66-566: The Highland Chieftain is a named British passenger train operated by London North Eastern Railway . It operates daily in each direction between London King's Cross and Inverness via the East Coast and Highland Main Line . It is one of the longest train journeys in the United Kingdom at 581 miles with a journey time of eight hours. Historically, the principal train service between London and
132-554: A ceremony at Paddington by his daughter, Karen Jankel. This coincided with the 60th anniversary of the late author's famous Paddington Bear series of children's books, and the other end of the unit carries the bear's name. On 1 May 2021, unit 800025 Captain Sir Tom Moore , arrived back at London Paddington , after completing a challenge to stop at 100 stations in only 40 hours, raising money for charity in memory of Captain Tom . The train
198-416: A ceremony held at Paddington Station. The Queen had arrived at Paddington on the unit, travelling from Slough on the 175th anniversary of the first ever train journey by a reigning monarch, made on the same route by Queen Victoria. The name is carried in the form of a decal , rather than the more traditional cast metal plate; the name Queen Victoria is borne on the other end of the unit. On 15 May 2019,
264-521: A collision safety structure compliant with the latest European standards, incorporate an automatic coupling system along with measures to reduce both air resistance and noise. The driving cab of the Class 800 is provisioned with a variety of physical switches and monitors. The design of which is not only compliant with relevant standards at the time of design, but also shaped by feedback received from drivers as part of Human Factors engagement, in order to provide
330-480: A combination of wheel wear and track design. Further cracks in or near the welds of the lifting plates to the vehicle body were the result of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in a high-strength 7000 series aluminium alloy caused by a combination of residual stresses from being MIG welded to the body and exposure to air containing sea salt on railway lines near the coast. To mitigate the risk of cracking, 1,247 Class 800 series vehicles need to be repaired by replacing
396-513: A day, by the Flying Scotsman from Edinburgh to London. This was later deferred to December 2024, and then further delayed until at least December 2025. LNER has consistently tried to implement fares reform on its routes. In 2023, return fares were abolished on most flows, with only singles being offered in each direction. This also coincided with the removal of the off-peak fare for flows to and from Kings Cross. In January 2024, LNER announced
462-529: A day. LNER expected to introduce two-hourly services to Bradford and a daily service to Huddersfield by May 2020 when more Azuma trains had been introduced, however the latter has not yet been introduced. During September 2018, a proposed service to Middlesbrough was announced, though the Rail Minister, Jo Johnson , informed Parliament that this proposal was dependent on the Azumas being brought into service on
528-463: A five-car set has a GU situated under vehicles 2/3/4 and a nine-car set has a GU situated under vehicles 2/3/5/7/8. In comparison, the electric-orientated Class 801 features a single GU for a five to nine-car set, which provides emergency power for limited traction and auxiliaries if the power supply from the overhead line fails. By adding or removing GUs, a Class 800 can be converted into a Class 801 and vice versa. Active limiters are present that prevent
594-507: A fleet of InterCity 125 and InterCity 225 high speed trains that it had inherited from VTEC. During May 2019, the first batch of Class 800 bi-mode high speed multiple units , based on the Hitachi A-train platform, entered service, followed by the very similar Class 801 electric multiple units during September of that year. Branded by LNER as the Azuma , their introduction has permitted
660-451: A guard on board, one exception being the Oxford and Bedwyn services operated by GWR, where drivers use the in-cab monitors to close the doors without a guard. When a guard is on board, door releases are still controlled by the driver, while the guard is responsible for closing the doors using the control panels in the vestibule areas; the driver will then carry out a secondary check of the side of
726-482: A long term fix for all units is required. On 7 April 2022, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), which regulates the safety and economics of Great Britain's railway, published a safety report on the fatigue cracks in the aluminium vehicle body shells above the bogies close to the yaw damper bracket and anti-roll bar fixing points. The trains had experienced greater loads from train movement than specified, probably caused by
