Press release -
LNER announces date for new Azuma trains entering service
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) is pleased to announce new Azuma trains will enter into service on 15 May, 2019.
The trains have been through rigorous testing with engineers and technical staff from Hitachi Rail, Network Rail and the Department for Transport to ensure they will meet the high standards LNER sets for outstanding customer service.
LNER Managing Director David Horne said the first Azuma train will run on the London (King’s Cross)-Leeds route, with further trains being phased into service on the rest of the route over the coming months.
“I am delighted to confirm that LNER will run the first Azuma train on the service between London and Leeds, commencing from 15 May,” Mr Horne said.
“This is what customers up and down the country have been waiting for and represents a monumental milestone for rail travel.
“We’ve worked very hard alongside our partners and suppliers to reach this point and I look forward to giving all our customers an excellent experience every time they travel with us.”
LNER customers will see more seats and more services rolled out across the network as Azuma trains are introduced, with the total fleet increasing from 45 to 65 trains.
The Azuma trains are being manufactured in Britain by Hitachi Rail, at its purpose-built factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.
Karen Boswell, Managing Director of Hitachi Rail said: “Passengers on the East Coast Main Line will soon be able to enjoy a fleet built in the North East of England harnessing Japanese bullet-train technology.
“Our British train factory has sourced parts from across the country to build the Azuma trains, which herald a new era for this famous route.”
The introduction of the new trains has required substantial work across the network to update equipment and technology used to run the Azumas.
Rob McIntosh, Route Managing Director for Network Rail, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that passengers will soon be able to travel on the new Azuma trains and we look forward to them reaping the benefits.
“A huge amount of work has gone into reaching this significant step and we have worked extremely closely with both LNER and Hitachi on this.”
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Hitachi Rail Europe (HRE) is a global transport specialist with over 100 years of experience building pioneering trains, offering quality maintenance and developing innovative new technology. As a leader in rail we’re improving transport for passengers, connecting communities and helping to boost the UK’s economy.
Having delivered the hugely popular Javelin HS1 fleet in advance of the 2012 London Games, Hitachi is delivering major orders for new trains, with 281 due to be in service by 2021. Our purpose-built factory in County Durham is delivering 122 new high speed trains as part of the UK Government’s £5.7bn Intercity Express Programme and a fleet of 70 regional trains for Scotland. With a proud reputation for innovation, Hitachi is at the forefront of using new digital technology to enhance passenger experience and enrich Britain’s railway’s heritage. Hitachi rail is growing rapidly, employing over 3,000 people and soon to be operational at 15 locations across the UK.
For more information about the company, please visit www.hitachirail-eu.com
