The selection led to contract finalisation and the development of new trains, manufacturing capacity and maintenance depots.

  Estimated wider programme value. £7.5 billion (2009 estimate, including replacement of InterCity 125 and InterCity 225 fleets)

  Source

• 2008

  Formation of a joint IEP bidding consortiumStrategy

  Background

  The Department for Transport required a bidder capable of combining train technology, infrastructure expertise and private financing for the Intercity Express Programme.

  Action taken

  Hitachi, John Laing and Barclays Private Equity formed Agility Trains to submit a combined proposal.

  Aftermath

  The consortium became the preferred bidder in 2009 and ultimately secured the contract.

  Source

1. 1Agility Trainsen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Intercity Express Programmeen.wikipedia.org