Class 810 for East Midlands Railway Construction/Introduction Updates

[185143]

On the 14:00 out of Sheffield.

Seen a couple of well known railway YouTubers about unsurprisingly. The plug socket at my seat doesn't work and it feels uncomfortably warm for my liking onboard, though does seem to be cooling down.

Feels more like a 745 than an IET to me really. I think it's because of the seats. It's not particularly busy and a huge improvement over the 222s they're replacing. Minor niggles aside, a big thumbs up from me.

 

[720144]

Forgot to ask who’s voicing on the automated announcements ?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Dec 2025 ==

Then it was catching up a late-running container train by Syston, so another few mins lost, but otherwise pretty much keeping up with the timings to Derby.

Still sticking to 2 minutes late on the return journey to London.

 

[sh24]

I’m on the 14:35 Nottingham and we have just filled up with LNER refugees for Grantham and Nottingham. The 14:32 Sheffield looked very very busy.

Glad I decided not to hang around for the Aurora.

 

[WesternLancer]

anyone got any pics from today to upload here by any chance?

 

[duffield]

Just a heads up for those wanting a ride on the 810, EMR services may get busy as LNER tickets are now being accepted due to a fatality

In view of that plus the other reports of crowding I'll hold off to a quieter time, probably early next week.

 

[norbitonflyer]

Also, a question for anyone who's covered the Leicester to Market Harborough section today, what's the noise difference like when the diesels start/stop?

On the return journey from Leicester now. (Quite fortuitous that I git back to the station at the right time to catch the same unit) I was listening out for the change in both directions but didnt notice any change when the diesels kicked in on the way out or cut out on the way back. The only thing I noticed was the thud of the pan dropping (was too far forward to hear anything on the way back

 

[stadler]

Forgot to ask who’s voicing on the automated announcements ?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 3 Dec 2025 ==


Still sticking to 2 minutes late on the return journey to London.

It is still Julie Berry just like on their 158 and 170 and 360 trains.

She can be heard at 04:08 in this linked 810 youtube video here.

 

[XCTurbostar]

Sounds like Julie

 

[duffield]

On the return journey from Leicester now. (Quite fortuitous that I git back to the station at the right time to catch the same unit) I was listening out for the change in both directions but didnt notice any change when the diesels kicked in on the way out or cut out on the way back. The only thing I noticed was the thud of the pan dropping (was too far forward to hear anything on the way back

Somehow that manages to be both very impressive, and slightly disappointing at the same time.

 

[stadler]

Does anyone know what method of guard operation is being used on these class 810 trains? Is it Guard Open Guard Close (like on EMRs class 158/170/222/360 trains? Or is it Driver Open Guard Close (like on the other types of IETs class 800/801/802/805/807 trains)? Or yet another method like ten bell?

 

[jontyasaurus]

Just rode from Chesterfield to Loughborough, and it's definitely a vast upgrade. I can feel the acceleration under diesel vs. the 222s, and it feels like a smoother ride than other 80x I've ridden on - either because it's brand new, or because of the redesigns!

If I had one small negative comment, it would be that the PA from the train manager was much quieter and inaudible compared to the automated announcements, but I'm sure that'll just be a dial to turn up somewhere.

I hope they can keep up the introductions with a new unit every week or two, and that the seats and carpets don't wear out too quickly...

 

[XCTurbostar]

Does anyone know what method of guard operation is being used on these class 810 trains? Is it Guard Open Guard Close (like on EMRs class 158/170/222/360 trains? Or is it Driver Open Guard Close (like on the other types of IETs class 800/801/802/805/807 trains)? Or yet another method like ten bell?

As per: https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/publications/train-manager-and-customer-hosts-class-810-introduction/

Its Driver Open, Guard Close

 

[absolutelymilk]

Just rode from Chesterfield to Loughborough, and it's definitely a vast upgrade. I can feel the acceleration under diesel vs. the 222s

Just to clarify, I'm hoping this means the acceleration is better than the 222s even when running on diesel?

 

[stadler]

As per: https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/publications/train-manager-and-customer-hosts-class-810-introduction/

Its Driver Open, Guard Close

I am just looking at your link and on page four it seems to suggest that it is actually Guard Open Guard Close operation.

The Train Manager will retain full control over the opening and closing of passenger doors and maintain all current safety-critical duties on Class 810 traction.

If this is true then the 810 is the first class of IET trains where the guard releases the doors instead of the driver.

