Class 810 for East Midlands Railway Construction/Introduction Updates

[Rob F]

Attached picture below taken November 2024, shows '1' at each end of carriage.

Why can’t we just have a yellow stripe?

 

[Lewis C]

Why can’t we just have a yellow stripe?

Because that wouldn't be in keeping with the EMR Brand/Design Guidelines. The Champagne colour signifies First Class and has done for a few years on most touch points for EMR.

That doesn't explain why it's yellow on the 222s (perhaps due to the white background), nor why it's not a Champagne stripe. Ultimately up to the Design Team providing it meets any relevant legislation/guidelines.

I know someone internally pushed for a yellow stripe but it would seem that hasn't happened.

*Edit for typo

 

[Trainman40083]

Because that wouldn't be in keeping with the EMR Brand/Design Guidelines. The Champagne colour signifies First Class and has done for a few years on most touch points for EMR.

That doesn't explain why it's yellow on the 222s (perhaps due to the white background), nor why it's not a Champagne stripe. Ultimately up to the Design Team providing it means any relevant legislation/guidelines.

I know someone internally pushed for a yellow stripe but it would seem that hasn't happened.

Just imagine the people who use more than one train operator. First class area is presented differently. You can see why British Rail had a standard. At least with Voyagers, a yellow bar on the coupling indicates the first class end . Of course, now Real Time Trains shows it too.

 

[43096]

Because that wouldn't be in keeping with the EMR Brand/Design Guidelines. The Champagne colour signifies First Class and has done for a few years on most touch points for EMR.

That doesn't explain why it's yellow on the 222s (perhaps due to the white background), nor why it's not a Champagne stripe. Ultimately up to the Design Team providing it means any relevant legislation/guidelines.

I know someone internally pushed for a yellow stripe but it would seem that hasn't happened.

This is where designers need to be told to take their crayons elsewhere. It's change for the sake of change - it ought to be standardised identification. Hopefully GBR will sort out this out as part of a re-branding.

 

[PJM]

This time 810009 through Market Harborough, Etches Park to STP on electric, so much quieter than the preceding 222!

 

[STINT47]

A yellow stripe is often used to denote first class not only in this country but on the continent as well. EMR should stick with it.

 

[Lyle_Lanley]

This is where designers need to be told to take their crayons elsewhere. It's change for the sake of change - it ought to be standardised identification. Hopefully GBR will sort out this out as part of a re-branding.

Or certainly at the very least told when creating any new designs that there are already some industry standard guidelines that must be adhered to. This surely must already be the case for safety or accessibility related reasons, but it would be good if it extended to “norms” like easily identifiable First Class or bicycle carriages.

 

[Davester50]

A yellow stripe is often used to denote first class not only in this country but on the continent as well. EMR should stick with it.

It was a UIC thing. Shame it's been lost.

 

[al2000]

Looks like a ten car test has just pulled into Derby. Will try and get a photo..

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Sep 2025 ==

Looks like a ten car test has just pulled into Derby. Will try and get a photo..

 

[Jacob Porrett]

Looks like a ten car test has just pulled into Derby. Will try and get a photo..

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Sep 2025 ==

Realtime Trains | 5Q61 1050 Sheffield to St Pancras International | 08/09/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q61 1050 departure from Sheffield to St Pancras International on 08/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

This?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Sep 2025 ==

Realtime Trains | 5Q61 1050 Sheffield to St Pancras International | 08/09/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q61 1050 departure from Sheffield to St Pancras International on 08/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

This?

810003 and 810004

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 8 Sep 2025 ==

Realtime Trains | 5Q62 1518 St Pancras International to Old Dalby | 08/09/2025

Real-time train running information for 5Q62 1518 departure from St Pancras International to Old Dalby on 08/09/2025. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

The pair go back to Old Dalby after their to London.

 

[800001]

810001 is due to be dragged top and tail Old Dalby to Merchant Park tomorrow.

 

[tfw756rider]

Apologies if I missed it, but does anyone in here know how many of the 33 Class 810 units have been built?

 

[800001]

Apologies if I missed it, but does anyone in here know how many of the 33 Class 810 units have been built?

Can't tell you how many built, but units up to 810018 (excluding 002 & 017) all seen outside at Newton Aycliffe.

 

[InTheEastMids]

Can't even remember if this is supposed to be news or not, but it certainly won't surprise anybody here. Harborough MP (and given some of his statements, possible Rail UK Speculative Forum lurker) Neil O'Brien has had DfT apparently confirm that the 810 entry into service is now 2026.