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#1732854985197792-526: A minimal timetable on those dates because of the number of its staff involved. In 2021, the company attempted to recast the East Coast Mainline timetable from the May 2022 timetable change, increasing the service between London and Newcastle to thrice hourly, and removing station stops on the current fast train to reduce journey times to 4 hours between London and Edinburgh, a feat currently only achieved once
858-522: A new franchise competition was conducted, or to arrange for VTEC be taken over by the DfT's operator of last resort . On 16 May 2018, it was announced that the latter option was now being pursued and as such, LNER would take over operations from VTEC on 24 June 2018. The DfT also announced that LNER would be the long-term brand applied to the InterCity East Coast franchise. During a speech in May 2018,
924-485: A number of Azuma sets having to be taken temporarily out of service for inspections and repairs where appropriate. During June 2022, LNER unveiled its new livery, based on the traditional British Rail -era Intercity styling, on one of its remaining InterCity 225 sets. In November 2023, LNER announced an order of 10 tri-mode multiple units from CAF to serve the ECML, including an 8-year maintenance agreement. The contract
990-403: A simpler fares trial for Newcastle, Berwick-upon-Tweed and Edinburgh to London Kings Cross, scrapping the super off-peak fares, the regulated fare and a de facto cap on ticket prices, and replacing it with a 70-minute flex, a yield managed advance fare which allows customers to catch a train 70 minutes before or after their train. This left three fare tiers on these flows, with advance tickets being
1056-541: A trolley and also the fact that surfboards are no longer allowed on the train due to the limited space available. In comparison with the IET , the LNER Azuma has a small 'micro' buffet retained with other aspects of the interior being similar between the two companies. On the evening of 13 November 2019, an LNER Azuma (800109) was involved in a collision with a Class 43 HST powercar (43300) at Neville Hill Depot , Leeds when
1122-552: A usable and reliable cab design. The train crew are assisted by the Train Control and Management System (TCMS), which runs on an ethernet -based communication system. Amongst other functions, it provides onboard information systems such as the seat reservation system, public address, and passenger information system , as well interfacing with the cab displays, on-train data recorder, and 3G / 4G communications. It has been outfitted to work with various signalling systems, including
1188-697: Is a British train operating company . It is owned by DfT OLR Holdings for the Department for Transport (DfT). The company's name echoes that of the London and North Eastern Railway , one of the Big Four companies which operated between 1923 and 1948. During June 2018, LNER took over the InterCity East Coast franchise, after the previous privately owned operator Virgin Trains East Coast (VTEC) returned it to
1254-628: Is a part of the Hitachi AT300 product family. The Class 800 was developed and produced, alongside an electric-only Class 801 variant, as part of the Intercity Express Programme (IEP) to procure replacements for the InterCity 125 and InterCity 225 fleets of high speed trains. The trains were manufactured by Hitachi between 2014 and 2018, being assembled at Hitachi's Newton Aycliffe Manufacturing Facility using bodyshells shipped from
1320-468: Is in addition to the sole one train per day service, which in all, now provides five out and back workings to and from London King's Cross. LNER also planned for the December 2019 timetable change that a sixth return service to London from Lincoln would be introduced and five extra services on a Saturday would begin from 7 December 2019. From December 2019, LNER introduced a Harrogate to London service six times
1386-626: Is installed on vibration-isolating mountings, and fitted with side-mounted cowls to reduce external noise. Heat management measures include thermal insulation around key areas such as cable ducts. According to Modern Railways magazine, the limited space available for the GUs is responsible for them being prone to overheating. It claimed that, on one day in summer 2018, "half the diagrammed units were out of action as engines shut down through overheating". The Class 800 and Class 802 bi-mode are equipped with three GU per five-car set and five GU per nine-car set;
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#17328549851971452-493: Is necessary to unlock the full capabilities of its rolling stock, enabling drivers to continuously receive information in real time, yielding improvements in responsiveness, safety, and reliability over the traditional lineside signalling. The company has worked with Network Rail , the British government, and the trade unions on this endeavour, and has been heavily involved in the planning and preparatory works; it has also undertaken
1518-463: Is one of several train operators impacted by the 2022-2024 United Kingdom railway strikes , which are the first national rail strikes in the UK for three decades. Its workers are amongst those who have voted in favour of taking industrial action due to a dispute over pay and working conditions. LNER appealed to the public not to use its services on the days of the strikes, as it was only capable of operating
