Stevenage set for zoom-zoom trains

19 March 2019, 19:28 | Updated: 19 March 2019, 19:36

Stevenage rail operator LNER say their Azuma trains will finally be ready for passengers from the 15th of May.

They were due to enter service last winter - but a number of teething problems are still being sorted out - including eletromagnetic interference with the signals.

The UK built trains will continue to be tested on the line until then - and will eventually replace ALL the aging current fleet - which are now more than 30 years old.

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LNER say the trains have been through rigorous testing with engineers and technical staff from Hitachi Rail, Network Rail and the Department for Transport to ensure they will meet the high standards LNER sets for outstanding customer service.
 
LNER Managing Director David Horne said the first Azuma train will run on the London (King’s Cross)Leeds route, with further trains being phased into service on the rest of the route over the coming months.  
 
Mr Horne said:

"I am delighted to confirm that LNER will run the first Azuma train on the service between London and Leeds, commencing from 15 May.  
 
This is what customers up and down the country have been waiting for and represents a monumental milestone for rail travel.  
 
We’ve worked very hard alongside our partners and suppliers to reach this point and I look forward to giving all our customers an excellent experience every time they travel with us."
 
LNER customers will see more seats and more services rolled out across the network as Azuma trains are introduced, with the total fleet increasing from 45 to 65 trains.
 
The Azuma trains are being manufactured in Britain by Hitachi Rail, at its purpose-built factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.
 
Karen Boswell, Managing Director of Hitachi Rail said:

"Passengers on the East Coast Main Line will soon be able to enjoy a fleet built in the North East of England harnessing Japanese bullet-train technology.  
 
Our British train factory has sourced parts from across the country to build the Azuma trains, which herald a new era for this famous route." 
 
The introduction of the new trains has required substantial work across the network to update equipment and technology used to run the Azumas.
 
Rob McIntosh, Route Managing Director for Network Rail, said: "We’re absolutely delighted that passengers will soon be able to travel on the new Azuma trains and we look forward to them reaping the benefits. 

A huge amount of work has gone into reaching this significant step and we have worked extremely closely with both LNER and Hitachi on this."

Earlier this month, Heart reported how the trains had been delayed by on-going issues identified last year where the new trains are so high-tech and packed with electronics, they were interfering with the older generation signalling; which is still being looked into on services to the north and Scotland.