Class 800 bi-mode multiple units

Contemporary & Heritage-Preserved, Diesel, Diesel-Electric and Electric Locomotives

A history of Class 800 bi-mode trains

[Author and photographer © Dr WP Brown PhD (plus 'DocsPics' help from AI these days), page updated May 9th 2026]

Introduction

British Rail Class 800 units (electro-diesel) were manufacturer Hitachi and built at Hitachi Kasado (pre-production in Japan) and fitted out by Hitachi Newton Aycliffe (production). Class 800 are referred to by the family name A-Train. Class 800 are designed to replace Class 180, InterCity 125 Class 43) and InterCity 225 (Class 91) trains on the East Coast Mainline.  Class 800 units were constructed from 2014 - 2018 and consist of 5-car and 9-car formations operated by Great Western Railway ((destinations to Bristol/Weston-Super-Mare and South Wales and the Cotswold Line) and the London North Eastern Railway (all destinations on East Coast Main Line.

Specifications of Class 800 bi-mode EMU units

Class 800 Car body construction is aluminium

Class 800 Maximum speed 125 mph (201 km/h) and 140 mph (225 km/h using ETCS in cab signalling).

Class 800 Traction system 120 kW (160 hp) per axle; Prime mover(s) MTU 12V 1600 R80L, total 700 kW (940 hp).

Class 800 Engine type V12 diesel - cylinder count 12; Power output 560 kW (750 hp) per engine

Class 800 Acceleration 1.6 mph/s (2.6 km/(h⋅s)); 0.70 m/s/s)

Class 800 Deceleration 2.3 mph/s (3.7 km/h/s)) in service, 2.7 mph/s (1.2 m/s/s) emergency

Class 800 Electric system(s) 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead lines; Current collection method Pantograph

Class 800 Safety system(s) AWS, TPWS, ETCS, ATP (GWR Units)

The British Rail Class 800 is a type of bi-mode multiple unit designed and produced by Hitachi for use in the United Kingdom. Class 800 use electric motors for traction, but in addition to operating on track with overhead electric wires, Class 800 units also have diesel generators to enable them to operate on un-electrified track. They are very similar to the Class 802 units, which have uprated diesel engines and larger fuel tanks. Class 800 units first entered service on the Great Western Main Line in 2017, under the brand name "Intercity Express Train (IET)" and Class 800 units entered service on the East Coast Main Line later in 2019, under the brand name "Azuma."  Class 800 trains were being assembled at the Hitachi Newton Aycliffe facility, alongside the related Class 801 electric multiple unit, from bodyshells shipped from the Kasado plant in Japan; no body construction takes place in the UK.

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Side view of cab of sub-class 800/2

Class 800 bi-mode trains featured on this page:

Sub-Class 800/0 (Intercity Express Train 5 car sets) 800021 (operator: Great Western Railway, GWR)

Sub-Class 800/1 (Azuma 9 car sets): 800102 800103 800105 800106 800107 800108 800110 800112 (operator: London North Eastern Railway, LNER)

Sub-Class 800/2 (Azuma 5 car sets): 800201 800208

Bi-mode Class 800/2 Class 800 800201 stopping at Peterborough Station with an LNER/Azuma service from Lincoln to London, Kings Cross (February 2023)

The rear of Class 800 800110 LNER/Azuma service from Kings Cross, London, to Inverness heading north through Peterborough Station (February 2023)

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The rear of bi-mode multiple unit Class 800 800106 LNER/Azuma service from Kings Cross, London, to Edinburgh heading north through Peterborough Station (February 2023)

LNER Class 800 bi-mode multiple unit 800106 arriving at York with an AZUMA Express service from Edinburgh Waverley to London Kings Cross station (Oct 2012).

Bi-mode multiple unit train Class 800/0  800021 (800 021) at Great Malvern station with a GWR service from Worcester to Paddington (July 2021)

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New in 2019 the LNER AZUMA services on the East Coast Main Line

Azuma Class 800 EMU 800108 (9-car bi-mode DMU/EMU Sub-class 800/1) entering York Station with an LNER  Edinburgh - Kings Cross service (Aug 1st 2020).

The interior seating and tables inside the new Class 800 carriages.

