Your rides and experiences on EMR Class 810 Aurora units

[duffield]

On 1D61 1705 St Pancras International to Nottingham today, travelled end to end, unit 810013.

The trip was entirely uneventful, we left one minute late and arrived bang on time.

Everything seemed to be working as intended including the 1st class accessible toilet. Two pleasant cups of coffee and two shortbreads were consumed, and maybe about ten confused people and chancers were expelled from 1st, no sign of Hitachi engineers scurrying around (unlike my previous trip), loading probably about 50% (probably due it being "slack Monday"), otherwise nothing to report.


I've also posted today on the "810 introduction thread" in regard to the A/C and toilet indicator since although those were evident today, those are general design issues, not faults, and not related to my particular trip experience.

 

[Starmill]

I noticed on my journey on Sunday that the loading indicator was very optimistic.

I was standing in the aisle in the first class driving vehicle and noticed that it was consistently showing red for first class and green 3/4 full for the rest of the train. The entire train was the same, all the way from London to Sheffield.

That was despite there being significantly more people sitting on the floor and standing than there were sat in the 22 first class seats. After Leicester I witnessed some conflict as a result of that too where an older lady tutted at a man who'd been sat on the floor in the centre of the carriage and said to her companion "well there are seats in the other carriages so I don't know why they're all insisting on sitting on the floor". She had also asked about catering and the staff told her they weren't able to serve anything due to the train being full of standing passengers so I think we can guess why she was unhappy.

The Hitachi people and the train manager were very annoyed with everyone sitting on the floor too because it was absolutely painful with them trying to squeeze past so many people right up to the kitchen doors.

 

[duffield]

I noticed on my journey on Sunday that the loading indicator was very optimistic. I was standing in the aisle in the first class driving vehicle and noticed that it was consistently showing red for first class and green 3/4 full for the rest of the train. The entire train was the same, all the way from London to Sheffield. That was despite there being significantly more people sitting on the floor and standing than there were sat in the 22 first class seats. After Leicester I witnessed some conflict as a result of that too where an older lady tutted at a man who'd been sat on the floor in the centre of the carriage and said to her companion "well there are seats in the other carriages so I don't know why they're all insisting on sitting on the floor". She had also asked about catering and the staff told her they weren't able to serve anything due to the train being full of standing passengers so I think we can guess why she was unhappy.

The Hitachi people and the train manager were very annoyed with everyone sitting on the floor too because it was absolutely painful with them trying to squeeze past so many people right up to the kitchen doors.

Maybe the load indicators need calibrating or something?

 

[43096]

There’s a good review of the 810s in the February Modern Railways by Ian Walmsley. It’s generally positive - in his view they are a big improvement on the 80x fleets - although the heating gets a justifiable pasting. In round terms, good, but not as good as a Mark 3.

 

[Frank43064]

I find the interior of the 810 quite claustrophobic with the roof feeling a lot lower than the 222s shaped interior ceiling. The AC Is also very noisy. Lights are too bright but better than a lot of other trains in the UK.

The seats aren't as comfortable as the 222s but they're passable.

Livery wise I noticed a few differences from 222104. The shade of purple i think could be differ inside the EMR roundel. Also i don't think the two lines should close up at each end of the coach, rather it should carry on until the cabs like on 104. I think the shade of purple in general is a bit off but i suppose it will weather in.

They look quite cool and they sound nice.
Quite a lot of standing space too if it comes to it, but hopefully this wont be needed when most services are doubled up.

A huge drawback for me is that theres only a snack trolley. not really good enough, especially when doubled the whole train wont be walk through and when busy it just completely blocks up the train.

Overall they are okay, but nothing amazing

 

[Starmill]

Maybe the load indicators need calibrating or something?

Maybe, although I don't think I've seen them reflecting reality on hardly any British trains.

 

[Merle Haggard]

My second journey was in the first of the motor coaches and I personally found this a big improvement over the 222s' MC, although I'm not entirely favourable to white plastic (associated with hospitals...) there was more of an impression of space and the solid bulkhead and door separating the two sections also helped the quieter ambience.

In the 222s' first there are a few seats with a poor view out (one having a blank panel disguised by a curtain which cannot be opened) but all the seats lined up with windows on the 810.

Making a constructive observation; I don't think that the external first class markings are conspicuous (also, there's no yellow cantrail line) and no marking on the windows.

The seats have 'First Class' embossed into the headrest but it doesn't really show up. The experience at Kettering was that passengers with standard tickets made the genuine mistake of not realising they have joined the first class carriage. It is a difficult matter of diplomacy for the on-board staff to advise accordingly.

As mentioned above acceleration away from Kettering did make my ears 'pop' but curiously I didn't have that happen leaving Harboro'. The loudest sound was the fan of the overhead air con fan, but perhaps just a worn-out bearing.

As, I think, not all 810 cars are powered I'n not sure if the composite is MC or TC, same with DF.

 

[liamf656]

As, I think, not all 810 cars are powered I'n not sure if the composite is MC or TC, same with DF.

810s are formed of

DPTF
MC
TS
MS
DPTS

 

[Merle Haggard]

810s are formed of

DPTF
MC
TS
MS
DPTS

Thanks - didn't realise there were only 2 motor cars. Should have read the 810 threads more closely, sorry!

 

[liamf656]

Thanks - didn't realise there were only 2 motor cars. Should have read the 810 threads more closely, sorry!

