Multibillion-pound trains were withdrawn from some of Britain’s busiest intercity lines after being damaged by the weather, an inquiry has found.
An investigation by the rail watchdog found that cracks in Hitachi-built trains may have been partly caused by their exposure to seawater and rain.
It found that aluminium alloy used in the train body shells could corrode in weather “commonly encountered in the UK”, particularly in coastal areas.
Problems also mounted during cold weather when salt products are used to manage snow and ice on the line, it said.
The conclusions will raise questions over the manufacture of the Class 800 and 385 trains, which had to be pulled from service in May, causing chaos for passengers.
Services on routes operated by Great Western
