New classes 2025

[norbitonflyer]

Two years ago I started a thread remarking on the cornucopia of eight new classes expected to be introduced in 2024 on national Rail, and two on TfL

New class bonanza in 2024?

If everything that's supposed to actually comes to pass (including all those that should have, but did not, come into service by now), we can expect eight new TOPs classes to enter service in 2024 - Classes 93, 398, 555, 701, 756, 805, 807 and 810. This is more than in the last three years...

www.railforums.co.uk

One year ago we observed that only five of the eight classes had actually enetered service - 555, 701, 756, 805, 807, two of those classes with only a handful in service by year end

One year further on and Classes 93 and 810 have joined in (and arguably class 99, as some of its trials have been on revenue earning trains), along with - briefly - the new DLR units, and Class 701 has still got less than 50% in service.

But still no sign of Class 398 or the 2024 Tube stock in service

 

[tfw756rider]

Two years ago I started a thread remarking on the cornucopia of eight new classes expected to be introduced in 2024 on national Rail, and two on TfL

New class bonanza in 2024?

If everything that's supposed to actually comes to pass (including all those that should have, but did not, come into service by now), we can expect eight new TOPs classes to enter service in 2024 - Classes 93, 398, 555, 701, 756, 805, 807 and 810. This is more than in the last three years...

www.railforums.co.uk

One year ago we observed that only five of the eight classes had actually enetered service - 555, 701, 756, 805, 807, two of those classes with only a handful in service by year end

Not too bad though, could've been worse.

One year further on and Classes 93 and 810 have joined in (and arguably class 99, as some of its trials have been on revenue earning trains), along with - briefly - the new DLR units, and Class 701 has still got less than 50% in service.

If you include subclass introductions of 2025, also 730/2 (which has some major differences to 730/0) and 756/0 (only 756/1 had been in service in 2024).

But still no sign of Class 398 or the 2024 Tube stock in service

Both are expected to enter service at some point in 2026 though, aren't they? Also, "new" classes aren't everything, as there are also existing classes that haven't yet entered service on all of their lines, for example the 197s on the Cambrian (for which driver training started in December 2025 and entry to service is expected in 2026, but later than the 398s). 197041 won't even leave the factory until 2026! Also the Chiltern 196s on East West Rail.

 

[778]

Not too bad though, could've been worse.


If you include subclass introductions of 2025, also 730/2 (which has some major differences to 730/0) and 756/0 (only 756/1 had been in service in 2024).


Both are expected to enter service at some point in 2026 though, aren't they? Also, "new" classes aren't everything, as there are also existing classes that haven't yet entered service on all of their lines, for example the 197s on the Cambrian (for which driver training started in December 2025 and entry to service is expected in 2026, but later than the 398s). 197041 won't even leave the factory until 2026! Also the Chiltern 196s on East West Rail.

What is expected to be the next class to enter service after the 398s and 2024 tube stock? Will it be quite a while before we see any more new classes?

 

[pokemonsuper9]

What is expected to be the next class to enter service after the 398s and 2024 tube stock? Will it be quite a while before we see any more new classes?

Likely 897 I think.
Although I'd say there's an argument the pure-battery 230 should count as its own thing and that might enter service.

 

[xotGD]

Most importantly, the Mark 5a sets will re-enter service this year. And in December will be fully deployed for the first time.

 

[tfw756rider]

Likely 897 I think.
Although I'd say there's an argument the pure-battery 230 should count as its own thing and that might enter service.

I reckon it will be the Grand Central and extra Hull Trains/Lumo Hitachi AT300s (which, granted, don't yet have class numbers) in 2028, and then the LNER 897s in 2029 due to the delays caused by a supplier's factory flooding (following 398 and 2024 tube stock in 2026 and 345071-345080 in 2027). Not actually that much is it, and no "new classes" entering service in 2027.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

I reckon it will be the Grand Central and extra Hull Trains/Lumo Hitachi AT300s

I forgot about them when I checked my list

(which, granted, don't yet have class numbers)

and that's why they weren't on the list.

But yes, it doesn't look like we'll be seeing any more soon apart from the 2024 stock and 398s.

 

[Bornin1980s]

LNER 897s in 2029 due to the delays caused by a supplier's factory flooding

When and where was the flooding?

 

[tumbledown]

When and where was the flooding?

Presumably the floods in Valencia in Oct 2024.

 

[Mikey C]

Presumably the floods in Valencia in Oct 2024.

The rain in Spain, falls mainly on the LNER trains...