Posted 26th October 2018 | 2 Comments
LNER cancels December Intercity Express launch
NEW fleets of Hitachi-built Intercity Expresses will not be entering service on the East Coast Main Line before next year.
LNER had been hoping to introduce the ‘Azumas’ with the December timetable change, but the launch has now been cancelled.
As predicted by Railnews on 10 October, the launch had been looking increasingly unachievable because various problems have arisen during tests, particularly emissions of electromagnetic interference which are affecting signals and other safety-critical equipment.
An LNER spokesman told Railnews that 'a number of matters' had contributed to the postponement of the launch, but he agreed that the electromagnetic interference was a cause of the delay.
He added that it is understood that Network Rail and Hitachi are close to reaching a workable solution to the electrical problems, but that LNER felt it would be better to introduce the trains into service only when all the queries had been resolved.
Reader Comments:
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david c smith, Bletchley
Today's TV news refers to hydrogen fuel cell traction as the future for non electrified lines, smething already now in service in Germany. Together with the rapid development of battery technology for rail use, and the phasing out of diesel for environmental reasons, why on Earth is a lot of investment cash being spent on these "Azuma" trains, anyway ? At present, the first cost of fuel cells is high, but likely to fall with time, whilst maintenance costs should be far lower. Another example of the unsuitability of Whitehall to be in charge of investment?
[Nice to hear that tv news has caught up with Railnews. HFC traction is certainly one option for non-electric lines which the industry is studying, along with alternatives such as battery-powered hybrids.--Ed.]
John Harper, Kelso
Well maybe they can use the delay to a) come up with a new livery which doesn't look like a Virgin Train (Garter Blue replacing red for First Class, Apple Green for Standard making it easier for people to know which is which) and b) what about using any compensation to fit a more comfortable type of seat. LNER may want to keep hold of more Mk4 sets to replace half a dozen 5 car Azuma's which could be used on a new Edinburgh to Cambridge / Stanstead service a big tourist / business market. The Azuma's may need powerpacks but the main capacity constaints on the ECML are between Peterborough and KX.