1584-439: Is potentially linked to the issues identified on a GWR trainset undergoing maintenance on 26 April. Significant disruption was caused by cancellations of trains between London, to Scotland and to the west of the UK. Reports suggested that delays would last for "some time" with the repairs not being easy. From 13 May 2021, some trains started to return to service, however more severely affected trains require repairs before use and
1650-572: Is stored and maintained at the following depots: British Rail Class 800 The British Rail Class 800 , branded as the Intercity Express Train ( IET ) by Great Western Railway (GWR) and Azuma by London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is a type of bi-mode multiple unit train built by Hitachi Rail for GWR and LNER. The type uses electric motors powered from overhead electric wires for traction, but also has diesel generators to enable trains to operate on unelectrified track. It
1716-495: Is valued at over €500 million and is financed by rolling stock company, Porterbrook . The trains will be able to run on 25kV 50 Hz electrification, battery and diesel power. In August 2024 it was announced that the trains would be called Class 897 under the TOPS classification system. In November 2023, LNER placed an order for 10 ten-car tri-mode (electric, diesel and battery power) Civity trains from CAF . In August 2024, it
1782-763: The European Train Control System (ETCS) level 2, which satisfies safety integrity level 4 requirements. For compatibilities with legacy signalling systems, it is also provisioned with apparatus for the Train Protection & Warning System (TPWS), Automatic Warning System (AWS), and Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system. Train information can be shared between ETCS, TCMS, and the GSM-R wireless communication system to simplify data entry. The train communicates in realtime with wayside systems, transmitting from
1848-595: The Scottish Highlands was The Clansman , which ran via the West Coast Main Line . The Highland Chieftain was introduced with the May 1984 timetable on the East Coast Main Line and was intended to replace The Clansman ; the running time then was 8 hours 40 minutes southbound and 8 hours 50 minutes northbound. Today, it has a journey time of eight hours. Originally operated by InterCity 125 sets,
1914-988: The yaw dampers . As part of the UK Government's Intercity Express Programme (IEP), the Class 800 units were built as partial replacements for the InterCity 125 trains which at the time operated services on the Great Western Main Line and the East Coast Main Line, as well as the InterCity 225 trains which currently operate services on the East Coast Main Line. The scheme drew heavily upon the preceding British Rail Class 395 high speed trains produced for Southeastern . A total of 80 train sets have been constructed, comprising 36 five-car and 21 nine-car units intended for operation with Great Western Railway (GWR), along with 10 five-car and 13 nine-car with London North Eastern Railway (LNER). In March 2016, Virgin Trains East Coast announced that its trains would carry
1980-531: The Class 800 ran into the rear of the HST. The trains were travelling at 15 miles per hour (24 km/h) and 5 miles per hour (8 km/h) respectively, with three carriages of the Class 800 derailing and the leading vehicle of the Class 800 and trailing locomotive of the HST being severely damaged. On 18 November 2020, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch published its report into the accident with
2046-711: The ECML, in addition to other schemes then in progress, that would provide sufficient capacity to enable the service to run. This service commenced on 13 December 2021. A 1tpd service to Cleethorpes as an extension of a Lincoln service is currently being explored. London North Eastern Railway operates a number of named passenger services. At its commencement, LNER operated a fleet of diesel-powered InterCity 125 and electric InterCity 225 high speed trains that it had inherited from VTEC. Since September 2016, VTEC had also hired three Class 90s from DB Cargo for use on services to Newark, York and Leeds. LNER inherited these locomotives and retained them until June 2019 to cover for
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2112-575: The InterCity 125 and InterCity 225 fleets to be replaced gradually. On 15 May, the first Azuma train to enter service, a nine-carriage Class 800/1, was operated on the Leeds route from King's Cross. Other subclasses of the Class 800 and 801 variants entered service afterwards; the first two five-carriage Class 801/1 sets entered service on 16 September, operating as a ten-carriage train; the first lot of five-carriage Class 800/2 sets entered service to coincide with
