Azumas authorised

LNER’s brand new Azumas granted approval to operate on the East Coast Main Line in passenger service.

LNER Azumas have been granted approval to operate on the East Coast Main Line in passenger service.

They are expected to enter service in the coming weeks. The authorisation is for Class 800/1 and ‘800/2’ bi-modes, with no details released regarding authorisation for Class 801 electrics.

In a letter to Hitachi Rail Europe (seen by RAIL), the Office of Rail and Road lays out a number of terms and agreements that must be resolved within a specified timeframe.

These include that before entering traffic, Automatic Selective Door Opening (ASDO) must be proven on the ECML on operational routes where they will be used. European Train Control System (ETCS) must not be enabled other than to support functionality.

The trains have been assessed and passed for 125mph running, and can run in either five, nine or ten-car formations. They will run initially between London King’s Cross and Leeds/Hull.

Regarding the inter-car connectors that prevented authorisation last year ( RAIL 863), sources suggest Hitachi will make the engineering modifications to the LNER fleet within a year of authorisation.

Hitachi must also reach an agreement with LNER regarding implementation of the modifications prior to passenger traffic use. The plan must include how the risks will be effectively managed and mitigated while the work is being carried out.

If these commitments are not adhered to, it is understood that the ORR will withdraw the Azumas from passenger traffic even after their introduction.

Original type acceptance was planned for February 14, but problems with the Customer Information System (CIS) delayed this.

LNER has 65 Azumas on order, of which 23 are Class 800s. With the bi-modes, there are 13 nine-car sets (800101-800113) and ten five-car sets (800201-800210).

Currently being used for training testing on the ECML are 800103/107/109/111-113, 800201/202, while 800104-106 are at Doncaster Carr, 800102/108 are undergoing post production work at Eastleigh depot, and 800101/110 are at Newton Aycliffe (800101 had been used on the main line, but has returned for new vehicles to be inserted after it donated some to Class 800/3s).

Being assembled at Newton Aycliffe are 800203-800209, with bodyshells for 800210 to be delivered.

Also being tested on the ECML are five-car EMUs 801101/102 and nine-car EMU 801201. Class 801s are being assembled at Newton Aycliffe, and arriving from Kasado (Japan).

At the County Durham site are 801104/106/108, while 801109112 are being completed. Fully built 801103/105/107 are at Tees Dock.

MARK PIKE. LNER 800113 passes Claypole level crossing (Lincolnshire) with the 1456 Peterborough-York test train on February 11. The bi-mode Azumas have been granted authorisation to operate passenger trains on the main line, subject to confirmation of modifications to their inter-car cables being carried out within a year.