Azuma trains on track for faster times in cross Border run

A new Virgin Azuma train crosses the Royal Border Bridge in Berwick-upon-tweed on its first visit to Scotland yesterday. The test run from Doncaster to Dunbar was the first of a series before the trains enter service late next year. The Azumas’ superior acceleration will cut journey times.

A new virgin azu ma which will replace 40-year-old east coast main line trains made its debut visit to Scotland today.

The test run from Doncaster to Dunbar was the first of a series north of the Border in the run-up to the trains entering service late next year.

Their superior acceleration will cut Edinburghlondon journeys by 22 minutes to four hours from 2020. Even greater journey time reductions are expected on Virgin Trains East Coast routes between London and Aberdeen, Inverness and Glasgow.

The Azumas will replace 1970s vintage Intercity 125 High Speed Trains on the two north of Scotland routes, and another fleet on the Edinburgh and Glasgow lines which are nearly 30 years old.

The test train - known only by its 800 101 number - is expected to visit Glasgow next, followed by Aberdeen and Inverness.

It has yet to be fitted with seats, with the interiors still being designed.

The 65-strong Hitachibuilt fleet, designed in Japan and built near Durham, is named after the Japanese word for east.

Some are purely electric, for the Edinburgh and Glasgow routes, while others will switch to diesel power for the non-electrified routes north of Edinburgh.