Central Trains

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Franchise(s)	Central Trains
Main region(s)	Midlands
Other region(s)	North West, East Anglia
Fleet size	156
Parent company	National Express Group
Other
Website	www.centraltrains.co.uk

Central Trains is a train operating company in the United Kingdom, running local and cross-country trains in central England. The company's operations are centred on Birmingham in the West Midlands.

On 19 October 2004, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling announced that at the end of the current franchise in 2006, Central Trains' routes will be divided between the Silverlink, Chiltern, Virgin Cross Country, Midland Mainline and Northern Rail franchises. The Northampton-Long Buckby-Coventry-Birmingham International-Birmingham New Street service was transfered to Central Trains from Silverlink in late 2004.

Central Trains is owned by the National Express Group.

Fleet

When National Express Group took over Central Trains in 1997, the company started to dispose of its last 1960s 'slam door' trains. By 2000, two years ahead of the Government's deadline, the trains were out of service.

Central Trains have taken delivery of 11 brand-new 100mph class 350 Desiro units for use on the West Coast Mainline between Birmingham and Northampton. The additions are part of a £100 million investment by the company to improve comfort, convenience, speed and accessibility.

The majority of Central Trains' services are operated by diesel trains, due to lines they operate on not being electrified.

File:Central trains 323.jpg

A Class 323 Central Trains electric multiple unit

Diesel Fleet

The company has 130 diesel multiple units of its 156 total. The following types are used:

Electric Fleet

Central Trains have 26 electric multiple units. They consist of the following types:

Network

Central Trains serves 232 stations in the Midlands, North West and East Anglia. The firm operates 193 of these stations. The main towns and cities it serves are:

External links