 

[WesternLancer]

Just rode from Chesterfield to Loughborough, and it's definitely a vast upgrade. I can feel the acceleration under diesel vs. the 222s, and it feels like a smoother ride than other 80x I've ridden on - either because it's brand new, or because of the redesigns!

If I had one small negative comment, it would be that the PA from the train manager was much quieter and inaudible compared to the automated announcements, but I'm sure that'll just be a dial to turn up somewhere.

I hope they can keep up the introductions with a new unit every week or two, and that the seats and carpets don't wear out too quickly...

thanks for those pics and your thoughts about the train

 

[LowLevel]

As per: https://www.rmt.org.uk/news/publications/train-manager-and-customer-hosts-class-810-introduction/

Its Driver Open, Guard Close

It's guard open, guard close, but the driver selects the doors to open via the train management system.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

It's guard open, guard close, but the driver selects the doors to open via the train management system.

How does the guard know when the driver has selected the doors to open?
If unselected do all or none of them open?

 

[stadler]

It's guard open, guard close, but the driver selects the doors to open via the train management system.

It sounds like the 810s are similar to the 222s where the driver had to select the doors and press something before the guard could release them. I wonder if they did that on purpose to make them similar to the old stock.

Does the guard on the 810s have the ability to open their local door only and step out first? I seem to recall that on the 222s they had no local door open feature and had to open all of them with no ability to step out first?

 

[norbitonflyer]

"Call for Aid in Coach C" followed by five members of staff crowding outside the loo. Has someone got locked in?

 

[1D54]

I really hope not ( or a medical emergency) if the former then i can see no 810s out tomorrow.

 

[Maddog83]

The TMS system sends an alarm to the driver if the toilet had been occupied closed and locked for more than 15 mins! No safe space for fare evadors lol. The driver now deals with all CFA and PAU events.

Door control is selected by the drive by the ASDO system on the TMS ( well actually they train tells the driver what doors it's going to open) the drive stops in correct position and authorises door release to the TM. The TM can open local door 1st, step out then release all required and selected doors. The TM then does the normal PTI dispatch procedure.

 

[jontyasaurus]

Just to clarify, I'm hoping this means the acceleration is better than the 222s even when running on diesel?

Yes, I'm fairly confident it's an improvement at least. I'm aiming to catch it on the way back up later, unless it catches a fault...

 

[MargaretNoodle]

Just to clarify, I'm hoping this means the acceleration is better than the 222s even when running on diesel?

I took some basic GPS readings from the 810 today on a short diesel section, very provisional, but it would suggest overall the acceleration is about the same. 810 a little faster to about 40 and the 222 a bit faster to 110, but I think overall very similar performance although I have no idea how the units were being driven.

 

[sh24]

GWR’s IET - even when fuel pumps are working fine - feel very sluggish on diesel, whereas I find the 222 very sprightly. Great news if then 810s are consistently capable of a Meridian performance.

 

[swinny1990]

Aurora fleet enters into service: First customers travel on state-of-the-art train | East Midlands Railway News

Transport UK and EMR announce first new Aurora train has entered into service New trains provide more seats, modern, spacious interiors and enhanced accessibility features The state-of-the-art Hitachi Rail built fleet will transform the experience of customers as they travel on the Midland Main Line

news.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk

 

[800001]

"Call for Aid in Coach C" followed by five members of staff crowding outside the loo. Has someone got locked in?

I would hope not, as the accessible toilets should still be in the outer end coaches, and a toilet in coach C should just be a normal manual lock.

 

[midland1]

Can you tell from the front which is the first class end, you could tell on the class 222s by the yellow paint on the bar on the coupling.

 

[CTS1990]

I took some basic GPS readings from the 810 today on a short diesel section, very provisional, but it would suggest overall the acceleration is about the same. 810 a little faster to about 40 and the 222 a bit faster to 110, but I think overall very similar performance although I have no idea how the units were being driven.

Interesting readings. I hope John Heaton visits the MML next year for a ‘Practice and Performance’ article.

 

[43102EMR]

"Call for Aid in Coach C" followed by five members of staff crowding outside the loo. Has someone got locked in?

I’ve heard there’s an issue with the accessible toilet, is that in Coach C?

 

[800001]

Can you tell from the front which is the first class end, you could tell on the class 222s by the yellow paint on the bar on the coupling.

From pictures I've seen, no, can not tell from the front end.

Only by the side where windows are covered etc.