2178-494: The InterCity 125 sets to be withdrawn from service entirely, along with most of the InterCity 225s. A limited number of InterCity 225 sets have been retained and continue to be regularly operated by LNER. During November 2017, the then Secretary of State for Transport , Chris Grayling , announced the early termination of the InterCity East Coast franchise in 2020, three years ahead of schedule; this action had followed persistent losses incurred by Virgin Trains East Coast (VTEC),
2244-602: The Secretary of State for Transport stated that Great Northern services could potentially be integrated into the operation when the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise expires in 2021 as part of the overall strategy for the East Coast franchise. The setting up of LNER is the second occasion that a government-appointed operator of last resort has taken control of the InterCity East Coast franchise; between 2009 and 2015,
2310-603: The affected parts including the longitudinal welds and by installing additional bolts, to retain the plate, if the weld should fail completely as a result of stress corrosion cracking. In 2017, Hornby issued its first OO gauge five-car model of the BR Class 800/0 Hitachi IEP Bi-Mode in GWR Green livery. In early May 2021, Kato released its N-scale five-car model of the BR Class 800/0 Hitachi IEP Bi-Mode in GWR Green livery with
2376-515: The brand name Azuma , a Japanese word for "East". During June 2016, GWR announced that its trains would be known as Intercity Express Trains . However, due to the early demise of Virgin Trains East Coast, they would not operate the new trains, which entered service with successor London North Eastern Railway . Even so, the Azuma brand has been retained by LNER. In July 2016, it was revealed that GWR's intended fleet of Class 801 units were to be converted from pure EMU to bi-mode due to delays in
2442-501: The cheapest but least flexible ticket, the 70 minute flex, and the anytime fare, the only fare guaranteed to be available. In September 2024, after well published loopholes being found to this trial, the trial was expanded to every station between Newcastle and Edinburgh. As of June 2024 , the off-peak weekday service pattern is as follows. An expanded service to Lincoln began on 21 October 2019, when four terminating services at Newark Northgate were extended into Lincoln. This
2508-428: The company serves. London North Eastern Railway unveiled a special vinyl on one of their units to celebrate the launch of Azuma to Scotland. It was operated on the first Azuma from Scotland, which ran on the 'Flying Scotsman' from Edinburgh on 1 August 2019. This same unit was also used when Azuma was launched to Aberdeen and Inverness respectively. On 10 January 2018, unit 800010 was named Michael Bond in
2574-556: The company's Kasado Works in Japan. Similar bi-mode units have also been produced by Hitachi as Classes 802 , 805 , and 810 . The Class 800 trains came into service on the Great Western Main Line on 16 October 2017, while the first examples on the East Coast Main Line were put into service on 15 May 2019. Early operations have been troubled by fatigue cracking and corrosion on the aluminium vehicle body shells, particularly on
2640-419: The current electrified network . As per the train specification, the changeover between modes can occur at line speed for minimal service impact. As part of the Great Western Main Line order was originally for Class 801s , all Great Western franchise units have the possibility to be converted to electric-only operation by removal of the diesel engines. Hitachi designed the rolling stock for conformance with
2706-441: The data recorder and receiving timetables and seat allocation data, amongst other material. Location tracking via GPS is used to automatically control selective door operation (where stations are shorter than the trains), guide drivers in efficiently operate the train to best suit the route, and provide information to passengers. The Class 800 is capable of driver-only operation when required, however, virtually all services have
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2772-419: The derailment performance. On 26 April 2021 GWR temporarily withdrew eight 5-car Class 800 sets from service after finding cracks in the yaw damper brackets. On 8 May 2021, Great Western Railway, London North Eastern Railway and Hull Trains suspended most of their Class 800 series trains after cracks were found on the welds of the lifting pads on an IET trainset undergoing maintenance. This incident
2838-559: The electrification. Subsequently, these were reclassified as Class 800/3. As a part of this reconfiguration, the original 1.35 m (300 imp gal) fuel tanks were replaced with larger capacity 1.55 m (340 imp gal) tanks. The Class 800 train is a high speed bi-modal multiple unit (BMU). The traction system comprises electric motors that are alternatively capable of drawing power from electrified overhead lines where available, or of using electricity produced by onboard underfloor diesel generators when travelling beyond
