The expensive bits are imported. And I have not heard a single mention of the bodyshells being manufactured at NA since it being built. If Hitachi were to start building the bodyshells at NA I would be confident of NA’s future long term. But because the expensive bits are all imported and with Brexit tariffs on the horizon potentially I’m very sceptical about NA’s long term future. I have read that Hitachi are looking at modifying their 80x to make it better on diesel by adding a another engine under one end of a 5 car. At the end of the day with two enormous orders for UK stock being built in Europe and other orders also being built in Europe that is a huge amount of brand new rolling stock that will be in service for decades that will take work away from UK plants. But those boats have sailed now. The Government are going to have some very uncomfortable headlines in the next few years. That’s on top of the Brexit turmoil!
The body shells are made in Japan not Europe. There is no indication that brexit will lead to trade barriers between Japan and the UK. I doubt there are many (if any) parts that have to be made in Europe. Hitachi can have a significant share of the UK market for the long term and support their home facilities so it is very much in their interests to keep Newton Aycliffe open.
Have you accepted the DFT’s demands that TOCs and manufacturers break the laws of physics? Last I read there were not currently any suitable trains on the market for what the DFT are demanding.
The government has indicated that St Pancras to Bedford wires will be upgraded for 125mph by the time new stock arrives, probably in 2022 or 2023, which would mean 800s would be fine.