HS2 Ltd has revealed the concept designs for the interior of its Class 895 high-speed trains.
The unveiling is taking place at The Greatest Gathering, a large-scale public exhibition hosted at Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane Works from 1–3 August 2025. This is part of the national Railway 200 celebrations, marking two centuries of modern rail in Britain.
The event brings together an unprecedented collection of historic, modern, and future rail vehicles. For the first time in nearly 50 years, the Derby site has opened its doors to the general public, offering visitors a rare chance to see Britain’s next generation of high-speed rail rolling stock in development.
Visitors to the exhibition are being offered exclusive guided tours of a life-size model carriage, fitted out to demonstrate the interior concept design for HS2’s new trains. The mock-up offers a glimpse into the future of UK intercity travel and highlights the results of extensive user-focused design.
Developed through close collaboration between HS2 Ltd, future operator West Coast Partnership Development (WCPD), and the train’s manufacturers Hitachi-Alstom High Speed (HAH-S), the design prioritises passenger comfort, accessibility, and inclusivity.
Among the key interior features revealed:
- Generous seat pitch in standard class – offering more legroom than any other UK train
- Integrated luggage storage above and below seats, improving access and visibility of personal items
- Fully accessible toilets with audio-visual aids, baby-changing tables, hooks, and child seating
- Advanced charging options at every seat – including 3-pin sockets and USB-C
- Bike storage redesign – allowing faster and easier boarding for cyclists
- Modern tray tables with separate media shelves for phones and devices
Accessibility is central to the design, with level boarding from new HS2 stations, redesigned grab handles, and wheelchair spaces offering seating parity with other passengers. Rigorous user testing has also focused on meeting the needs of a wide range of travellers.
The Class 895 fleet is being built under a 2 billion GBP contract awarded in 2021 to the Hitachi-Alstom High Speed joint venture. The project spans three key UK manufacturing centres:
- Crewe – manufacturing of bogies
- County Durham – bodyshell construction and electrical fit-out
- Derby – interior fit-out at Alstom’s Derby site
Once in operation, the trains will be maintained at a dedicated depot in Washwood Heath, Birmingham, supporting a UK supply chain and creating an estimated 2,500 jobs across the Midlands and North, including new apprenticeships.
