https://www.lner.co.uk/news/first-t...BNPXTwpCqBN3HGpEC0ZNEHhHsHZJNE55B_z-yB5W3C1K0 Exciting news. We're finally getting a new intercity fleet that's not an 80x variant. 10 sets will be ordered, each 10 cars long, and they'll replace the Class 91s. They're tri mode, so in addition to overhead power and diesel engines, they'll have a battery mode too. Looking at the artist's impression, they'll be based off the 397s, which is great because I think they're the best looking trains running in the UK right now. On a more sombre note, we now a date for the remaining Class 91s execution, that being around 2027.
If they only replacing the 91’s I doubt I will see them, I’m sure the 91’s only go as far up as Leeds & York though if they went further up I’d hope these would get rid of the ironing board seats, whoever thought they were a good idea has never clearly been on a train.
Considering they're still at least 4 or 5 years away we'd have to wait until whatever TSW title is around in 2027 (I'm guessing TSW8). More likely the Class 91s will appear first, which does seem to be very highly requested, especially from me. I'd love to see the 397s in the game though! A WCML North route would be fantastic. I believe LNER only have around seven IC225 left, so there's some extra with the new trains. They've got diesel engines so it's likely that in addition to the Leeds and York trains they'll appear on Harrogate and Lincoln services, the latter I believe LNER want to extend to Cleethorpes. I would also expect them to fill in for Edinburgh services from time to time if 80x availability is low, which it often is. For what it's worth I'd expect them to be more comfortable than the Azumas. I've only ridden a 397 once but it was a three hour journey from Glasgow to Manchester so I had plenty of time to form an opinion on them. I found them to be much more pleasant trains than the 80x family. The seats weren't anything to write home about but I didn't find them uncomfortable.
Are the Class 800s really that bad from an operational standpoint that LNER has opted to order a small fleet of a completely different type? It could have something to do with CAF offering a cheaper option, but long term you would have thought it would be more efficient to consolidate on a single fleet type and order more 800s.
Apparently yes. It seems that LNER are really unhappy with Hitachi over the 80xs. The issue with cracks is still fresh in their memory, and their reliability generally isn't great. Hitachi did bid for this new fleet, but they were rejected.
Truly a shame the 91 and MK4 sets are going to be coming to an end. I think these new replacements look rather ugly, the Azuma looks nicer and I'm saying that as someone who doesn't like the 800 family either. The more modern things get, the blander they become. I'm not surprised CAF got the job though, those "donations" appeared to have done their job
I have to disagree there. The 397s are way better looking than any 80x variant. Yeah those donations to the tories are a bit dodgy, but I think LNER have wanted CAF trains for a while now, this just "persuaded" the DFT to let them have them.
Beating round the bush, and ignoring one of these reasons above, it is less of a case of wanting CAF and more a case of not wanting to deal with someone else because, as has been suggested above, that someone else are being a real pain in the rear, even if their trains are lovely (if you ignore their 'teething' issues). Realistically the 225s won't last forever and, officially, we've been told once the ECML south of Peterborough goes digital the 225s will go, though there is a 'rumour' that the thing that will give them their final blow is the ever reducing amount of spares, so take that as you will. From what I have seen and heard so far, they should be half decent units on the whole, though there is still a long way to go for things to get better or worse!
I've been told by several sources that the 225 sets (91s) will be withdrawn next month during the timetable changes. They do only currently run to Leeds and York (2-3 per day) but there was talk of them being used up to Newcastle which didn't happen. I'm not sure if the sets will be back out next year or not. As for these new CAF tri-mode units, if they look like the concept artwork, I'm not a fan.
