Virgin East Coast ~ Hitatchi Azuma Fleet

As announced, Virgin Trains East Coast will be operating IEP Class 800s from 2018 on their Mainline between London Kings Cross and Scotland, via Stevenage, Peterborough, York, Leeds and Newcastle. These units have been named as the Azuma (which translates as East in Japanese).


On Friday 18th March, at London Kings Cross, they unveiled 800101, the first of the fleet, at a ceremony attended by no other than Richard Branson.

NOTE: This is a promotional livery, which is likely to be adapted when the entire fleet is launched.

Faster acceleration: The Azumas will accelerate more quickly, slicing up to 22 minutes off East Coast journeys and making 4hr London-Edinburgh journeys, and 2hr London-Leeds journeys, the norm. They will accelerate from 0-125mph around a minute quicker than the current fleet. 
New direct services: The faster journeys will make direct routes to new destinations such as Middlesbrough and Huddersfield possible, as well as a big increase in through services to places such as Harrogate and Lincoln. 
Greater comfort: The trains will have some of the best leg-room on the rail network, as well as ergonomically designed seats in both first and standard.
Virgin’s unique feel: Both the interior and the exterior of the new fleet with have that distinctive Virgin atmosphere. 
Lower emissions: The trains will be lighter and more energy efficient, making them some of the most environmentally friendly in the UK. 
Improved facilities: The trains will have faster and free Wi-Fi, an improved traffic-light reservation system2, power sockets for every seat and more overhead luggage space. 
Buffet cars: An onboard shop is a key part of the experience for passengers.

Virgin: 'With 65 trains providing an extra 12,200 seats for a new and expanded timetable, the fleet of Virgin Azumas will increase capacity into King’s Cross by 28 per cent during peak time.

Whilst the trains will initially reach speeds of up to 125mph, Virgin Trains has today announced the creation of a cross-industry working group, including Network Rail, to investigate the potential for the East Coast route to enable their operation at 140mph.'

Photos before the launch are here.

We'll keep you updated as this fleet is launched, but for further details in the meantime please visit our archive posts. (16:45).
Regards:

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