LNER Azuma Trials on the MML

[mono1989]

Morning All,

I've heard a whisper that some of the LNER Azuma fleet are going to begin test runs on the MML from next week.

I can't seem to find any of the schedules. Would anyone know when/where these are running?

 

[westcoaster]

Already done once a few years back iirc.
Had also heard there will be a series of runs.

 

[ajp999]

Perhaps they are planning to swap them with the 810s

 

[Hairy Bear]

Nah, stock to supplement the Skeggy's.

 

[Kite159]

Maybe they are looking into running a limited service from St Pancras on days when the ECML is closed to aid reduce overcrowding on the EMR services as they have finally noticed that given the option passengers prefer using a train then a replacement bus

 

[MCR247]

Hull Trains 802s already run to St Pancras sometimes during engineering works so I’m surprised any extra checks are needed

 

[800002]

It could be some sort of route learning rather than physical tests with the units, I guess?

Would there be much difference between the Hull Trains fleet and the LNER fleet?

 

[The Planner]

Hull Trains 802s already run to St Pancras sometimes during engineering works so I’m surprised any extra checks are needed

Still needs tests and paperwork done for statement/summary of compatibility as they are still a differrent sub class.

 

[D7666]

AIUI all previous 80x test tuns were all diesel only the whole way on MML including STP Bedford as well as Bedford / Kettering / Wigston.

Hull trains also /were/ all diesel only all the way to/from STP at least in diversions up to 2025 and I can see though from my residence and the passed me in Luton always pans down on diesels - I don't know what they have done so far this year and I myself not seen any.

Almost certainly LNER tests are for electric operation proving etc for the compatibilty stuff.

 

[Peterthegreat]

Due to platform limitations at St Pancras International suspect any Lner service will probably terminate at Bedford for Thameslink connections.

 

[Segedunum]

Maybe they are looking into running a limited service from St Pancras on days when the ECML is closed to aid reduce overcrowding on the EMR services as they have finally noticed that given the option passengers prefer using a train then a replacement bus

Its less "finally noticing" and more being able to make it work given the platforming constraints at St Pancras.

I can't reveal too much other than that its to do with route proving rather than anything to do with EMR nabbing any Azumas.

 

[JonathanH]

Due to platform limitations at St Pancras International suspect any Lner service will probably terminate at Bedford for Thameslink connections.

Or Kings Cross via Ferme Park, if the blockade is further north?

 

[The Planner]

Due to platform limitations at St Pancras International suspect any Lner service will probably terminate at Bedford for Thameslink connections.

I doubt they would bother if that was the case.

 

[Porty]

I doubt they would bother if that was the case.

But wouldn't it save a lot of money for GBR as a whole. No need for paying for (unpopular) rail replacement buses.

 

[GraphitProjekt]

I hope they'll be able to run pan up south of Leicester. The Hull Trains diversions were diesel all the way down from Doncaster.

 

[JonathanH]

But wouldn't it save a lot of money for GBR as a whole. No need for paying for (unpopular) rail replacement buses.

They would still need to pay for replacement buses for stations directly affected by the engineering work, so no, not really. Diverting trains from Doncaster on the MML to London still means that passengers have to have buses to reach Peterborough, Grantham, Newark and Retford, for instance, on a London to Peterborough block.

At present, there is already a mix of passengers doing 'do-it-yourself' diversions and passengers using a bus link.

 

[800001]

Due to platform limitations at St Pancras International suspect any Lner service will probably terminate at Bedford for Thameslink connections.

The plan the last I heard (last year) was for a service to Operate from St Pancras to Doncaster none stop where passengers would change to ECML services.

I think it was planned to be one service per hour in each direction.

 

[The Planner]

But wouldn't it save a lot of money for GBR as a whole. No need for paying for (unpopular) rail replacement buses.

No, as @JonathanH has noted, they still need to run buses. This would help the long distance flows, but intermediate ECML stops still require RRB.

 

[Kite159]

Can a 9 coach 800 fit on the MML platforms at St Pancras, I know a 10 coach formation can't (hence the need to redesign the 810s to be shorter)?

I guess in theory if LNER run an hourly service towards Scotland, nonstop London to Doncaster (or York), it could reduce demand on EMR services. In addition to the usual replacement buses between Bedford & Peterborough (or elsewhere depending on where the block is)

 

[800001]

Can a 9 coach 800 fit on the MML platforms at St Pancras, I know a 10 coach formation can't (hence the need to redesign the 810s to be shorter)?

I guess in theory if LNER run an hourly service towards Scotland, nonstop London to Doncaster (or York), it could reduce demand on EMR services. In addition to the usual replacement buses between Bedford & Peterborough (or elsewhere depending on where the block is)

Yes a 9 car can fit, and the plan is exactly as you write. To help reduce the pressure on EMR.

 

[Porty]

They would still need to pay for replacement buses for stations directly affected by the engineering work, so no, not really. Diverting trains from Doncaster on the MML to London still means that passengers have to have buses to reach Peterborough, Grantham, Newark and Retford, for instance, on a London to Peterborough block.

At present, there is already a mix of passengers doing 'do-it-yourself' diversions and passengers using a bus link.

Oh yes. Obvious really. I was just thinking of the long distance travelling to/from London.

 

[43 302]

Fair play to those commenters adding their opinions and stating them as such. There is some accurate guesswork in this thread. There is also plenty of rubbish stated as if it is fact.

The test run will be the night of the 3rd of June, and you can see the path, and it's destination, when it is published.

 

[liamf656]

Fair play to those commenters adding their opinions and stating them as such. There is some accurate guesswork in this thread. There is also plenty of rubbish stated as if it is fact.

The test run will be the night of the 3rd of June, and you can see the path, and it's destination, when it is published.

Care to explain which posts are false and why?

 

[Supercoss]

28th March 2025 last time one visited St Pancras under cover of darkness

 

[43 302]

Realtime Trains | 5Q10 1925 Leeds to Leicester | 03/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q10 1925 departure from Leeds to Leicester on 03/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q11 2200 Leicester to Bedford | 03/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q11 2200 departure from Leicester to Bedford on 03/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

 

[High Dyke]

Its less "finally noticing" and more being able to make it work given the platforming constraints at St Pancras.

I can't reveal too much other than that its to do with route proving rather than anything to do with EMR nabbing any Azumas.

Perhaps they're trying to show the 810 fleet up.

 

[The Planner]

Realtime Trains | 5Q10 1925 Leeds to Leicester | 03/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q10 1925 departure from Leeds to Leicester on 03/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Realtime Trains | 5Q11 2200 Leicester to Bedford | 03/06/2026

Real-time train running information for 5Q11 2200 departure from Leicester to Bedford on 03/06/2026. From Realtime Trains, an independent source of train running info for Great Britain.

www.realtimetrains.co.uk

Why are they running under Rail Adventure? Are they piloting?

 

[westcoaster]

No LNER driver has route knowledge and maybe they will be conducted by a freight driver.

 

[2001olib]

Timed for 110mph, so running on diesel?

 

[800001]

Why are they running under Rail Adventure? Are they piloting?

railadventure are providing drivers for the moves.