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Five companies shortlisted to build trains for HS2

   Rail minister Paul Maynard said the contract will create thousands of
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   The first phase of the high speed railway will open between London and
   Birmingham ( Reuters )

   Five companies have been shortlisted to build 225mph trains for HS2.

   Rail minister Paul Maynard said the £2.75bn contract will create
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   The companies vying for the right to design, build and maintain at
   least 54 new high-speed trains are Alstom Transport, Bombardier
   Transportation UK, Hitachi Rail Europe, Patentes Talgo and Siemens.

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     * Everything you need to know about HS2

   The award of train-building contracts to foreign firms with overseas
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   £490m contract to manufacture trains for Arriva Rail North.

   Some of the entries shortlisted by HS2 already have UK production
   lines.

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   and Liverpool.

   Phase 1 of the £55.7bn high-speed railway will open between London and
   Birmingham in December 2026.

   The new trains will also serve destinations on conventional lines
   beyond the core HS2 network, including York, Newcastle, Liverpool,
   Glasgow and Edinburgh.

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   noise reduction and environmental sustainability.

   Mr Maynard said: "HS2 will see some of the world's fastest trains
   connecting our great cities across the North and Midlands, creating an
   economy that works for everyone.
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   "But announcements like this show how the benefits of HS2 will resonate
   far beyond the opening of the new railway. HS2's legacy of jobs and
   skills is already being created."

   The contract is expected to be awarded in late 2019.

   HS2 Ltd managing director Chris Rayner described the shortlist as "a
   strong line-up of experienced hi-tech manufacturing and design talent".

   He said: "Together with the successful bidder, HS2 will deliver some of
   the world's most advanced rolling stock, engineered to provide
   seamless, accessible, fast and reliable journeys.
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   cities."

   A second Y-shaped phase of HS2 will launch in two stages.

   Phase 2a from the West Midlands to Crewe will begin in 2027, followed
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