Link is to Harborough FM news website

Concern Over Delay To Rollout Of New Trains

There are calls for the government in intervene over the delay in introducing new trains on the midland mainline. East Midlands Railway’s fleet of Aurora Intercity trains were due start running thi…

harboroughfm.co.uk

East Midlands Railway’s fleet of Aurora Intercity trains were due start running this year, but will not enter service until sometime in 2026, after reportedly facing a series of teething problems during testing.

DfT language very much tries to distance itself from any accountability and place the onus squarely on EMR.

“We expect EMR to ensure that their new, modern intercity trains are introduced as quickly and smoothly as possible.

 

[800001]

Can't even remember if this is supposed to be news or not, but it certainly won't surprise anybody here. Harborough MP (and given some of his statements, possible Rail UK Speculative Forum lurker) Neil O'Brien has had DfT apparently confirm that the 810 entry into service is now 2026.

Link is to Harborough FM news website

Concern Over Delay To Rollout Of New Trains

There are calls for the government in intervene over the delay in introducing new trains on the midland mainline. East Midlands Railway’s fleet of Aurora Intercity trains were due start running thi…

harboroughfm.co.uk

DfT language very much tries to distance itself from any accountability and place the onus squarely on EMR.

Regards getting the 810s into service, I can't see what the Dft can actually do to get them into service earlier.

Hitachi are the issue, for not building a train to the quality and standard required.
The faults have been discussed here many many times, none of which can be blamed (for once) at the dft.

 

[43066]

DfT language very much tries to distance itself from any accountability and place the onus squarely on EMR.

I’m not sure that it does - it simply states that they’re expected to get them into service as quickly as possible, which isn’t unreasonable. It’s hardly EMR’s fault that the product hasn’t been up to scratch from a design and built quality perspective.

 

[Snow1964]

Regards getting the 810s into service, I can't see what the Dft can actually do to get them into service earlier.

Hitachi are the issue, for not building a train to the quality and standard required.
The faults have been discussed here many many times, none of which can be blamed (for once) at the dft.

Whilst DfT can't be blamed for the build quality, they have to take some blame for not understanding basic physics, and choosing the design.

The idea that it would be possible to knock 10% of the length of a vehicle with optimised distributed equipment and make all the equipment fit in and work properly should have caused a very high red flag in the risk analysis of DfT Dept reviewing the tenders.

 

[800001]

Whilst DfT can't be blamed for the build quality, they have to take some blame for not understanding basic physics, and choosing the design.

The idea that it would be possible to knock 10% of the length of a vehicle with optimised distributed equipment and make all the equipment fit in and work properly should have caused a very high red flag in the risk analysis of DfT Dept reviewing the tenders.

If a builder comes to you and says they can build it, you trust them. Especially a Japanese company! Again, I can't see how that can be blamed by Dft.

And. Actually was it not Abellio who ordered the train? So they selected the design etc?

 

[Nym]

If a builder comes to you and says they can build it, you trust them. Especially a Japanese company! Again, I can't see how that can be blamed by Dft.

And. Actually was it not Abellio who ordered the train? So they selected the design etc?

The same Japanese company with fleet wide solebar cracks, smashing repeatedly into bumpstops and the inability to protect the inside of a train from, well, rain?

 

[43096]

The same Japanese company with fleet wide solebar cracks, smashing repeatedly into bumpstops and the inability to protect the inside of a train from, well, rain?

So that was what was meant when we were told we'd get Japanese levels of reliability from them!

 

[43066]

Whilst DfT can't be blamed for the build quality, they have to take some blame for not understanding basic physics, and choosing the design.

The idea that it would be possible to knock 10% of the length of a vehicle with optimised distributed equipment and make all the equipment fit in and work properly should have caused a very high red flag in the risk analysis of DfT Dept reviewing the tenders.

But if Hitachi, as the manufacturer, states that they could build what was requested, then they’re the experts, and it seems reasonable for the DfT (or whomever) to rely on that. There should be strong contractual safeguards in place to deal with late delivery etc. and if there aren’t, perhaps that’s where the DfT has failed to negotiate properly.

 

[Bald Rick]

Whilst DfT can't be blamed for the build quality, they have to take some blame for not understanding basic physics, and choosing the design.

