HS2 Class 895s (Hitachi Alstom High-Speed)

[tfw756rider]

HS2 Ltd has revealed that the High Speed 2 (HS2) trains (which will be built by the joint venture HAH-S - Hitachi Alstom High-Speed) will be Class 895 trains, in this post on the HS2 Ltd website (a video that's embedded within it has since been directly embedded into post #3). Relevant section quoted below:

Rail enthusiasts heading to Alstom’s The Greatest Gathering event in Derby this weekend (1-3 August) will have the opportunity to see the concept designs for HS2’s Class 895 trains.

HS2 is joining forces with rail industry representatives to take part in what is believed to be ‘The Greatest Gathering’ of historic and modern trains and rail-related exhibits. The event will take place at Alstom’s Derby Litchurch Lane Works, which will open its doors to the general public for the first time in almost 50 years.

As part of the rail exhibition, focused on the future, visitors will be given the opportunity to book an exclusive tour of a life-size model carriage, which has been fitted out to illustrate the concept design for HS2’s Class 895 train.

 

[Pete_uk]

I've seen a picture supposedly of an interior.

I assume colour pigment didn't enter the designers mind as its about 5 shades of gray.

 

[Snow1964]

Released by HS2 as part of Rail 200 celebrations

Mock up of design of interior of new trains
Discusses various things in seats, wheelchair spaces, and interior elements

The big reveal: HS2 to showcase train interior design development

HS2 joins national celebrations to mark 200 years of the modern railway ‘Railway 200’ celebrates the past, present and future of rail HS2 to reveal train interior design concepts to the public for the first time View and download video and B-roll footage – train interior concepts – HS2 train...

mediacentre.hs2.org.uk

 

[Bletchleyite]

I've seen a picture supposedly of an interior.

I assume colour pigment didn't enter the designers mind as its about 5 shades of gray.

I saw one somewhere too and it looked pretty mediocre, as you say dull colours and FISA LEAN seats, which are an awful space-wasting design.

Hopefully feedback on the concept designs will allow some refinement.

The video explains that the colour is deliberately drab to avoid distracting from the actual comfort and functionality etc.

 

[Carnforth_24]

They’ve been known as Class 895s for many months.

 

[Sorcerer]

So this is the first I'm hearing of the TOPS designation for HS2 stock, but I suppose 895 makes sense since it'd be in line with next generation long-distant EMUs being designed with 8xx, and also specifically similar to Class 395 which will be by the same manufacturer and the next-generation of trains built alongside a high-speed rail link. A bit like 897s being of a similar design to 397s but more advanced as a new generation. Though part me of does wish it was also going to be the Class 1000 in line with Frecciarossa 1000 in Italy, but we can't have everything in life.

 

[croydontangle]

Very interesting watch. Good to see a lot of user testing being done and seemingly taken into account, the point near the start about the recessed handles being difficult to use for people with arthritis is one I hadn't considered before! Actual work on seats being done is also very welcome though I did find it laughable he called a FISA Lean/Fainsa Sophia looking seat "representative of good-quality seats"!

The drab interior makes sense to me now they've explained it. I hope that pink accent colour makes an appearance as I quite like how it looks.

 

[D7666]

Hopefully feedback on the concept designs will allow some refinement.

We have had about 3 decades of post BR privatisation concept / mock up designs and I can't think of one example that, far from being refined, was not dumbed down.

 

[43096]

We have had about 3 decades of post BR privatisation concept / mock up designs and I can't think of one example that, far from being refined, was not dumbed down.

Agreed. It'll only get worse. There was never any chance of us getting something as high quality as an ICE3neo.

 

[Energy]

I saw one somewhere too and it looked pretty mediocre, as you say dull colours and FISA LEAN seats, which are an awful space-wasting design.

Hopefully feedback on the concept designs will allow some refinement.

The video explains that the colour is deliberately drab to avoid distracting from the actual comfort and functionality etc.

