Class 810 for East Midlands Railway Construction/Introduction Updates

[QSK19]

Sampled one today for a short journey in first class. Comfortable I thought and good to see decent wind ow alignment.
Standard looked a bit cramped tho I didn’t sit in it. Not many table seats in my view.

Tables in standard are what they’re noticeably lacking. I seem to recall the layout diagram in the vestibule showing 4 tables per standard class carriage.

 

[WesternLancer]

Tables in standard are what they’re noticeably lacking. I seem to recall the layout diagram in the vestibule showing 4 tables per standard class carriage.

It seems to vary a bit depending on the carriage. But not much.

 

[222001]

It seems to vary a bit depending on the carriage. But not much.

A = 2
B = 6
C = 4
D = 2

 

[800001]

Tables in standard are what they’re noticeably lacking. I seem to recall the layout diagram in the vestibule showing 4 tables per standard class carriage.

More tables = less seats.

 

[AndrewJM70]

Does anyone have a heads up on the delivery schedule through the first part of 2026? I am assuming that more sets should start arriving from January?

 

[liamf656]

Does anyone have a heads up on the delivery schedule through the first part of 2026? I am assuming that more sets should start arriving from January?

There should be a steady flow of units throughout 2026

 

[WesternLancer]

A = 2
B = 6
C = 4
D = 2

Thanks.

 

[QSK19]

More tables = less seats.

I didn’t necessarily mean that as a criticism. In fact, personally, I would rather have a higher quantity of airline style seats with half decent legroom rather than loads of tables taking space up.

 

[WesternLancer]

More tables = less seats.

Yes. But but you don’t need all the seats all the time and the more packed in the more people put bags on seats next to them etc so it’s a false equation imho.

More legroom = less seats.
But that’s undesirable too.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Dec 2025 ==

I didn’t necessarily mean that as a criticism. In fact, personally, I would rather have a higher quantity of airline style seats with half decent legroom rather than loads of tables taking space up.

You need a good mix to meet the needs of the various sorts of passengers you wish to attract to use your service.

 

[QSK19]

You need a good mix to meet the needs of the various sorts of passengers you wish to attract to use your service.

That I do agree with - having absolutely no tables in a carriage would be unforgivable, especially for an IC service.

 

[43102EMR]

That I do agree with - having absolutely no tables in a carriage would be unforgivable, especially for an IC service.

Sadly that’s been the de facto move with the Hitachi units since they were first introduced. Less tables for greater seating capacity was what was favoured, which isn’t great for group travel in particular.

 

[WesternLancer]

Sadly that’s been the de facto move with the Hitachi units since they were first introduced. Less tables for greater seating capacity was what was favoured, which isn’t great for group travel in particular.

Presumably just the mantra that emanated from DfT that led to the ghastly GWR HST standard class refurbs.
Numbers of seats becomes a ‘target’ to measure.
Pointless.

 

[800001]

Sadly that’s been the de facto move with the Hitachi units since they were first introduced. Less tables for greater seating capacity was what was favoured, which isn’t great for group travel in particular.

You reply think that's Hitachi's fault, they deliver what the customer wants, and that is more airline seats than tables.

 

[AlterEgo]

That I do agree with - having absolutely no tables in a carriage would be unforgivable, especially for an IC service.

Works fine in many parts of the world with a much better intercity train service than ours.

 

[WesternLancer]

Works fine in many parts of the world with a much better intercity train service than ours.

Works for who? Operator or passenger. Are people just given what they get given?

It doesn’t need to be a binary thing. A variety is possible.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Dec 2025 ==

You reply like that's Hitachi's fault, they deliver what the customer wants, and that is more airline seats than tables.

But the customer’s customer doesn’t get much choice…

 

[AlterEgo]

Works for who? Operator or passenger. Are people just given what they get given?

The Shinkansen is a vastly superior train service in every respect and not a table to be seen. The lack of tables contributes to a hugely better ambience; something I've noticed in the many places which have airline style seating only.

I don't think "no tables" is the anathema some people feel it is. We used to run trains where every seat was a table seat and you had to sit facing strangers all the time.

 

[720144]

001 was test unit for many years and is now back at Aycliffe for a full rebuild and interior fit out.

