LNER – the intercity operator which operates trains on the East Coast Main Line, has unveiled interior mockups of its new trains.
The new fleet is to be known as the Serenza – or, for those of us who collect numbers, the Class 897.
According to LNER, the name is a hybrid of ‘serene’ and the Spanish-style suffix ‘-enza’, evoking a feeling of peacefulness and calm, combined with energy, movement, and modernity. The trains will replace the existing InterCity 225 fleet (Class 91 with Mark IV coaches), which are close to 40 years old
These trains are manufactured by CAF and financed by Porterbrook. The fleet is made up of tri-modal trains, meaning they are able to run on overhead electric power, alongside diesel engines and batteries when there are no overhead wires.
Each trainset will be 10-carriage in length, featuring a total of 569 seats across Standard and First Class, as well as wheelchair spaces with companion seating.
Class 897 First Class Interior and seating
Class 897 Standard Class interior and seating
As with the LNER Azuma trains, each seat will have its own plug socket, along with the introduction of USB-C ports for phone charging. At table seats, sockets and USB-C ports will feature in a power bar on the tabletop.
For those who require accessiblibity, tables have been redesigned to give more room for wheelchair users, seat legs have been moved, creating additional space for assistance dogs, a grab rail has been installed along the full length of the Café Bar, additional luggage racks will be in carriages with wheelchair spaces to reduce the likelihood of luggage misuse, and braille seat numbers will feature helping visually impaired customers find their seat more easily.
Class 897 Accessible/Wheelchair Space in First Class
This fleet will help support and accommodate strong demand for rail travel on the East Coast Main Line. Since Covid, LNER has seen a year-on-year increase in customers, with more than 24 million customers in 2024-25.
As well as new seats, the trains will feature information screens, as well as water filling facilities
LNER Information Screen
Water filling facilities
For Cyclists, it seems that LNER has listened to its customers, redesigning the bike storage space. They will feature easy-to-use bike straps enabling customers to quickly and efficiently secure their bikes while travelling by train.
LNER Class 897 Bike Storage Space.
Standard Class passengers will see a new and improved Café Bar, stocked with delicious food and drinks from local suppliers along the LNER route. Digital menu screens will show, in real-time, what is available to be enjoyed.
Toilet facilities have been redesigned with customer feedback in mind, featuring an improved wash basin design, baby changing tables, and clearer signage in accessible toilets.
In Quotes
Dr Linda Wain, Engineering Director at LNER, said:
“This is an exciting milestone for LNER as we reveal an insight into what our customers can expect from their journeys in the future and unveil a name. Our new fleet will bring more comfortable, more reliable, and greener journeys across the East Coast Main Line for decades to come and we are looking forward to their introduction in the coming years.
“Reaching this stage has taken a huge amount of work and it has been great to work in partnership with CAF as we design this new fleet of trains. As LNER continues to welcome more customers onboard, these trains will be vital in helping to meet demand for train travel while delivering a new, modern experience for our customers.”
Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, said:
“We’re investing in our railways and bringing train operators into public ownership to put passengers back at the heart of what the railway does. This new fleet will be introduced under Great British Railways and will make travel even better for passengers.
“A better, more attractive railway will drive economic growth, jobs and homes along the entire East Coast Main Line, and follows the new ECML timetable which is transforming journeys by unlocking thousands of extra seats and more cheap fares.”
Nearing Design Freeze
While most of the design of the fleet’s interior has been agreed upon, some minor changes may still be made until the project reaches design freeze.
Toward Great British Railways
Of course, all these brands are set to fade away as the UK edges closer toward Great British Railways (the nationalised public rail operator).
The Class 897 trains will be the first new fleet introduced as part of GBR. b As such, the trains will be operated under Great British Railways – the new nationalised organisation to run the country’s railway – and will be branded as such on their interior and exterior.
For now, LNER branding is the name of the game.
Looks are great. So are mockups. The real answer will come later
There are some interesting things in the mockup that are welcoming, especially in regard to accessibility on the train. For those taking bikes, it looks to be a better solution than some, although the proof will be in the pudding and how quickly they can be secured at train stops.
As for the seating, I’m sure there will be plenty of those who scream out ironing boards – but at least the base of them seems well-padded. However, as we all know, seating on trains (just like aircraft) is very much an individual taste.
Like most things, the real world experiance and final branding will be important, especially as the move towards Great British Railways continues apace.
All images, LNER.
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