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LNER Azuma (Class 800/801)

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transmanche

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Big feature on the Azuma introduction on 'Look North' this evening. Positive publicity for LNER.
I don't know what the Leeds and Hull editions of Look North said, but the Newcastle edition stressed that the new trains would not be venturing any further north than Leeds - and that no date had been set for the commencement of services to/from Newcastle and Scotland.

You can view the report on iPlayer for the next day or so, the report starts at 08:13.
 
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Andyh82

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Big feature on the Azuma introduction on 'Look North' this evening. Positive publicity for LNER.

And a nice run through history with Flying Scotsman, Mallard, Deltics, HSTs and 91s.

Indeed, and fully accurate as well, not often you get terms like HST, Class 91, class 800, explanations of bi mode etc, all with the correct imagery on a regional news bulletin.

Almost the first 10 mins of Look North Leeds was taken up by the story
 

td97

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I was told that 800s are now cleared to run on electric from Colton to Darlington. Is this the case and if so why are sets being tested from the south into York still running on diesel?
5Q90 (and I presume 5Q80) was running on electric with pan light visible tonight. Looks like some sort of interference test with 2 closely spaced units.
 

385001

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Due to reach Edinburgh by the end of the year but “continuing difficulties in upgrading the electrified East Coast line mean that the bi-mode trains will largely be using diesel for years to come” according to this article in The Guardian.

Does this mean Edinburgh trains will be electric to Darlington (based on news in post #1189) and then diesel?

https://www.theguardian.com/busines...uma-fleet-ready-for-london-to-leeds-departure


The Guardian said:
First of new Azuma trains ready for London to Leeds departure

LNER chief welcomes ‘more reliable, stylish, eco friendly and accessible’ service


Gwyn Topham Transport correspondent
Published: 16:48 Tuesday, 14 May 2019

The first of a new fleet of Azuma trains to enter regular service carrying passengers will depart from London to Leeds on Wednesday morning, bringing the promise of faster, more reliable services – and more seats – for the East Coast line.

One of the British-assembled Hitachi trains made an uneventful launch run between King’s Cross and Peterborough on Tuesday.

A similar Class 800 Hitachi train endured a disastrous first public appearance for Great Western Railway in 2017, breaking down with transport secretary Chris Grayling on board.

Grayling opted to stay away on Tuesday, as rail minister Andrew Jones instead launched the bi-mode trains, designed to run on diesel or electric power, which he said would cut emissions as well as improve services.

Managing director of London North Eastern Railway, David Horne, said the Azumas would bring “huge benefits” and were “more reliable, stylish, environmentally friendly and accessible”, and would have about 100 more seats than trains they replace.

LNER will gradually operate more Azuma services as far as Edinburgh by the end of the year, in a phased rollout of the 65-strong fleet. The introduction of the trains has been delayed because of technical problems with the engines interfering with track equipment.

By the end of 2021, with a new timetable, the trains are expected to cut regular journey times between London and Edinburgh to four hours.

However, continuing difficulties in upgrading the electrified East Coast line mean that the bi-mode trains will largely be using diesel for years to come.

An unfurnished Azuma prototype was first shown off at King’s Cross by Sir Richard Branson in 2016, before the Virgin Trains East Coast franchise imploded.

The interiors now unveiled by LNER, the state-owned replacement, are possibly more austere than Branson might have envisaged, but promise slightly more leg room in standard class, as well as free, better wifi and an improved seat reservation system.

Horne said the firm had learned from GWR’s problematic experience with the new Hitachi intercity express trains, commissioned by the government in 2010 at a cost of £5.7bn and assembled in Britain at the Newton Aycliffe plant.

As well as a gradual introduction after prolonged testing, LNER has improved the comfort of the original Hitachi seats that proved unpopular with GWR customers, adding a moquette fabric cover and leather headrests in first class.

LNER has also retained the buffet car – the absence of which on GWR has been the subject of ongoing protests by rail unions and passengers.
 

