High speed trains due to run on HS2 and further north on the West Coast Main Line will help deliver a "step-change in the passenger experience", engineers have said as detailed designs for the new fleet are finalised.

In the "most extensive project of its kind seen in the UK", the public has been put at the heart of refining designs for the interior of the 54 trains.

Since the start of this year, a range of groups, including those with reduced mobility, cyclists and young families, have been invited to experience life-sized wooden mock-ups of the trains – helping engineers to understand the levels of ease, accessibility and comfort.

HS2 has released a first glimpse at the designs (image via HS2)

Life-sized mock-ups were also made of other sections of the train including, the café, and child buggy storage.

Twenty groups have provided feedback on the designs so far as part of a process organised by WCPD, the train's future operator.

Twenty groups have provided feedback on the designs (image via HS2)

They also used insights from their 'customer community' – a consumer focus group of 5,000 people who have a mix of travelling needs.

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HS2 Ltd senior rolling stock engineer, James Dawson said: "We're designing HS2 to provide a step-change in the passenger experience so that it's accessible to everyone – and especially to people who don't currently think train travel is for them or don't consider in the first place.

"I'm confident that work with both WCPD and HAH-S, plus our innovative design refinement approach, will deliver a quality product that stands the test of time."

Mock ups have been made of various parts of the designs (image via HS2)