2904-521: The first Class 800 came into service on the East Coast Main Line under the brand name 'Azuma'. The type was initially worked on Leeds, Hull, and Newark services. On 1 August 2019, the first Class 800 performed the Edinburgh to King's Cross run on the Flying Scotsman service. Great Western Railway's Class 800 and 802 units are being named after "inspirational people" who have influenced the regions that
2970-600: The franchise had been operated by East Coast . It had taken over operations from National Express East Coast after that operator had defaulted on franchise payments to the government, and thus had its franchise taken away. East Coast had been the prior operator to VTEC being selected to take over the franchise. A major aspect of LNER's vision for the franchise has been the rollout of the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS). David Horne, LNER's managing director, stated that digital signalling
3036-503: The government following sustained financial difficulties. The DfT intended for the company to operate the franchise until a new public–private partnership could be established during 2020. However, in July 2019, it was announced that LNER had been given a direct-award to run these services beyond 28 June 2020, up until 25 June 2023, making it the longest franchise on the East Coast Main Line since Great North Eastern Railway (GNER). Early on,
3102-414: The government; the introduction was postponed by six months on account of the train's electro-magnetic emissions, which had reportedly caused problems with signals and other elements of lineside equipment. On 30 June 2016, GWR's test unit (800004) ran from Reading to London Paddington carrying invited dignitaries. On 14 June 2017, GWR unit 800003 was named Queen Elizabeth II by the monarch herself in
3168-511: The integration of Great Northern services into LNER's operation after the expiration of the Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise in 2021 was being actively considered as well. LNER provides long-distance inter-city services on the East Coast Main Line to and from London ; the principal destinations served are Leeds , York , Newcastle upon Tyne and Edinburgh . It directly manages 11 stations, while its trains call at 55 stations in total. LNER's initial rolling stock consisted of
3234-413: The investigation finding that driver error was the cause of the accident, with insufficient training of the driver being an underlying cause. The effect of the collision was exacerbated by the design of the Class 800 as crashworthiness requirements did not require the effects of a collision at less than 23.5 mph (37.8 km/h) to be taken into account, nor did it include specific criteria for assessing
3300-487: The latest European standards as of 2014, including the Technical Specifications for Interoperability , and UK railway standards. Furthermore, a high level of flexibility was pursued as to allow the type to be operated on numerous lines with different infrastructure, both in the present and the foreseeable future, such as variable passenger demand and the rollout of electrification. The front end cars, which feature
3366-462: The launch of the new King's Cross - Lincoln services on 21 October while the first two nine-carriage Class 801/2 sets entered service on 18 November. By May 2021, all units in the Azuma fleet had entered revenue service following unit 800109's return to service, which was the unit involved in the derailment at Neville Hill TMD in November 2019 and subsequently had to undergo repairs. Following
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#17328549851973432-467: The operator of the route. VTEC had been contracted to pay more than £2 billion in franchise premiums to the British government across the final four years of its contract. In February 2018, the end date of the VTEC franchise was brought forward to mid-2018; the Department for Transport (DfT) had decided to either negotiate with VTEC for it to continue running the franchise on a temporary non-profit basis while
3498-463: The passenger area. Following further issues, the units were withdrawn from service on 19 October for the rest of the day, re-entering service during the next day. At one point, the type were due to enter service on the East Coast Main Line from December 2018. The launching operator on the East Coast became London North Eastern Railway (LNER) following Virgin Trains' decision to return the franchise to
3564-464: The service has been operated by Class 800 Azumas since December 2019. Electric locomotive 87023 , which operated on the West Coast Main Line , was named Highland Chieftain between 1978 and 1984, but never had an association with the passenger service. LNER High Speed Train power car 43308 , which has operated the service, was later named Highland Chieftain . The nameplate was auctioned by London North Eastern Railway in 2020. Presently both of
3630-524: The services are operated by a Class 800 Azuma . This is a bi-modal train due to the line being diesel only beyond Haymarket , with the train being on electric power to and from the latter. Until December 2019, the Highland Chieftain service was operated by an InterCity 125 HST for a number of years until the whole fleet of HSTs were replaced by the Azuma fleet. London North Eastern Railway London North Eastern Railway ( LNER )
