Passengers in the South West are a step closer to experiencing new trains as Hitachi begins testing the Class 802 fleet.

On Tuesday, the first of Great Western Railway’s Intercity Express Trains for Devon and Cornwall carried out test runs in Somerset, between Bruton and Cogload.

Two more trains are due to arrive in the South West within the coming weeks as part of a comprehensive test programme.

From 2018 this fleet will connect London Paddington to Exeter, Plymouth, Penzance and many more communities.