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England’s Virgin Trains Nov. 23 exercised a $63 million option with Alstom Transport for an additional 44 coaches for use on the railway operator’s West Coast line, bringing the total number ordered to 53 x 9 tilting trains.

Virgin Trains plans to introduce the electric trainsets on its 550-mile line next summer, eventually raising the number of daily passengers Virgin can accommodate from 25 million in 1999 to 55 million in 2005.

And, with significant track and signaling work also under way, Virgin Trains plans to operate its trains at more than 125 mph by 2002, then to 140 mph.

Angel Trains is financing the 44 additional coaches; a delivery schedule is yet to be agreed upon.