YORK-BASED rail company Grand Central has signed a lease with Angel Trains for two new class 180 Adelante diesel trains.

The trains will be used on the extra direct daily service from York to London, which was given the final go-ahead last week by the Office of Rail Regulation.

The two new 125mph, five-car trains will join Grand Central’s fleet of high-speed trains and allow the firm to launch its fourth return service in the summer.

Managing director Tom Clift said: “We are very pleased to have concluded these negotiations with Angel Trains for additional trains to operate our extra services between the Durham Coast, Teesside, North Yorkshire and London.”

Meanwhile, the company has announced a new web-based service that allows customers to book competitively priced hotel accommodation and tickets to attractions throughout the UK, including West End shows.

Grand Central has established a partnership with Superbreak, a short-break accommodation provide.

Roger Wheatley, Grand Central’s marketing manager, said: “With increasing demand for Grand Central’s services we wanted to be able to offer a complete travel service to our current and future passengers.”