Azuma trains resume services again on East Coast line
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London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has reintroduced services and expects to operate a 'robust weekday timetable' from today as trains are returned into service.
A number of Hitachi Class 800 trains from several companies were removed from service last week for precautionary checks.
The Azuma trains operate on LNER's East Coast line which links Badenoch and Strathspey with the Central Belt, the North-East of England and London.
Hitachi, train operators and the UK government, with oversight from the rail regulator, have since agreed and implemented a service recovery plan for the safe reintroduction of the Class 800 trains, helping to get more passengers moving on the rail network.
LNER services north of Edinburgh to Aberdeen and Inverness – including the strath – resumed over the weekend after the successful completion of further safety checks.
The company has also said an amended timetable is in place until early next month while Network Rail continues to deliver East Coast upgrade works at London King’s Cross station.
David Horne, LNER managing director, said: “I would like to thank our customers for their understanding over the past week and I am pleased we have since been able to step up our services.
"We continue to work together as an industry on the recovery plan for any affected trains, with all trains being checked before they leave the depot.
"Safety remains our top priority.”
All of the Hitachi-manufactured Azuma trains have been checked for potential cracks on their chassises after Great Western Railway, who also operate the model, discovered the defect during routine maintenance.
LNER has said all of its services are reservation only at this time to enable customers to travel with confidence during the pandemic.
Cleaning has been enhanced onboard trains and in stations.
Customers must wear face coverings with travelling on the trains unless they are exempt.
The latest travel information and updates can be found at lner.co.uk .
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