TPE Class 802s to enter WCML service next month

TRANSPENNINE Express has confirmed that, from December, Class 802 ‘Nova 1’ bi-mode units will operate four services a day on the West Coast Main Line (two in both directions) between Manchester and Edinburgh.

The company says the deployments from its fleet of Class 802s, which will work alongside the currentlydiagrammed Class 397 ‘Nova 2’ electric multiple units, will give “more resilience” on the route as it moves back to a full service from the start of the December timetable.

Explaining that they would be used until further notice, a TPE spokesman added that without the additional trains, there would be no fallback if there was an issue with the Class 397s.

TPE has a fleet of 19 Hitachibuilt Class 802s owned by

Angel Trains and 12 Class 397s, constructed by CAF and leased from Eversholt Rail. Both classes are five-car trains and first entered service in late 2019.

The Class 802s will continue to operate services between the North East and North West, as well as TPE diagrams serving Edinburgh via the East Coast Main Line (including five new services between Newcastle and the Scottish capital from the December timetable) although the service pattern is less intensive than that envisaged when they were introduced.

GEOFF GRIFFITHS REACTIVATED: Reinstated and re-logoed for Colas, HST power car Nos. 43274 and 43272 (trailing) are seen heading through Doncaster on October 4, with a Darlington Down Sidings-Derby RTC test train working. Nos. 43251/57/77 remain at the Severn Valley Railway.