The idea that it would be possible to knock 10% of the length of a vehicle with optimised distributed equipment and make all the equipment fit in and work properly should have caused a very high red flag in the risk analysis of DfT Dept reviewing the tenders.

DfT neither chose the design or reviewed the tenders.

 

[800001]

The same Japanese company with fleet wide solebar cracks, smashing repeatedly into bumpstops and the inability to protect the inside of a train from, well, rain

What are you on about smashing into bumpstops? What does that mean?

And when has an 8Xx Suffered from rain inside the train as that is not something I've heard about, seen, or read about?

 

[tfw756rider]

Can't tell you how many built, but units up to 810018 (excluding 002 & 017) all seen outside at Newton Aycliffe.

Thanks, so at least about 16 / half-ish then.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Sep 2025 ==

Can't even remember if this is supposed to be news or not, but it certainly won't surprise anybody here. Harborough MP (and given some of his statements, possible Rail UK Speculative Forum lurker) Neil O'Brien has had DfT apparently confirm that the 810 entry into service is now 2026.

Link is to Harborough FM news website

Concern Over Delay To Rollout Of New Trains

There are calls for the government in intervene over the delay in introducing new trains on the midland mainline. East Midlands Railway’s fleet of Aurora Intercity trains were due start running thi…

harboroughfm.co.uk

DfT language very much tries to distance itself from any accountability and place the onus squarely on EMR.

It has been 2026 for at least a few months, but always good to have additional confirmation.

 

[Aspen90]

It doesn’t help matters that EMR have such abysmal comms. They’re always ‘approached for comment’ but either ignore or give one line responses. Where’s Will Rogers giving updates on this shambles? Wouldn’t get any of this from David Horne at LNER - they know how to do PR.

 

[Snow1964]

It doesn’t help matters that EMR have such abysmal comms. They’re always ‘approached for comment’ but either ignore or give one line responses. Where’s Will Rogers giving updates on this shambles? Wouldn’t get any of this from David Horne at LNER - they know how to do PR.

EMR have removed introduction date from the aurora page on their website.

However they have left it in their news pages, eg this one which says

The Hitachi built bi-mode trains will transform the experience of customers as they travel on the Midland Main Line when introduced during 2025 and throughout 2026.

First look inside EMR’s new Aurora Bi-mode fleet | East Midlands Railway News

EMR release new photos of their new Intercity fleet interior Hitachi built trains include brand new seat designs, air conditioning, WiFi, power sockets and passenger information screens

news.eastmidlandsrailway.co.uk

which rather implies remainder during 2026, and nothing slipping into 2027 etc

 

[BigB]

What are you on about smashing into bumpstops? What does that mean?

And when has an 8Xx Suffered from rain inside the train as that is not something I've heard about, seen, or read about?

I think they may have been referring to air-con related issues when first released, not necessarily actual rain… not something I’ve ever experienced on Azumas though.

 

[prj372]

What are you on about smashing into bumpstops? What does that mean?

And when has an 8Xx Suffered from rain inside the train as that is not something I've heard about, seen, or read about?

I have a feeling perhaps that the rain comment refers to the 800's at Dawlish? Storm water being washed over the top of the trains and affecting roof mounted equipment?

 

[800001]

I think they may have been referring to air-con related issues when first released, not necessarily actual rain… not something I’ve ever experienced on Azumas though.

So one train, on introduction day for GWR. Hardly a failure.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Sep 2025 ==

I have a feeling perhaps that the rain comment refers to the 800's at Dawlish? Storm water being washed over the top of the trains and affecting roof mounted equipment?

The poster clearly states 'protect inside of the train from rain'.

Yet I'm not aware of any train getting a load of rain water dumped inside it.

Yes, as you write, they are affected by Dawlish at times and that is well documented.

 

[hwl]

So one train, on introduction day for GWR. Hardly a failure.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Sep 2025 ==


The poster clearly states 'protect inside of the train from rain'.

Yet I'm not aware of any train getting a load of rain water dumped inside it.

Yes, as you write, they are affected by Dawlish at times and that is well documented.

It was along time ago but the but I think the GWR launch train with some key people on it had leaking air handling units. There may well be an old Roger Ford or similar column featuring the shower.

Edit to add sky news article (the first item Google found) from 2017

Frustration as air con fault and delays taint launch of new high-speed train

The Transport Secretary was one of those on board the debut service, which suffered delays and a leak en route to London.

news.sky.com