Bullet trains will have to slow down in north

A NEW fleet of “faster” trains do not work properly in the north of England and have to go much slower than promised, a report has found.

The Azuma trains are causing electromagnetic interference with signals on older track along the East Coast Main Line, where they are due to be introduced later this year.

It means the electro-diesel trains, modelled on the Japanese bullet train, can only run on diesel anywhere north of York – drastically cutting their speed.

Network Rail has said it is working with Hitachi, the trains’ manufacturer, to solve the problem, which was identified in a recent independent report.

It found that Azuma trains were electrically “noisy”, meaning they interfere with trackside equipment that recognises a train is passing and alerts signals and points up ahead.

The issue is affecting the older rail system north of York where the signal boxes are less insulated along the line, which runs between London and Edinburgh. The East Coast Main Line is currently operated by the Government-run London North Eastern Railway, which took over from Virgin East Coast in June, when it ended its franchise after making heavy losses.

The operator is due to take delivery of 65 new Azuma trains, at cost of £2.7billion, from December as part of a major upgrade programme.

The Department for Transport said: “New Azuma trains will deliver more seats and faster journey times for passengers on the East Coast Main Line as part of the Government’s £5.7 billion Intercity Express Programme.”

The name Azuma translates as “east” in Japanese and the trains can reach speeds of 140mph, although the East Coast line has a 120mph speed limit.

Network Rail said it was Hitachi’s responsibility to ensure its new trains can run safely. One solution it said it was looking at with the company was upgrading the trackside infrastructure to work better with the new trains.