Class 395s line up at London St Pancras International. Picture: www.upmain.com

In pursuit of more European orders, Hitachi is hoping to win a large contract for rolling stock from Societe Nationale des Chemins de Fer Francais (SNCF) as the French rail operator looks to replace its fleet of TGV trains. The move comes just ahead of the official launch of domestic high speed rail travel in the UK, which will take place on December 14th, using 29 Hitachi built class 395s.

SNCF is expected to invite bids next year and Hitachi is also looking to enter the German rolling stock market when tenders are issued for replacing older versions of ICE.

Japanese Shinkansen trains first began operating in 1964 and revolutionised rail travel in Japan. Such was their impact on railway history that one has even been preserved at the National Railway Museum in York.