The FISA LEANs are placeholders. They show a mockup of the seat design in the video, which reminds me of the TGV seats. The USB placement they show is pretty clever as well.

I think the grey in testing is a good idea. The LNER bright red seats hide some of the seat’s sins, in the design stage you want to see the problems.

I’m surprised but the very generous leg room. With a thinner back seat it would be even more impressive.

Oh and if HS2 are reading this… please put the reservations screens on the seat (like DB) and not above! It stops people having to lean across, and makes rearranging the seating layout in the future much easier.

 

[tfw756rider]

They’ve been known as Class 895s for many months.

After my original post (but before I saw this one of yours), I found out that until today (for 1 year and 3 months actually!) and for not that many people, that was indeed the case.

I was linked to an X post of the 21/4/24 by James S Welling / @SpeedySticks007 with LinkedIn screenshots, of which I've attached a crop of the relevant one (with the class number highlighted in green):

https://x.com/SpeedySticks007/status/1781985797664596031

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 29 Jul 2025 ==

So this is the first I'm hearing of the TOPS designation for HS2 stock, but I suppose 895 makes sense since it'd be in line with next generation long-distant EMUs being designed with 8xx, and also specifically similar to Class 395 which will be by the same manufacturer and the next-generation of trains built alongside a high-speed rail link. A bit like 897s being of a similar design to 397s but more advanced as a new generation. Though part me of does wish it was also going to be the Class 1000 in line with Frecciarossa 1000 in Italy, but we can't have everything in life.

Me too, and although I'm disappointed that it's not 852, I was thinking all the same bolded things as you.

It turns out that until today, the Class 895 designation was known (albeit to not that many people) for as long as 1 year and 3 months as of me posting this in July 2025 (yes, since April 2024) - see above.

 

[Sorcerer]

Me too, and although I'm disappointed that it's not 852, I was thinking all the same bolded things as you.

I'm interested to know your thought process that lead you to the number 852. Surprised the TOPS number hasn't been revealed until now though to be honest. In either case I just hope the 8xx designation doesn't mean it'll have more in common with the 80x InterCity trains than it will the Frecciarossa which are genuinely nice trains. No clinical lighting, nice and warm, and well air conditioned coaches. The orange and grey leather seating isn't a great combination though.

 

[michael8]

spatial awareness, not spacial awareness
Suggestion: Put the train headcode on all PIS onboard to make reporting incidents to BTP more easy.

 

[tfw756rider]

I'm interested to know your thought process that lead you to the number 852. Surprised the TOPS number hasn't been revealed until now though to be honest. In either case I just hope the 8xx designation doesn't mean it'll have more in common with the 80x InterCity trains than it will the Frecciarossa which are genuinely nice trains. No clinical lighting, nice and warm, and well air conditioned coaches. The orange and grey leather seating isn't a great combination though.

Another member of this site made up "852" and I actually thought it was quite clever, because 8 has the same "A" sound that's in H, 5 is like S, and 2 is, well, 2.

The TOPS class number had (as it turns out) been "revealed" in a way, as long as 15 months (!) ago, just not to that many people until the day this thread was started (hence why you and me didn't find out until said day). I know of a British railways YouTuber that was lucky enough to have seen it 15 months ago.

8xx doesn't necessarily mean Hitachi; indeed there will be CAF 897s. The 895s will, I believe, be based on the Alstom Zefiro platform, but, as I understand it, with some Hitachi technologies.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Jul 2025 ==

Suggestion: Put the train headcode on all PIS onboard to make reporting incidents to BTP more easy.

I think I've already seen this on at least one class of currently in-service trains. Could've been any of 196, 197, 350 (retrofit) or 730, I can't remember.

 

[Sorcerer]

Another member of this site made up "852" and I actually thought it was quite clever, because 8 has the same "A" sound that's in H, 5 is like S, and 2 is, well, 2.

