Hull Trains explores new destinations for ‘Class 802/3s’
NEW Class 802/3 ‘Paragons’ should be in charge of all Hull Trains services from December 15, with the open access operator hoping to run them to destinations other than London from next year.
The first of five five-car Hitachi ‘802/3s’ was unveiled to invited guests at Hull station on November 25. It was due to enter traffic the following week (after this issue of RAIL went to press).
Funded by Angel Trains, the five bi-mode units have been ordered in a £60 million deal. They will replace the four five-car Class
180 Adelantes (180109-111/113) that have been dogged by poor reliability.
“We have made a significant investment in these hi-tech trains, which will completely overhaul the current service as our customers know it,” said HT Managing Director Louise Cheeseman.
“This is not just a fleet rollout, but our contribution to the economic regeneration of the area. We are the only operator to carry the name of the city it serves, and we are determined to make the city and its people proud.”
Hitachi Rail Europe Projects Director Jim Brewin explained that the trains have been ‘futureproofed’ to use battery technology, although for the time being they will operate on electric power between London King’s Cross and Doncaster, and then diesel to Hull. Cheeseman said the transition would be made when the trains are stationary because this was the first time many HT drivers had driven electric traction.
As this issue of RAIL went to press, the next two ‘802s’ were due for delivery from Hitachi’s factory in Pistoia (Italy). All five are to be in the UK by the end of the year.
HT will return two High Speed Trains to Great Western Railway at the end of the year because they do not meet accessibility regulations, while the last ‘180’ will be returned to Angel Trains by the middle of January.
Once the new trains are fully operational, passengers will benefit from an extra 5,600 seats a week. The company operates 92 services per week between Hull and London.
Cheeseman would not be drawn on new routes, but said that three trains were needed for its current operation, and that she wanted that to be right before new routes were added. She told RAIL that Hull Trains was “always investigating” new destinations and hinted that new services may not run to London.
“These new trains, designed using advanced bullet train technology, have proven extremely popular, becoming the inter-city train of choice on Britain’s rail network,” said Hitachi Rail Group CEO Andy Barr. He added that ‘802s’ are fitted with more than 25,000 sensors on each train to enable real-time monitoring.
First Rail Managing Director Steve Montgomery said: “This investment in five brand new
trains demonstrates FirstGroup’s commitment to Hull and our Hull Trains service. We’re proud to have supported the local community and East Yorkshire’s economy by investing in Hull Trains and growing the service over the years.”
Angel Trains CEO Kevin Tribley said: “By investing in and developing new trains that reduce the environmental impact of rail travel we are even closer to creating a rail system that modern Britain deserves.”
See RAIL 894 for a feature on Hull Trains.