NEW greener trains have started running on the Gainsborough Line between Marks Tey and Sudbury.

The Swiss-made trains replace the old diesel services on the branch line, which also has stations at Chappel and Bures.

Greater Anglia has splashed out a whopping £1.4billion on its new fleet of 169 ‘bi-mode’ trains, which are powered by diesel and electricity.

The company say the longer trains boast more seats, USB and plug points, free fast wi-fi, air conditioning and better passenger information screens.

They also have retractable steps at every door, making it easier to get on and off with a wheelchair or heavy luggage.

Greater Anglia’s Ian McConnell said: “The first of our new trains went into passenger service in July on our Norwich-Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft routes.

“Today is an important milestone in the rollout of our bi-mode trains which are replacing our old diesel trains, as it’s the tenth and final route where we are starting to run our new bi-mode trains in passenger service.

“Over coming weeks, the transition to all new trains will be complete on Greater Anglia’s diesel rural routes.”

He added: “The new trains are longer and equipped with everything a 21st Century rail passenger expects to make their journey better. They will also ultimately bring us improved reliability.”

The trains were built by Swiss manufacturer Stadler.

Technical project manager Martino Celeghini said: “More bi-modes in passenger service means more trains on the Greater Anglia network that are built to an extremely high standard, promoting passenger comfort and enviable green credentials, and enhancing the customer experience.”

Greater Anglia started running the first of its new intercity trains on the Norwich-London route this month.

By Easter all its old intercity trains will have been replaced with brand new ones, also made by Stadler.

The first of the company’s 111 new electric commuter trains, made by UK-based Bombardier, which will run into Liverpool Street, has also been delivered, ready for testing on the network.