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Introducing…. the Virgin Azuma.

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Virgin Trains East Coast today announced what they’ll be calling their new fleet of trains.

Ladies and Gentlemen – Presenting the Virgin Azuma.

Here’s the rendering:

Virgin Trains Azuma - Image, Virgin Trains

And here it is in real life:

Let’s cut out the PR waffle in the press release and get onto the nitty-gritty.

The Virgin Azuma (translated from Japanese: East) is a brand name for the new Intercity Express Programme trains – currently known as the Class 800 and Class 801.

The Japanese connection? These are being manufactured by Hitachi Rail – who have manufactured the pre-production series in Kasado in Japan, and will be manufacturing the production series in Newton Aycliffe in the north-east of England.

These new express trains are being introduced along the Great Western Main Line (as part of its electrification) and the East Coast Main Line (which Virgin Trains East Coast operate).

The differences between them?

  • The Class 800 is a Dual Mode Electric/Diesel Multiple Unit, allowing to operate on electrified and non-electrified routes.
  • The Class 801 is an Electric Multiple Unit

Initially, these train will operate at 125mph in sections along the East Coast Main Line with Virgin Trains East Coast and Network Rail seeing if they can bring the line speed up to 140mph.

Virgin Trains East Coast has listed some benefits including:

  • Faster train times
  • New destinations on the Virgin Trains East Coast route
  • Onboard Free WiFi
  • Onboard Shop

Meanwhile, there have been renderings of how the trains will look on the inside too:

Virgin Trains Azuma First Class- Image, Virgin Trains
Virgin Azuma First Class Seating – Rendering, Virgin Trains

Virgin Trains Azuma Standard Class- Image, Virgin Trains
Virgin Azuma Standard Class Seating – Rendering, Virgin Trains

Seating remains in the “Intercity style”, with seating 1-2 in First Class, and 2-2 in Standard Class.

Virgin Trains currently operate the classic Class 43 High Speed Train (Diesel) and the more modern Class 91 Electric Locomotive with Mark IV carriages

All being well with the testing and construction of the Azzuma – you’ll see them on the East Coast Main Line in 2018.

If you want to see what they look like sooner, you might want to keep an eye on the Great Western Railway – operating on the Great Western Main Line – who are planning introduction in 2017…

 

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Comments

  1. Candy says

    For a moment I had a fantasy that something like that train could run the “East Coast” of the US….. Ha ha ha .
    It is so convenient, fast and comfortable to take trains in many European countries. I avoid Amtrak like the plague .

  2. Nick Burch says

    You might see them first on the East Coast line after all – the GWR electrification is apparently behind schedule and over-budget, so may not be ready in time for the scheduled introduction of their trains…

    (Network Rail haven’t done any major electrification schemes for a very long time, and apparently their models were out of date, and there turned out not to be as many trained staff available to hire as they’d needed)

    • Kevincm says

      With Network Rail… anything is possible. The Great Western Electrification is turning into a farce as it is.

      Who knows – by the time they’ve done it right, they may be able to get the wires strung up right for the Midland Main Line Electrification…

      Or dread the thought – HS3.

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