3696-462: The shortage of Class 91 locomotives. During May 2019, the first batch of Class 800 new-build high speed trains began entering service, the very similar Class 801 trains also followed in September of that year. These units are based on the Hitachi A-train design and LNER retained the Azuma brand for the units which was originally designated by VTEC. The initial operation of these units allowed
3762-482: The time frame up to 2024. These retained units have been subject to an overhaul performed at Wabtec 's Doncaster plant. At the end of service on 15 January 2021, the remaining serviceable InterCity 225 sets went into storage temporarily as part of the East Coast Upgrade. Originally, the plan was to return the sets to service for 7 June 2021, however, the first set actually re-entered service on 11 May 2021 due to
3828-464: The traction converter, fuel tank, automated fire protection system (using high pressure nitrogen gas), and braking. The auxiliary power system is powered directly from the direct current stage of the traction system. They are operated in parallel to provide greater redundancy. The power supply converter is designed to work with both sources of power, avoiding the need for a separate converter for each mode, thus reducing weight and complexity. The GU
3894-517: The train before departure using the in-cab monitors. Despite their underfloor positioning, the generator units (GU) feature a V12 engine . Incorporated as a single package, the GU includes the diesel engine , generator, radiator, and other subsystems, such as exhaust cleaning measures compliant with the Stage IIIB European Union exhaust emission standard . Elements external to the GU include
3960-423: The train from exceeding its peak service speed of 125 mph (200 km/h). The Class 800 trains came into service on the Great Western Main Line on 16 October 2017, under the brand name Intercity Express Train (abbreviated to IET ). Teething problems surfaced on the inaugural service, the train not only ran late but one of the carriages suffered an air conditioning unit failure that discharged water into
4026-549: The training of its staff in readiness for its use. By mid-2020, LNER had considerably curtailed its services in response to the significant decline of passenger travel amid the COVID-19 pandemic . From 15 June 2020, both passengers and staff on public transport in England, including LNER services, were required to wear face coverings while travelling, and that anyone failing to do so would be liable to be refused travel or fined. LNER
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#17328549851974092-433: The trains they replace. However, the seats in both standard and first class have been heavily criticised for excessive hardness and discomfort on lengthy journeys, with the overall first class experience said to be a downgrade as the seats are no longer leather like their predecessors due to fire regulations. The GWR IET has also been criticised for the lack of a buffet car with the catering service instead being provided by
4158-517: The withdrawal of the InterCity 125 fleet in December 2019, it was previously thought that the InterCity 225 fleet would be fully withdrawn by June 2020. However, on 29 January 2020, LNER announced that they would be retaining a limited number of the InterCity 225 fleet to deliver all of the benefits of their December 2021 timetable. In September 2020, Eversholt Rail Group (the train owner ) and London North Eastern Railway extended their lease to ten units by 2023; additionally, there are options to extend
4224-449: Was announced that the units will be designated Class 897 under TOPS. The entry into service of the Azuma fleet allowed all fourteen of LNER's HST sets to be withdrawn from service, with the last three sets working their final services with LNER on 15 December 2019. Nine of the sets transferred to East Midlands Railway , with two power cars from one set transferring to CrossCountry to supplement its existing five sets. LNER's fleet
4290-479: Was designed to fulfil the requirements of the Persons with Reduced Mobility-TSI standard, as well as to satisfy the varying requirements and preferences of multiple operators, and to facilitate future refurbishments and reconfigurations. The basic layout has been standardised. The interiors have reportedly been praised for their increased leg-room and greater number of seats and tables in standard class, in comparison to
4356-438: Was greeted by applause. The passenger compartments on the Class 800 trains are typically divided into both first class and standard class sections. The vestibule area accommodates the exterior doors along with space for storage areas for passenger luggage (including bicycles , and a sizable universal accessibility toilet. It can be configured to include catering facilities, including a kitchen and preparation room. The interior
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