800001

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I was told that 800s are now cleared to run on electric from Colton to Darlington. Is this the case and if so why are sets being tested from the south into York still running on diesel?

Correct, authorisation was issued late last week, should start to see electric running this week after operation instructions have been issued to drivers.

Newcsstle should be June time, and still slight work to be done between Newcsstle - Edinburh6 as a few niggles keep popping up during testing.
 

sprinterguy

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Seats appeared cramped compared to mk4 stock and more upright, this gives much less comfort but allows more cattle into the stalls.
The IET vehicles are 3 metres longer than a mark 3 but have only 4 more seats than a GWR high density example, and only a handful more than that compared to other refurbished mark 3 vehicles such as those with Crosscountry.

British Rail proposed 88 seats in 26 metre vehicles over 25 years ago for the Intercity 250. I don't believe that lack of legroom is a criticism commonly levelled at the GWR IETs, irrespective of their other perceived flaws.
There was never any desperate need to replace the HST's or Class 91 loco hauled sets.
There is in the former case as the HSTs are not PRM compliant after the end of this year - Although it would appear that a derogation is being sought to give a short stay of execution for a handful of sets.
What services will the 5 car electric only 801s be used on. I can understand the 5 car 800s as these can continue onto quieter unelectrified lines, but can't think of where 5 car or 2 * 5 electric services would go.
The 5 car 801s can work in multiple with the 5 car 800s to give 10 car formations over core electrified routes, before the 800 unit goes forward alone to destinations such as Harrogate or Middlesbrough.
 
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Mikey C

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The 5 car 801s can work in multiple with the 5 car 800s to give 10 car formations over core electrified routes, before the 800 unit goes forward alone to destinations such as Harrogate or Middlesbrough.

Thanks, that makes sense
 

Railperf

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Late running Thameslink to Peterborough given priority at Welwyn and allowed to stop on mainline platform 3 at Stevenage!!!
That is how they ruin the service!

Edit ..only 2 late at Grantham..i expect it to recover by Doncaster
 
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thejuggler

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The Look North report stated one advantage of Azumi is faster acceleration which will reduce journey times from Leeds to London.

Suggestion was a 2 hour trip time would be the norm - any idea when this will be the case?
 

achmelvic

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MarkLong

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Due to reach Edinburgh by the end of the year but “continuing difficulties in upgrading the electrified East Coast line mean that the bi-mode trains will largely be using diesel for years to come” according to this article in The Guardian.

Does this mean Edinburgh trains will be electric to Darlington (based on news in post #1189) and then diesel?

https://www.theguardian.com/busines...uma-fleet-ready-for-london-to-leeds-departure
Do not believe any nonsense publised by Guardian when it comes to railway.
 

MarkLong

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Agreed. The Daily Heil and the Torygraph should be believed even less.
Stick the the railway-centred papers.
Yes, in another sentence, do not believe anything comes from Non-Railway professional media especially the MSM about the railway.
 

385001

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Do not believe any nonsense publised by Guardian when it comes to railway.

Agreed. The Daily Heil and the Torygraph should be believed even less.
Stick the the railway-centred papers.

Yes, in another sentence, do not believe anything comes from Non-Railway professional media especially the MSM about the railway.

Good to know. I look forward to seeing them in Edinburgh soon. Pan up of course.
 

MarkLong

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Correct, authorisation was issued late last week, should start to see electric running this week after operation instructions have been issued to drivers.

Newcsstle should be June time, and still slight work to be done between Newcsstle - Edinburh6 as a few niggles keep popping up during testing.
And isn't the Scottish section already available for class 385 running? They are from the same company's production line.
 

Master29

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Still cannot understand why LNER coach A has 48 standard and GWR have 52 seats on theirs and both have wheelchair spaces.
 

ash39

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More tables? I haven't looked at any seating plans to compare but from memory there aren't many tables on GWR 800's.
 
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