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| British Rail Class 800 | |
|---|---|
| Name | British Rail Class 800 |
| Service | 2017–present |
| Manufacturer | Hitachi |
| Family | A-train |
| Yearconstruction | 2014–2018 |
| Numberbuilt | 122 sets |
| Formation | 5 or 9 cars |
| Operator | Great Western Railway; London North Eastern Railway; Hull Trains; TransPennine Express (formerly) |
British Rail Class 800 is a diesel and electric multiple unit built by Hitachi as part of the A‑train family for the United Kingdom's Intercity Express Programme. Introduced into service from 2017, the type operates on mainline routes formerly served by InterCity 125 and InterCity 225 sets, and forms the backbone of long‑distance fleets operated by Great Western Railway, London North Eastern Railway, Hull Trains and others. The design emphasises modular construction, bi‑mode capability, and compliance with modern crashworthiness standards set after the Railway Safety Directive reforms.
The Class 800 project originated from contracts awarded under the Intercity Express Programme led by Department for Transport and procured alongside other rolling stock for the UK rail network modernisation. Developed by Hitachi Rail in collaboration with Stadler‑style partners and UK supply chain firms including Siemens subcontractors and Bombardier component suppliers, the A‑train aluminium monocoque concept was adapted for UK loading gauge and platform interface issues informed by research from Network Rail and Transport for London accessibility guidelines. The procurement process involved commercial negotiations with private operators such as FirstGroup and Stagecoach Group and was shaped by regulatory oversight from the Office of Rail and Road and technical standards from RSSB.
Class 800 sets use aluminium car bodies with bogies derived from Hitachi designs tested on trials including routes used by DfT demonstrators. Power is provided by underfloor diesel engine generators coupled with transformer and traction converters enabling both diesel and electric operation at speeds up to 125 mph, compatible with National Rail signalling systems including AWS and TPWS. Train control systems integrate with ERTMS trial installations and deliver passenger services with amenities managed via Wi‑Fi subsystems, passenger information units by suppliers such as Bombardier Transportation units and HVAC by Siemens. Braking is blended regenerative and pneumatic, coordinated with onboard computers meeting crashworthiness criteria influenced by post‑Ladbroke Grove rail crash reforms. Formation options (five or nine cars) provide flexibility for different route capacity requirements and depot maintenance regimes at sites including Hitachi Newton Aycliffe and Doncaster works.
Introduced on intercity corridors, Class 800s replaced fleets including British Rail Class 43 HSTs and British Rail Class 91 locomotives on routes such as Great Western Main Line and East Coast Main Line. Operators such as Great Western Railway and London North Eastern Railway deploy the sets on services connecting major hubs including London Paddington, Bristol Temple Meads, London King's Cross, Leeds and Newcastle upon Tyne. Open access operator Hull Trains and franchises run by TransPennine Express have also used or ordered variants for services linking Hull Paragon Interchange, Manchester Piccadilly, and Edinburgh Waverley. Timetabling and capacity planning involve coordination with Network Rail and franchise commitments overseen historically by DfT agreements.
Since introduction, Class 800s have experienced a range of operational issues from early teething faults to battery and engine cooling events reported on certain units, prompting interventions by Rail Accident Investigation Branch investigators and remedial fleets measures by operators. High‑profile occurrences have drawn scrutiny from the Office of Rail and Road and media outlets including BBC News and The Guardian, while engineering teams at Hitachi Rail and depot partners performed software updates, component redesigns and enhanced maintenance schedules. Availability statistics monitored by operators are published in periodic performance reports responding to customer feedback from groups such as Transport Focus.
The basic platform spawned variants: pure electric, bi‑mode and modified formations for open access operators. Related family members include Hitachi A‑train derivatives and later developments used internationally by operators like JR East and units influenced by Stadler and Siemens modular philosophies. In service, several Class 800s have undergone retrofits to increase fuel tank capacity, revise seating configurations to meet Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee guidance, and adapt software for in‑cab signalling trials with ERTMS and TPWS enhancements. Leasing companies such as Rock Rail and rolling stock lessors including Angel Trains, Eversholt Rail Group and Porterbrook have engaged in fleet modification programmes.
Fleet ownership and asset management arrangements involve a mix of procurement ownership models with contributions from state contracts and private lessors: operators lease units from companies such as Eversholt Rail Group and Angel Trains, while Hitachi retained manufacturing warranties and lifecycle support commitments. Asset management includes scheduled overhauls at major depots, parts supply chains coordinated with suppliers including ZF Friedrichshafen and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and financial arrangements governed by franchise contracts historically overseen by DfT procurement frameworks and commercial terms with open access operators.
Although relatively new, discussions on long‑term disposition consider future conversion, export, or preservation by railway heritage bodies such as the National Railway Museum and regional preservation societies including National Collection stakeholders. Future plans revolve around potential re‑engining, full electrification of routes like the Great Western Main Line and adoption of alternative fuels influenced by UK climate targets set in legislation such as the Climate Change Act 2008. Operators and manufacturers continue joint planning for mid‑life refreshes, depot upgrades, and possible replacement influenced by evolving standards from organisations such as RSSB and regulatory decisions by the Office of Rail and Road.
Category:British multiple units