LNER Azuma (Class 800/801) Intercity Express Programme (IEP)
UK (East Coast Main Line; London, Leeds, York, Newcastle, Edinburgh) · 2014–2018 (built), 2019 (first service with LNER) · Part of the wider IEP, total cost for IEP was £5.7 billion (2012 prices) for 122 trains (including GWR fleet).
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe IEP aimed to replace aging InterCity 125 and 225 fleets, signifying a major modernization effort for intercity travel in the UK. - The decision to brand the LNER fleet as ‘Azuma’ (Japanese for ‘East’) reflects the Japanese heritage of Hitachi and a marketing strategy to differentiate the new fleet. - The discovery of cracks on yaw damper brackets and subsequent temporary withdrawal of trains highlighted the importance of robust design, manufacturing quality control, and ongoing monitoring of new rolling stock. - The conversion of some Class 801 units to bi-mode Class 800/3 due to delays in electrification demonstrated the flexibility of the A-train platform and the need to adapt to changing infrastructure plans.
Key engineering challenges
Designing bi-mode trains capable of operating on both electrified and non-electrified lines, with seamless changeover at line speed. - Ensuring compliance with European and UK railway standards, including Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI). - Addressing early operational issues such as fatigue cracking and corrosion on aluminium bodyshells, particularly on yaw dampers, which led to temporary withdrawals from service. - Managing the integration of new rolling stock with existing infrastructure and signalling systems (ETCS, TPWS, AWS, ATP).
Project facts
- Client / owner
- Agility Trains (owner); London North Eastern Railway (LNER) (operator)
- Lead contractor
- Hitachi Rail
- Lead designers
- Hitachi Rail
- Project type
- new build; vehicle/fleet programme
- Scale
- 34 units for LNER (10 x 5-car Class 800/0, 13 x 9-car Class 800/1, 11 x 9-car Class 800/3); 5-car unit length: 129.7 m; 9-car unit length: 233.7 m; Max speed: 125 mph (200 km/h); Power output: 560 kW (750 hp) per diesel engine (LNER specific)
- Disciplines
- Mechanical; Electrical; Systems; Software
- Standards & frameworks
- Technical Specifications for Interoperability (TSI); UK railway standards; ETCS Level 2; TPWS; AWS; ATP
Sources: British Rail Class 800 - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Rail_Class_800) - LNER: Azuma (https://www.lner.co.uk/our-trains/azuma/) - Rail Engineer: Azuma’s HIGHEST challenge (https://railuk.com/rolling-stock/azumas-highest-challenge/)