Azuma Class 800 EMU 800108 (9-car bi-mode DMU/EMU Sub-class 800/1) standing at Platform 5 York Station with an LNER  Edinburgh - Kings Cross service (Aug 1st 2020).

Azuma Class 800 EMU 800108 (9-car bi-mode DMU/EMU Sub-class 800/1) leaving York Station with an LNER  Edinburgh - Kings Cross service (Aug 1st 2020).

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Bi-mode Class 800 800/1 800105 at Platform 5 York station with an Edinburgh-KX AZUMA LNER service (Oct 2019)

Class 800 sub-class 800/1 unit 800102 with an LNER AZUMA KX-Edinburgh service at Northallerton station (Oct 2019)

Bi-mode Class 800 800106 at York station with a KX - Edinburgh AZUMA LNER service (Oct 2019)

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Class 800 sub-class 800/1 bi-mode unit 800107 at Leeds station with an AZUMA LNER service to London Kings Cross (13/09/2019)

Class 800 bi-mode unit 800108 (above) and Class 800 800102 (below) leaving Doncaster with AZUMA LNER services to KX (13/09/2019)

A Class 800 800103 AZUMA LNER train service from Leeds to KX leaving Doncaster (13/09/2019)

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Class 800 800105 AZUMA LNER service from KX to Leeds entering Doncaster station (13/09/2019)

Above/below Class 800 bi-mode unit 800106 entering Doncaster station with an LNER KX-Leeds service (13/09/2019)

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Class 800 (sub-class 800/1) 800107 on a test run at York station (August 2019)

The interior of a Class 800 EMU coach

Class 800 (sub-class 800/1) 800107 on a test run at York station (August 2019)

Class 800 800112 with an LNER York to KX service (August 2019)

Class 800 9-car 800108 non-stop for KX (Peterborough station July 2019)

The old (Class 91 91109) and the new (Class 800 800110) passing each other at Peterborough (July 2019)

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above below Class 800 9-car 800110 with an LNER KX-Leeds service (Peterborough July 2019)

Class 800 9-car 800107 on a test run at Leeds (March 2019)

	Night shot Class 800 (sub-class 800/1) 800107 in the LNER AZUMA livery for the East Coast Mainline, on a test run at Leeds Station (Nov. 2018) TOP of PAGE

above/below Class 800 800112 LNER service to KX (Grantham July 2019)

Above/below Class 800 800108 LNER KX Leeds (Grantham station, July 2019)

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Class 800 (sub-class 800/2) 800201 in plain grey livery, in York on a test train from Doncaster/Newark Northgate (York November 2018)

A classic view Class 800 (sub-class 800/2 5-car unit) 800201 York (test run, Nov. 2018)

Class 800 (sub-class 800/2) bi-mode unit 800201 now in LNER AZUMA livery at Doncaster station on a training run (13/09/2019)

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Class 800 9-car 800112 (Peterborough July 2019)

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Class 800 9-car unit 800102 leaving Peterborough for KX, London (July 2019)

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More information on Class 800

Class 800 fleet details

Class 800 operators and depots

Great Western Railway GWR)

North Pole
Stoke Gifford
Maliphant

London North Eastern Railway (LNER)

Bounds Green
Doncaster Carr
Craigentinny

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A history of Class 800 bi-mode trains

The Class 800 is the core bi‑mode train of the UK's Intercity Express Programme (IEP), built by Hitachi between 2014 and 2018 to replace the InterCity 125 and InterCity 225 fleets on the Great Western and East Coast Main Lines.

Below is a structured, detailed history aligned with your interest in technical lineage, timelines, and comparative railway evolution.

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Origins and Strategic Purpose of the Class 800 bi-mode trains

The Class 800 emerged from the Intercity Express Programme (IEP), launched by the Department for Transport in 2005 to modernise long‑distance services. The goal was to replace ageing HSTs and IC225s with faster‑accelerating, more efficient, and more reliable trains.

Key drivers behind the programme

• Replace InterCity 125 and InterCity 225 fleets.

• Provide bi‑mode capability to cope with patchy electrification.

• Reduce journey times and improve environmental performance.

• Introduce a standardised, modular fleet based on Hitachi’s A‑train platform.

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Development and Construction Timeline of the Class 800 bi-mode trains

2005–2011: Programme definition

• 2005: IEP launched by DfT.

• 2007: Invitation to tender issued.

