Melksham rail firm Knorr-Bremse has agreed a £36m contract with Hitachi Rail Europe to supply a new brake system for their new intercity trains.

The system will be installed in the new Hitachi Class 800 series, which from 2017 will replace the Intercity 125 fleet on the Great Western main line.

The trains will be used on long distance routes from London to Aberdeen, Bristol, Cardiff and Edinburgh, and on the east coast mainline services from 2018.

Knorr-Bremse employs 250 staff in Melksham, and a further 30 in Corsham, who will be building the braking system and providing technical support for it over the next 28 years.

Paul Goodhand, Knorr-Bremse MD, and Keith Jordan, MD of Hitachi Rail Europe, signed the deal in Melksham last week.

Mr Goodhand said: “We are all delighted to become partners with Hitachi Rail Europe and we have already formed a close working relationship with this dynamic company.

“We are committed and indeed look forward, to supporting Hitachi Rail Europe in their UK manufacturing efforts, not only on the initial supply and commissioning of the brake system on this exciting new train, but also on providing support through its entire life cycle.”

About 600 new trains will have the Knorr-Bremse brake system. They will be built at the Hitachi Rail Europe’s factory at Newton Aycliffe, in Durham.

Mr Jordan said: “By partnering with Knorr-Bremse, we believe that we have found the right company to help us to achieve our goals.

"Bringing the right level of reliability and technical compliance, coupled with UK experience and a low life cycle cost, the Knorr-Bremse brake systems will contribute to the long-term success of the Hitachi Class 800 trains.”