A rail company’s plans to operate tilting trains between Bradford and London have received a cautious welcome.

As revealed in the Telegraph & Argus, Alliance Rail Holdings plans to run inter-city-style services every two hours between Bradford Interchange and London Euston via Manchester Victoria, Crewe and the West Coast Main Line (WCML).

The company also wants to operate a Hull-to-Liverpool Lime Street service via Bradford every two hours, and a direct service from Skipton and Ilkley to London Kings Cross via the East Coast Main Line (ECML).

It has now emerged that Alliance, owned by Berlin-based Deutsche Bahn, plans to order a fleet of 20 tilting Polaris trains from Chinese firm CSR.

Under the proposals, Alliance wants to run trains with diesel engines that can also use overhead power lines.

“There is nothing like this operating in the UK,” said Alliance Rail’s Chris Brandon.

Other companies are considering modifying existing diesel trains for bi-mode operations.

Among those who have given the proposals their backing is Calderdale Council leader Janet Battye, who said she would be offering the head of Alliance Rail every assistance to deliver improved rail services.

Alliance Rail hopes to submit plans to the Office of Rail Regulation this Spring and, if all goes to plan, some of the proposed services could be up and running by 2013.

Railfuture, an independent voluntary group that provides a voice for rail users, described Alliance Rail’s proposals for bi-mode trains as a “boost” for the north of England.