• 2009: Agility Trains (Hitachi-led consortium) selected as preferred bidder.

• 2011: Final decision to proceed with IEP and electrify the Great Western Main Line.

2013–2018: Manufacturing

• Bodyshells fabricated at Kasado Works, Japan.

• Final assembly at Newton Aycliffe, County Durham (opened 2015).

• Construction period: 2014–2018.

2016–2017: Launch and testing

• First Class 800 unveiled: 13 November 2014 (Kasado).

• First Azuma test run: 16 August 2017 in Scotland.

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Entry into Service of the Class 800 bi-mode trains

• Great Western Railway (GWR): 16 October 2017.

• London North Eastern Railway (LNER): 15 May 2019 (after takeover from Virgin Trains East Coast).

GWR brands them Intercity Express Trains (IET); LNER brands them Azuma (“East” in Japanese).

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Operational Role of the Class 800 bi-mode trains

Class 800s operate on:

• Great Western Main Line (London–Bristol–Cardiff–Exeter–Penzance).

• East Coast Main Line (London–Leeds–York–Newcastle–Edinburgh).

They replaced:

• Class 180 Adelantes

• InterCity 125 (HST)

• InterCity 225 (Class 91 + Mk4) sets

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Technical Characteristics of the Class 800 bi-mode trains

Bi‑mode capability

The Class 800 is an electro‑diesel unit:

• Primary traction: 25 kV AC overhead.

• Secondary traction: MTU 12V 1600 R80L diesel engines (3 per 5‑car, 5 per 9‑car).

• Power per engine:

  • GWR: 700 kW

  • LNER: 560 kW

Performance

• Max speed: 125 mph (200 km/h).

• Acceleration: 0.7 m/s².

• Braking: Electro‑pneumatic + regenerative.

Formation

• 5‑car sets: DPTS–MS–MS–MC–DPTF

• 9‑car sets: DPTS–MS–MS–TS–MS–TS–MC–MF–DPTF

Construction

• Aluminium bodyshells (A‑train modular design).

• Single‑leaf sliding pocket doors.

• Dellner 10 couplers (interworking with Class 801/802).

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Issues and Modifications of the Class 800 bi-mode trains

Early service revealed fatigue cracking and corrosion around yaw damper mounts and anti‑roll bar brackets on aluminium bodyshells. This led to temporary withdrawals and a major inspection/repair programme.

Additionally, delays in Great Western electrification meant that originally planned Class 801 electric units were converted to bi‑mode and reclassified as Class 800/3.

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Fleet Overview of the Class 800 bi-mode trains

Total built: 80 sets

• 36 × 800/0 (GWR, 5‑car)

• 13 × 800/1 (LNER, 9‑car)

• 10 × 800/2 (GWR, 5‑car)

• 21 × 800/3 (GWR, 9‑car)

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Significance of the Class 800 bi-mode trains

The Class 800 represents:

• The UK's first mass‑produced bi‑mode high‑speed fleet.

• A major shift to modular aluminium construction and Japanese‑influenced reliability engineering.

• A cornerstone of modern intercity services, reducing journey times (e.g., Edinburgh–London reduced by 22 minutes).

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My Archive Steam Photos from the 1960s

