Grand Central, Arriva’s open access operator, has agreed to lease four additional Class 180 trains from Angel Trains, expanding its existing fleet of 10 Class 180s to 14 and marking a major milestone in its plans to launch a new direct rail service between Newcastle and Brighton.
The lease agreement represents a significant step forward for the proposed route, which remains subject to approval by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR).
If approved, the service would become the first direct rail link between the North East and the Sussex coast, providing up to five services a day in each direction and creating new journey opportunities for passengers travelling to destinations including London Gatwick, Durham, York, Darlington and Reading.
Grand Central submitted its application to the ORR in December 2025. The proposed route would offer more than 1,000 seats per day in each direction, improving long-distance connectivity and providing a convenient, lower-carbon alternative to car travel.
As an open access operator, Grand Central works alongside existing rail services, using available network capacity to deliver additional connections and greater choice for passengers at no additional cost to the taxpayer.
Under the agreement, the four five-car Class 180 Adelante trains will enter service with Grand Central following a refurbishment programme at Arriva TrainCare’s Eastleigh Depot, subject to approval of the route.
The trains have been out of service for almost three years. Their refurbishment and reintroduction would support highly skilled rail engineering roles at Eastleigh, while generating further economic benefits across the wider rail supply chain.
The agreement follows Arriva’s £300 million investment in nine new Hitachi Rail tri-mode battery-hybrid trains for Grand Central’s existing routes, announced last year. Together, these investments underline Arriva’s long-term commitment to expanding rail connectivity, attracting more passengers to rail and supporting the decarbonisation of transport.
Chris Brandon, Director at Grand Central, said: “Passengers in York, Darlington and Durham have historically had little choice for their journeys south. It’s either change in London or add hours on to your journey travelling by road.
“People deserve the option to travel directly by rail, and Grand Central has a proud track record of offering underserved communities direct links to other towns and cities, and to areas of opportunity. Our agreement to lease four new trains means we’re one step closer to this route becoming a reality, and we look forward to the ORR’s response.”
Craig Nicolson, Business Development Director at Arriva, said: “Securing these trains is a significant milestone in our plans to deliver a new direct service linking Newcastle and Brighton.
“Subject to ORR approval, this route would connect communities that currently lack a direct rail option, making journeys simpler, faster and more attractive for passengers travelling between the North East, the South Coast and London Gatwick.
“Grand Central has a strong track record of opening up new travel opportunities and improving connectivity where it is needed most. This proposal would build on that legacy while encouraging more people to choose rail as a sustainable alternative to travelling by road.
“The agreement also demonstrates our continued confidence in the growth potential of open access rail services and our commitment to investing in the UK’s railway.”
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