LNER Azuma (Class 800/801)

EE Andy b1 said:

I was on my first LNER Azumas a couple of weeks back, they were ok better looking interior than GWRs that's for sure, seats felt a bit more comfortable.
The ride quality more akin to a non-tilt Class 390 i thought, but with air bags slightly deflated, the 390 still a better ride.

Was sat in First, which looks nothing special really.

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GrimShady said:

Give me a Mallard Mk 4 any day over.

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realnovice said:

Would it be foolish to think that eventually the 800s will have seats changed within a few years? From what I read that's the only real consistent criticism of otherwise a very good train.

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Mark62 said:

I'm in first class at present on an azuma. Seats are definitely narrower and there's quite a bit less legroom. I'd say the suspension is worse giving a very bumpy ride
I spoke to lner staff in the first class lounge and they said they'd had lots of complaints about smaller seats and uncomfy journeys. They said they aren't any faster than the old stock.
Also she said that carrying bikes was an absolute nightmare as they didn't fit properly into their bays
I've no idea where the seats are larger. Second class maybe but judging from Complaints I'd say the claims of larger seats is complete hogwash
Now there's a surprise

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glasgowtripper said:

Just spotted two 5 car sets stabled at polmadie

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bramling said:

Wonderful all that wasted space in the middle of the train when two units are joined together. Really good use of platform and track capacity...

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59CosG95 said:

801109 & 801110 entered traffic on 1A28 (1145 Leeds - King's X) today, the first 2×5-car pair in service on the ECML.
These should allow the Newark stoppers to switch to 800/1s and therefore eventually get extended to Lincoln Central.

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800001 said:

These were not a public service. It was the final staff rehearsal train.

If all has gone well, Sept 16th should see 2x5cars replace an 800/1 on the leeds diagrams, so that the 9 car 800/1 can transfer to Anglo-Scot service.

Another 3 sets of 2x5 801/1s should also join the leeds diagrams to release another 3 x 9 car 800/1s to the Anglo Scots.

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Visit Lincoln said:

New Lincoln-London Direct Azuma Trains Announced by LNER
August 30, 2019 by Joel Murray

London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has announced four new Azuma direct services will be introduced between Lincoln and London King’s Cross from October.
The additional four mideweek Azuma services will be the first wave of new LNER trains between the two cities, adding to the current direct service.

From Monday 21st October, direct services between Lincoln and London King’s Cross will be:

Lincoln Central - London King’s Cross:

• 07:30;
• 11:18 (Azuma);
• 13:23 (Azuma);
• 15:26 (Azuma);
• 17:14 (Azuma).

London Kings Cross - Lincoln Central:

• 10:06 (Azuma);
• 12:06 (Azuma);
• 14:06 (Azuma);
• 16:06 (Azuma);
• 19:06.

The current 07:30 Lincoln to London and return service from London at 19:06 will be replaced by an Azuma train later in the year as the transformation of LNER services on the route continues.

Charlotte Goy, Director of PR and Marketing at Visit Lincoln, said: “The significantly improved rail service between London and Lincoln is transformational and marks a new chapter for opportunity and growth.

“The addition of four new direct connections to the capital of the UK is an exciting opportunity, and Visit Lincoln will continue its work with LNER to make sure the new timetable is a success.

“Over the past two years Visit Lincoln has supported LNER by inviting and showing them around the city, and introducing them to local businesses including the University of Lincoln and Lincoln City Football Club. We’ve organised familiarisation trips, joint promotions, hosted LNER’s leadership team away-day and organised stakeholder events. Anything they needed to know about Lincoln - we told them!

“We want everyone along the East Coast line to know that Lincoln is open and ready for business. We will be launching a series of promotions inviting people to visit Lincoln for business, day trips and short breaks. Our international travel campaign will also be developed, ensuring Lincoln is a destination accessible by rail for overseas visitors exploring outside of London.

“We’ve seen record economic growth in tourism over the past five years thanks to Visit Lincoln’s promotion of Lincoln Castle Revealed, the Knights Trail, Lincoln City Football Club’s success and the opening of International Bomber Command Centre to name a few. And there’s more to come with the opening of Cathedral Connected, the exciting development of the Cornhill Quarter, St Marks Shopping Centre transformation, as well as several international travel trade projects we are working on with VisitBritain.

“There has never been a better time to market Lincoln as a place to visit, work, live and invest in - and we are looking forward to doing this with LNER.”

David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, said: “Azuma trains will not only revolutionise the customer experience for those who travel with us between Lincoln and London but open up huge economic benefits for the city and wider area thanks to the increase of services from one train each way to six return services.

“With these new regular services in both directions, offering journey times from December of just under two hours between London and Lincoln, it offers significantly more opportunities for business travel, tourists and the many international visitors wanting to experience the many historic and cultural attractions Lincoln proudly offers including the magnificent Cathedral, Castle and stunning views from the Medieval Wall.”

FUTURE ADDITIONAL SERVICES
A sixth daily return weekday service will be introduced as part of the December timetable change, alongside five additional services on Saturdays. The Saturday Azuma service will be introduced from Saturday, December 7 to provide extra seats for people wishing to visit the Lincoln Christmas Market.

From the December timetable change, there will be five services in each direction on Sundays.

From the best ever WiFi, plug sockets at every seat and more legroom in Standard class to extra space for bags, ergonomically designed seats and an excellent range of refreshments served at seat or from the Cafe Bar, the new Azuma fleet will transform the journey experience.

The Azuma fleet offers significant environmental benefits. Azuma trains will run using overhead electric wires between London and Newark North Gate. The bimode Azuma fleet will then operate under diesel power for the short stretch between Newark and Lincoln. The modern engines will cut harmful emissions by 90% compared to existing diesel-only High Speed Trains.

Communities and customers at stations across the route will benefit from cleaner air and substantially lower noise pollution levels thanks to the Azuma trains being quieter than the existing fleet which will be fully replaced by June 2020.

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3973EXL said:

5Q41 Merchant Park - Acton
5X41 Acton - Eastleigh
Reported as 800207

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EE Andy b1 said:

Was on 801109 & 801110 today on 1006 KingsCross - Newark, on starting from KX the sets didn't feel right as power was taken they kept shunting into each other.
Once on a move at speed they seemed ok apart from drinks kept sliding across the table when going round curves.
Anyway on arrival at Peterborough the train was terminated due to train fault of some sort, everybody off. The sets were again seen a bit later at Doncaster heading South empty stock i beleive.

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InOban said:

Apologies for my ignorance, what does DSD stand for?

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InOban said:

Apologies for my ignorance, what does DSD stand for?

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