East Midlands Railway Aurora (Class 810 Hitachi AT300) Fleet
UK (Midland Main Line; Sheffield, Nottingham, London St Pancras, Derby) · 2021–present (construction), 2025 (planned entry into service) · £400 million (2019 prices)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe decision to procure bi-mode trains (Class 810) was a direct response to the cancellation of Midland Main Line electrification, highlighting the need for flexible rolling stock solutions in uncertain infrastructure development environments. - The specific modifications to vehicle length and engine power demonstrate how standard train platforms (AT300) can be adapted to meet unique route and performance requirements. - Delays in the fleet's introduction (from 2022 to 2025) underscore the complexities of new train commissioning, testing, and validation, especially for bespoke designs. - Collaboration with design companies like DGDESIGN for interiors reflects a focus on passenger experience and comfort as a key differentiator in modern rail services.
Key engineering challenges
Designing a bi-mode unit (electric and diesel) to replace older diesel fleets on the Midland Main Line, which saw electrification plans cancelled. - Modifying the AT300 design (specifically Class 802) to reduce vehicle length by 2 meters per car to accommodate London St Pancras station platforms. - Enhancing engine power and adding an additional diesel power pack to meet or exceed the performance of the replaced Class 222 units. - Ensuring high levels of passenger comfort and amenities, including unique seat designs and power/USB charging at every seat.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Rock Rail East Midlands (owner); East Midlands Railway (EMR)
- Lead contractor
- Hitachi Rail
- Lead designers
- Hitachi Rail; DGDESIGN (interiors)
- Project type
- vehicle/fleet programme
- Scale
- 33 units (5-car units); Train length: 24 m per car; Max speed: 125 mph (200 km/h); Capacity: 301 seats (47 first class, 254 standard); Power output: 735 kW (986 hp) per engine, 2,940 kW (3,940 hp) total (4 engines per unit)
- Disciplines
- Mechanical; Electrical; Systems; Software
- Standards & frameworks
- UK railway standards
Sources: British Rail Class 810 - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_810) - East Midlands Railway: The New EMR Intercity Train (https://www.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk/all-new-aurora-train) - Rail Engineer: Aurora - A new dawn for the East Midlands (https://www.railengineer.co.uk/aurora-a-new-dawn-for-the-east-midlands/)