Well, it's quite a unique line of thinking, but it sort of makes sense. Class 1000 still sounds better than both 852 and 895 in my opinion, but at least the TOPS classification makes sense.

8xx doesn't necessarily mean Hitachi; indeed there will be CAF 897s. The 895s will, I believe, be based on the Alstom Zefiro platform, but, as I understand it, with some Hitachi technologies.

Of course, and I am aware it'll be based on the Zefiro platform, but since buying out Bombardier I believe Alstom has mostly passed the platform over to Hitachi Rail Italy (formerly AnsaldoBreda), so I just hope that doesn't mean we get a high-speed IET instead of a scaled down Frecciarossa.

 

[FrontSideBus]

Are these still going to go 225mph? I'm sure I've read somewhere that the speed will be cut to 200 for cost reasons (what else?).

I like the fact that USB-C is shown on their seat mockups. At least now we have a chance of decent charging speed of phones, and even tablets and laptops!
My ThinkPad doesn't even recognise being plugged into a normal A power socket!

 

[RUK]

Since they’re faster than the CAF ones, I feel like they should have a higher number than the CAF ones - 898 or 899.

 

[Sorcerer]

Are these still going to go 225mph? I'm sure I've read somewhere that the speed will be cut to 200 for cost reasons (what else?).

I don't think the speed capability will be changed just because the line has been cut back. It's good futureproofing, and the Zefiro platform already has 400km/h (270mph) capable units in Italy, so 360/225 may still well be possible even if it never reaches those speeds in actual service. It's not quite unusual for trains or infrastructure to be built capable of going faster than they actually do in regular service. If anything should be changed, it's the number of coaches.

 

[Energy]

Are these still going to go 225mph? I'm sure I've read somewhere that the speed will be cut to 200 for cost reasons (what else?).

Still 225mph.

Since they’re faster than the CAF ones, I feel like they should have a higher number than the CAF ones - 898 or 899.

The class 374s are 200mph sets but have a lower number than many slower trains…

My ThinkPad doesn't even recognise being plugged into a normal A power socket!

Normal USB A is only 5V.

USB C is normally 5V but if both devices have USB PD chips the voltage can be stepped up to 9, 15 or 20V depending on what both devices can support.

Your Thinkpad is likely USB PD only so can’t charge off 5V.

Hope this helps

 

[Trainguy34]

I think I've already seen this on at least one class of currently in-service trains. Could've been any of 196, 197, 350 (retrofit) or 730, I can't remember.

The only ones I know of this happening on is the 345s, though I haven't been to Birmingham or Wales in a long time...

 

[pokemonsuper9]

The only ones I know of this happening on is the 345s, though I haven't been to Birmingham or Wales in a long time...

The Pendolinos also have it on their doors in the form VT1S78.

 

[Trainguy34]

The Pendolinos also have it on their doors in the form VT1S78.

Didn't realise that, will have a look next time I'm in the area

 

[whoosh]

Released by HS2 as part of Rail 200 celebrations

Mock up of design of interior of new trains
Discusses various things in seats, wheelchair spaces, and interior elements

The big reveal: HS2 to showcase train interior design development

HS2 joins national celebrations to mark 200 years of the modern railway ‘Railway 200’ celebrates the past, present and future of rail HS2 to reveal train interior design concepts to the public for the first time View and download video and B-roll footage – train interior concepts – HS2 train...

mediacentre.hs2.org.uk

Thankyou for posting that video. It explains the boringly dull grey. Intercity Mark 4s when first introduced, and Finnair planes use grey to nice effect, so grey isn't automatically rubbish, but the first photos came out a few months ago without that explaination and looked achingly dull.

It gives faith that much consideration and tweaking is being done by the design team.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Presumably the final internal and external livery will be determined by GBR.
Until nationalisation became a thing, the intention was that the ICWC operator (ie Avanti) would determine the branding along with other aspects of HS2 operation.
As far as I know Avanti is still part of the HS2 planning team, but doubtless this will be folded into GBR in due course.

