FirstGroup takes delivery of first open access ‘803’

The first Class 803 electric multiple unit for FirstGroup’s East Coast open access operations has arrived in the UK for assembly at Newton Aycliffe.

FirstGroup has five five-car EMUs on order from Hitachi.

They will be fitted with batteries, although these will not provide traction performance - instead, they can power on-board services should the train fail.

This is the first of the Class

80x fleet to have batteries fitted, although the manufacturer hasn’t ruled out fitting more powerful batteries (which could provide power) to its existing bi-mode fleets.

The second and third Class 803s are due in the UK during May and will also move to Newton Aycliffe. The bodyshells are being manufactured in Kasado (Japan) and shipped to the UK. The trains were ordered in March last year, and all five will feature Standard Class accommodation only. There will be on-board buffets.

FirstGroup plans to run the open access services between London King’s Cross and Edinburgh Waverley, with ticket prices costing (on average) around £25.

Services are planned to start in May 2021.

Meanwhile, Hitachi has confirmed to RAIL that modifications to the Class 80x fleet (ordered by the Office of Rail and Road after it initially refused to authorise the Class 800/801 Azuma fleet for service, RAIL 863) will be carried out at Newton Aycliffe.

The inter-vehicle jumper cables are to be modified, as per agreement with ORR, in a project that will last around two years. Work is expected to start towards the end of this year.