HS2

LNER Azuma fleet one step closer to completion as work begins in Durham

Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe train factory has begun work on the new Azuma fleet for the East Coast Main Line (ECML), taking passengers one step closer to using the trains on the London North Eastern Railway (LNER) network later this year.

The 730-strong workforce in County Durham will be building the fleet to be used along the ECML – while the first units, built in Japan and which arrived in the UK earlier this year, are being tested on the route.

The Azumas are due to begin carrying passengers in late 2018 along the ECML, connecting London and Yorkshire, and from 2019 running in Scotland.

David Horne, managing director of LNER, said: “We are delighted that manufacturing has now commenced on Azuma in County Durham.

“Our customers can expect a fleet of high-tech, modern trains that will deliver more seats and space, as well as faster journeys. Azuma will play a key role in revolutionising travel on the east coast mainline, delivering first-class service as well as extra services for Bradford, Lincoln, Harrogate and Edinburgh.”

Managing director of Hitachi Rail Europe Karen Boswell argued that Newton Aycliffe continues to go “from strength to strength,” now building three separate fleets to serve passengers across the country.

“Our pioneering Azuma trains, inspired by Japanese bullet trains, will transform journeys on the ECML. By building them at Newton Aycliffe, we are supporting thousands of jobs with a strong British supplier base,” she added.

Hitachi designed the new trains using their renowned Japanese bullet train technology, with the front of the train using a sleek aerodynamic design. With much faster acceleration passengers can expect their journey times to be slashed once the fleet is fully introduced.

As well as the many fleets it is currently assembling for a range of TOCs, the company is also bidding to build trains for HS2 as part of a joint venture with Bombardier.

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Image credit: Hitachi