docspics images photos photographs pictures © Dr Phil Brown * Treyn Railway Holidays to France, Italy and Spain from Class 800 bi-mode trains Booking tickets for Great Railway Journey luxury Rail Trip holidays Train travel in Europe Rail holidays from Class 800 bi-mode trains to the USA & Canada luxury train through the Rocky Mountain Canadian rail railway holidays through the Rockies US Cities by train from Class 800 bi-mode trains  Continental rail holidays to France Germany Italy Austria Switzerland Glacier Express Treyn Holidays from Class 800 bi-mode trains from Eurostar to Paris Brussels Avignon Turin Turino Rome Roma Florence Firenze TGV fast trains Railway travel holidays special steam excursions from Class 800 bi-mode trains great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains Class 800 bi-mode trains Travelling by train always seems a pleasure, especially if through wonderful scenery  to Class 800 bi-mode trains in England, Scotland, Wales or on holiday in the rest of Europe! The railway trip from Class 800 bi-mode trains involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive in action and there is nothing like the sight and sounds of a steam train to invoke feelings of nostalgia in some of us to Class 800 bi-mode trains even more luxury by having a special trip out on a steam dining train! England Scotland Wales Northern Ireland top class hotels in Class 800 bi-mode trains dining out travel tours top tourist destinations tourist information on Class 800 bi-mode trains weekend breaks mini-breaks family holidays restaurants touring coach trips from Class 800 bi-mode trains continental tours cruise ships pleasure cruises summer breaks spring breaks continental winter breaks European winter holidays spring holidays summer holidays European Rail tours Railway travel holidays special steam excursions from Class 800 bi-mode trains A great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains European Rail tours US and Canadian Railway travel holidays special steam excursions to Class 800 bi-mode trains A great steam heritage line and offers luxury Pullman coach dining trains Travelling by train from Class 800 bi-mode trains always seems a pleasure, especially if through wonderful scenery either in England, Scotland, Wales or on holiday in the rest of the railways of Europe! The railway trip involves seeing or travelling behind a 'real' steam locomotive or heritage diesel in action on a special trip from Class 800 bi-mode trains Booking Eurostar Continental Rail Travel Tour Tickets Stuttgart Brussels Eurostar Brussels from Class 800 bi-mode trains by TGV to Ebbsfleet International, Ashford International Stratford International, St Pancras International Paris Gare du Nord Paris Gare de Lyon Paris Gare de L'est Paris Gare Montparnasse by Eurostar from Class 800 bi-mode trains London to Paris, Eurostar London - Brussels Eurostar London to Lille deals bargain city breaks Great Railway Journey holidays in Italy, Spain and France by TGV booking from Class 800 bi-mode trains

Good trainspotting 'TRAINSPOTS' Good trainspotting and photographic locations  Barnetby Station, North Lincolnshire  *  Carlisle Station  *  Clapham Junction Station, London  *  Colton Junction, south of York  * Coventry *  Crewe Station  *  Doncaster Station, South Yorkshire  * Grantham * Hellifield station - Carlisle to Settle line * Lancaster station  * Leicester station * Newcastle Station  *  Northallerton Station  *  Nuneaton Station  * Peterborough *  Sheffield Station  *  Stratford Station, East London * Tamworth * Warrington Bank Quay station * Wigan North Western - WCML *  York Station

See other TOPS classes of diesels and electrics * Class 01 * Class 02 * Class 03 * Class 04 * Class 08 * Class 09 * Class 10 * Class 11 * Class 14 * Class 20 * Class 24 * Class 25 * Class 26 * Class 27 * Class 31 * Class 33 * Class 35 * Class 37 * Class 40 * Class 43 * Class 44 * Class 45 * Class 47 * Class 50 * Class 52 * Class 55 * Class 56 * Class 57 * Class 58 *  Class 60 * Class 66 * Class 67 * Class 68 * Class 70 * Class 71 * Class 73 * Class 76 * Class 77 *  Class 84 * Class 86 * Class 87 * Class 88 * Class 90 * Class 91 * Class 92 * Derby Lightweight * Class 101 * Class 108 * Class 114 * Class 117 * Class 120 * Class 121 * Class 122 * Class 127 * Class 141 * Class 142 * Class 144 * Class 150 * Class 153 * Class 155 * Class 156 * Class 158 * Class 159 * Class 165 * Class 166 * Class 170 * Class 172 * Class 175 * Class 180 * Class 185 * Class 195  * Class 196 * Class 197 * Class 220 * Class 221 * Class 222 * Class 252 * Class 313 * Class 315 * Class 317 * Class 319 * Class 320 * Class 321 * Class 322 * Class 323 * Class 325 * Class 331 * Class 332 * Class 333 * Class 334 * Class 350 * Class 357 * Class 360 * Class 365 * Class 373 * Class 375 * Class 376 * Class 377 * Class 378 * Class 379 * Class 380 * Class 387 * Class 390 * Class 395 * Class 414 * Class 423 * Class 442 * Class 444 * Class 450 * Class 455 * Class 458 * Class 460 * Class 465 * Class 466 * Class 489 * Class 507/508 * Class 700 * Class 730  * Class 755 * Class 800 * Class 801 * Class 802 * Class 803 *  Class 805 * Class 3000 *

INDEX of My IMAGES OF PRESERVED STEAM LOCOMOTIVES

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