 

[michael8]

Another member of this site made up "852" and I actually thought it was quite clever, because 8 has the same "A" sound that's in H, 5 is like S, and 2 is, well, 2.

The TOPS class number had (as it turns out) been "revealed" in a way, as long as 15 months (!) ago, just not to that many people until the day this thread was started (hence why you and me didn't find out until said day). I know of a British railways YouTuber that was lucky enough to have seen it 15 months ago.

8xx doesn't necessarily mean Hitachi; indeed there will be CAF 897s. The 895s will, I believe, be based on the Alstom Zefiro platform, but, as I understand it, with some Hitachi technologies.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Jul 2025 ==


I think I've already seen this on at least one class of currently in-service trains. Could've been any of 196, 197, 350 (retrofit) or 730, I can't remember.

I sent my suggestion to TfL after having to make a report to the BTP and being asked which train I was on.
Near impossible to say without a headcode reference, as on the Eliz line the trains are so frequent. "It arrived at TCR at about 1351" just isn't good enough!
The headcode is already displayed on every external PIS on every carriage on the Eliz line, just need to get it put inside the trains too, to help with identification.
If enough people suggest it, I'm sure it can be implemented. Can you all write to your TOC/TfL to get it implemented please ?

 

[RUK]

I sent my suggestion to TfL after having to make a report to the BTP and being asked which train I was on.
Near impossible to say without a headcode reference, as on the Eliz line the trains are so frequent. "It arrived at TCR at about 1351" just isn't good enough!
The headcode is already displayed on every external PIS on every carriage on the Eliz line, just need to get it put inside the trains too, to help with identification.
If enough people suggest it, I'm sure it can be implemented. Can you all write to your TOC/TfL to get it implemented please ?

You could use the carriage number in conjunction with the time, station, and direction. Carriage numbers are usually close to where the PIS displays are on the carriage inner ends, since both are on vertical surfaces perpendicular to the direction of travel.

 

[Envoy]

Having watched the video, it does not look to me that all passengers will have seat aligned to give window view. Perhaps the pillars should be slimmer - unless that compromises crash safety?

 

[michael8]

You could use the carriage number in conjunction with the time, station, and direction. Carriage numbers are usually close to where the PIS displays are on the carriage inner ends, since both are on vertical surfaces perpendicular to the direction of travel.

Hi RUK,
For a mainline train this might work, as arrival times will be spread out.
However, for the Elizabeth line, this is very difficult as the arrival time is not visible from within the carriage (there are no PIS visible on the platforms). You have to look at your watch, which may be out by a minute or two, and tell the approximate time it arrived at a particular station. With trains every 2-3 minutes, this is a very poor way of identifying a train.
Furthermore, as it is a walkthrough train, I haven't noticed any carriage numbers printed inside the train. See image below. If you are towards the back, it's very hard to know.
All this is rather silly, anyway, when the Headcode is displayed on a dot matrix on the OUTSIDE of every carriage already.
The Headcode should be on display within the trains to aid with identification in case of problems.

 

[Snow1964]

Interesting snippet in a tender announcement for abandoned procurement of platform edge doors on HS2. The reason given includes mixed fleet of different length rolling stock

Other Information​

The Platform Edge Doors procurement has now been abandoned due to the HS2 Reset Programme to improve the strategic and economic case of the HS2 project involving a mixed fleet of different length rolling stock.

https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2025/W31/851640587

Has anyone else heard about a mixed fleet of different lengths

 

[stuu]

Interesting snippet in a tender announcement for abandoned procurement of platform edge doors on HS2. The reason given includes mixed fleet of different length rolling stock

https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2025/W31/851640587

Has anyone else heard about a mixed fleet of different lengths

I don't think anything official has been announced, but it's glaringly obvious that something needs to change to maintain capacity on services which run off HS2