TRACK CHANGES We round up ten new trains entering UK service

We round up ten of the most noteworthy new rolling stock entering service on UK train lines

Never before have we seen so many new trains enter service on the UK’s railways. It means politicians can no longer complain about a lack of rail investment in the country, especially in the north, where so much cash has been provided for new rolling stock (see “All change”, September 2019 issue).

However, some readers will lament the fact that most of the new trains have been manufactured overseas by firms such as Germany’s Siemens, Spain’s CAF or Switzerland’s Stadler. While it is true that Hitachi has a factory in the north-east, a few of its IEP trains (or their parts) have come from Italy (Hitachi has a plant at Pistoia) and Japan.

Here are ten of the most important and interesting new trains now entering service. Note that we did not include the Elizabeth Line in the south-east as it will not open fully for at least a couple of years.

LNER’S AZUMAS ▲

Clever publicity by LNER (London and North Eastern Railway) means most rail users know Azuma trains. They are part of the IEP (Intercity Express Programme) manufactured by Hitachi and already in service with GWR. The trains’ advantage lies in bi-mode capability enabling them to run on non-electrified lines. Azuma trains now run on the entire LNER network from Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness down the ECML (East Coast Main Line) to London King’s Cross. lner.co.uk

GWR’S IETS ▼

GWR has branded its Hitachi trains as Intercity Express Trains (IET) and these are already in service across its mainline network from London Paddington to Wales and the West Country. The superior acceleration of the IET has enabled GWR to improve mainline services with faster journeys since December. gwr.com

HULL TRAINS’ PARAGONS ▲

Hull Trains now has bi-mode Hitachi IEPs, which are branded Paragon and are being introduced to replace its unreliable 180s or Adelantes. The open access operator runs services between Hull and King’s Cross several times a day. The Paragon trains (which have variations in their internal layout and technical configurations) entered service only a few weeks after delivery from Hitachi – fast by rail industry standards. hulltrains.co.uk

TRANSPENNINE EXPRESS’S NOVAS ▼

Transpennine Express has introduced a £500 million fleet of 44 Nova trains. There are three variants of Nova trainsets – electric, bi-mode and diesel-powered. Some come from Hitachi (IEP variants), others from CAF. These are a significant upgrade in terms of comfort and capacity compared with the existing multiple units. They are being introduced progressively across the train operating company’s network, which includes routes linking Liverpool and Manchester to Glasgow, Newcastle and Edinburgh, and services across the Pennines. tpexpress.co.uk

CALEDONIAN SLEEPER ▲

After a number of technical failures last year, there have been fewer recent issues with Caledonian Sleeper’s new rolling stock. The CAF coaches offer night train passengers modern amenities, with showers and en suite toilets in the top accommodation. The trains operate six nights a week from London Euston to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Fort William and Inverness. By moving the Sleeper upmarket, it is targeting the corporate and luxury leisure market. sleeper.scot

GREATER ANGLIA’S FLIRTS ▲

Greater Anglia took a bold decision when opting for 38 swish and sophisticated bi-mode trainsets from Stadler. Called Flirt (Fast, Light and Intercity Regional Train), so far they operate local routes in Norfolk and Suffolk but in the future will run on the Stansted Express and mainline services linking Norwich to London Liverpool Street. Flirts are articulated – rare for UK rail – and users have praised their comfort and refinement. greateranglia.co.uk

SCOTRAIL’S HITACHI 385S ▼

Scotrail has taken delivery of 70 Hitachi 385 electric multiple units which speed frequently between Edinburgh and Glasgow, usually taking 40 to 50 minutes. It also operates services in the Central Belt. As a teenager, my trips over this line on diesel trains took well over an hour and were far less frequent. scotrail.co.uk

NORTHERN’S CAFS ▶

Pacer trains (basically a bus on steel wheels) are finally being replaced in the north. Some politicians complain about a lack of rail investment in the north to score points, but the Pacers will all be gone in a matter of months. Northern has ordered a 101-strong fleet of conventional CAF multiple units to replace the Pacers operating in the northwest and Yorkshire. northernrailway.co.uk

SOUTH WESTERN RAILWAY’S AVENTRAS ▲

South Western Railway has ordered a fleet of new 701 Aventra trains for its suburban and outer London routes, covering many of the UK’s most affluent areas. Capable of reaching speeds of 100mph, they will be equipped with modern amenities. These trains are coming from Bombardier’s Derby plant and a few are currently under test for service entry later this year. southwesternrailway.com

THAMESLINK’S SIEMENS TRAINS ▼

Thameslink’s huge order of Siemens units – a total of 1,140 carriages – has led to increases in speed and badly needed extra capacity. Siemens says it is the largest order that it has ever received from the UK. Thameslink operates vital services for commuters and air passengers, running between Bedford and Brighton via central London and some mainline stations, in particular St Pancras International. It also connects Luton and Gatwick airports and its services extend into Kent and up the ECML to Peterborough and Cambridge. thameslinkrailway.com