No apologies needed! I had to dig out my information to refer back

Something I should have added too is that all but the centre coach have diesel engines, and that on electric only the rear pantograph is raised

 

[Merle Haggard]

No apologies needed! I had to dig out my information to refer back

Something I should have added too is that all but the centre coach have diesel engines, and that on electric only the rear pantograph is raised

Interesting because on the Avanti bi-modes the pan used, in my travels, is the one at the front on the Up. Produces lots of resonance in the DPF which may or may not be connected. Possibly wind noise from turbulence around the nose. One might expect, with a pan at each end, the intention is that the rear one is used - this was the practice on AL's/8x locos when they had two pans I think because of the orientation of the upper arm

 

[800001]

Interesting because on the Avanti bi-modes the pan used, in my travels, is the one at the front on the Up. Produces lots of resonance in the DPF which may or may not be connected. Possibly wind noise from turbulence around the nose. One might expect, with a pan at each end, the intention is that the rear one is used - this was the practice on AL's/8x locos when they had two pans I think because of the orientation of the upper arm

Front pan is used on TPE and Avanti.

LNER use rear Pan.

 

[Merle Haggard]

Front pan is used on TPE and Avanti.

LNER use rear Pan.

Thank you; but do you know why there's the difference by any chance? Avanti and LNER both have both bi-mode and straight electric so that's not the reason.

 

[800001]

Thank you; but do you know why there's the difference by any chance? Avanti and LNER both have both bi-mode and straight electric so that's not the reason.

LNER chose to use the rear. Gives a bit more protection incase of overhead line damage.

To note about Avanti, when they were on test from factory and on delivery to Avanti; the rear pan was used in both bimode and the 807 electric versions.

 

[Merle Haggard]

LNER chose to use the rear. Gives a bit more protection incase of overhead line damage.

To note about Avanti, when they were on test from factory and on delivery to Avanti; the rear pan was used in both bimode and the 807 electric versions.

Thanks again. Just wonder if using the rear pan results in the possibility of dirt, carbon etc displaced by the pan head's passage (particularly on damp mornings) ending up on the rear windscreen (similar to HSTs' original exhaust problem). Using the front one it would just end up on roofs. Just a guess!

 

[duffield]

810s are formed of

DPTF
MC
TS
MS
DPTS

Just for the benefit of anyone like me who had to head-scratch for a few minutes (what on earth is "P"? ....Oh, of course, it's pantograph!):

DPTF--Driving-Pantograph-Trailer-First
MC----Motor-Composite
TS----Trailer-Standard
MS----Motor-Standard
DPTS--Driving-Pantograph-Trailer-Standard

 

[QSK19]

Thanks again. Just wonder if using the rear pan results in the possibility of dirt, carbon etc displaced by the pan head's passage (particularly on damp mornings) ending up on the rear windscreen (similar to HSTs' original exhaust problem). Using the front one it would just end up on roofs. Just a guess!

IMO a very conceivable consequence of using the rear pan; though I would assume that the benefit of slightly more time to drop the rear pan if there are any issues with the wires would override the risk of any potential dirt landing on the rear windscreen.

 

[Crithylum]

Just rode on one. The seats are awful; worse than a 720. The lip of the seat is far too hard, although I suspect this will fix itself over time as it gets more worn and softer. Although the seats are better than the metal bar 800, or the ironing board 387/700. Other than that the train was very high quality; good ride, aesthetically pleasing interior, low noise (compared to Meridians).

 

[Mikw]

Every journey i've tried to take on one has ended up being a Meridian.....maybe one day.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

I must be the only one here that would probably prefer a Meridian, in either class

 

[physics34]

First ride on one today.. 810010. Ive been hearing good things about them. Sadly i got my hopes up as they have all the ingredients of the other hitachis.. infact a little less legroom than the AVC ones.
They may have a slightlier springier seat base.. im pretty sure they havent put springs in the bases again yet, it must be because the foam is new. The ride quality also a tad better but maybe that is because the MML rides better anyway generally!

I Do like the interior colours and externally that actually look really nice with gold front and piping on the sides.

Interior lighting STILL an issue.

 

[Trainman40083]

First ride on one today.. 810010. Ive been hearing good things about them. Sadly i got my hopes up as they have all the ingredients of the other hitachis.. infact a little less legroom than the AVC ones.
They may have a slightlier springier seat base.. im pretty sure they havent put springs in the bases again yet, it must be because the foam is new. The ride quality also a tad better but maybe that is because the MML rides better anyway generally!

I Do like the interior colours and externally that actually look really nice with gold front and piping on the sides.

Interior lighting STILL an issue.

I can't say I have an issue with them. If it turns up and gets me home, that is a good start

 

[InvHst]

Well I've been whizzing around the UK with a 7 day all line rover and today I was EMR territory.....

I feared the worst when I seen my first traction in the area would be a 810 instead of a 222 like I thought....

However, I was pleasantly surprised I had 810013 from Chesterfield to Leicester, which wasn't rammed.

Aircon in my coach worked most of the toilets were working and was a very smooth ride I had no complaints on them. It's just a shame that others are so riddled with problems.

 

[Railperf]

As long as the toilets are working, the 810'a offer a more passenger friendly environment than the 222's - which are in a tired state.

However, when I have been aboard an 810 there is more of a nagging doubt as to whether it will reach it's destination without a fault. Don't think I had a journey yet that didn't develop some fault along the way.

 

[Vexed]

Well I've been whizzing around the UK with a 7 day all line rover ...

I'm also on an ALR this week, I was on EMR yesterday and no complaints with the 810 at all (in First).

I know others have complained about the AC's noise but I didn't notice it as an issue. We did pick up a slight delay for seemingly no reason.

First was well patronised, probably slightly more than usual as the service after was cancelled part of the temporary timetable.

We did pass a 222 that has sat down near Market Harborough and hadn't moved for 45 minutes or so.