Fourth bi-mode Azuma leaves Newton Aycliffe

LNER bi-mode 800108 was released from Newton Aycliffe on January 25, running first to Doncaster and then on to Eastleigh for interior modifications.

It is the fourth LNER Azuma assembled at the County Durham site to be released, with 800110 the next and final set. Also at the site is 800101, which was built in Kasado (Japan) but which is receiving newly assembled vehicles after some its original vehicles were formed into Great Western Railway Class 800/3s.

LNER has 13 nine-car Class 800/1s on order, with 800102/ 104/106/108 at Eastleigh, 800101/110 at Newton Aycliffe, and 800105/113 at Doncaster having not ventured onto the main line. The rest (800103/107/109/111/112) have been used for training and testing.