004 based at Old Dalby for testing (interior fitted)

007 remains at Newton Aycliffe, presume needs a rewire of unit based on press reports of 'Thermal Incidents'.

001-005 and 007 should be the last to be delivered to EMR. Most of these were test units so won't have been complete when they were sent for their tests. Which is why although they were the first to be built they still need bringing up to a standard worthy of passenger service

Many thanks. I’ve got a feeling the final unit 033 will already be tested & in service by the time all the early units 001-005/007 are ready, only time will tell.

 

[WesternLancer]

The Shinkansen is a vastly superior train service in every respect and not a table to be seen. The lack of tables contributes to a hugely better ambience; something I've noticed in the many places which have airline style seating only.

I don't think "no tables" is the anathema some people feel it is. We used to run trains where every seat was a table seat and you had to sit facing strangers all the time.

Thanks for those observations.

 

[Railperf]

First Saturday diagram starting today with 810010 on 0850 Nottingham to St Pancras


1B25 0850 NOT STP 1027
1D31 1105 STP NOT 1251
1B52 1312 NOT STP 1454
1D53 1535 STP NOT 1709
1B79 1750 NOT STP 1927
1D96 2005 STP NOT 2148

 

[GoneSouth]

Works for who? Operator or passenger. Are people just given what they get given?

Definitely rather have more seats and more chance of getting one than sitting opposite someone with terrible eating habits or watching them pick their nose, or someone who thinks the whole table is their personal office space, or even people who use the whole table as their empty beer can store.

How many groups get group table seats on long haul airlines? None, but they still happily go on holidays.

 

[sh24]

Any ideas if there will be a Sunday diagram?

 

[Goldfish62]

Yes. But but you don’t need all the seats all the time and the more packed in the more people put bags on seats next to them etc so it’s a false equation imho.

You need a good mix to meet the needs of the various sorts of passengers you wish to attract to use your service.

Wise words.

When I'm travelling on my own I want an airline seat every time - privacy and being able to stretch my legs out. When in a group of more than two I prefer a table.

So as you say there's a balance to be struck and it would be impossible to meet everyone's view of what that balance should be.

 

[WesternLancer]

Definitely rather have more seats and more chance of getting one than sitting opposite someone with terrible eating habits or watching them pick their nose, or someone who thinks the whole table is their personal office space, or even people who use the whole table as their empty beer can store.

How many groups get group table seats on long haul airlines? None, but they still happily go on holidays.

But I guess you must be ok sitting next to someone doing those things beside you?
Each to their own.

 

[AndrewJM70]

Are any running from Sheffield today?

 

[800001]

The latest unit to commence testing is 810011 which ventured onto the mainline last night as 5Q08 Merchant Park to York.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Dec 2025 ==

Are any running from Sheffield today?

Post 5238 shows today's diagram, so no, not to Sheffield.

 

[QSK19]

But I guess you must be ok sitting next to someone doing those things beside you?
Each to their own.

The only way you’ll get a seat on your own, ultimately, is an airline seat in first class. So, it won’t be a perfect outcome for solo travellers who want their own space.

I’ll have a short run in first class one day and see what that’s like. Might take the kids too given that their feedback is more interesting than my own!

 

[Railperf]

Is there any significance in the fact that unit 010 is out for second day in a row and that unit 006 has not been seen since it was taken out of service on Wednesday?

 

[WesternLancer]

The only way you’ll get a seat on your own, ultimately, is an airline seat in first class. So, it won’t be a perfect outcome for solo travellers who want their own space.

I’ll have a short run in first class one day and see what that’s like. Might take the kids too given that their feedback is more interesting than my own!

Not sure if there are any airline seats in first. Tho I was on it only v briefly yesterday.

 

[QSK19]

Is there any significance in the fact that unit 010 is out for second day in a row and that unit 006 has not been seen since it was taken out of service on Wednesday?

The problem with 006 must have been more fundamental than initially thought.

I could foresee them rushing to get a replacement unit ready to swap out 006 for that.

I stand corrected by insiders, though.

 

[43102EMR]

You reply think that's Hitachi's fault, they deliver what the customer wants, and that is more airline seats than tables.

No it doesn’t, most of it is down to DfT initial specs which is why most of the older units are not that great to begin with