Azuming Service!

In full service 800105 crosses Digswell Viaduct in Hertfordshire with the 06:35 Hull - Kings Cross on 17th May 2019.

800102 is sandwiched by Intercity 225 sets at Kings Cross on
24th April 2019 with a test run prior to entering ECML service. 

The long awaited introduction of the Intercity Express Program trains onto the East Coast Main Line has now come to fruition with the first class 800/1 unit entering service between Hull, Leeds and London Kings Cross on 15th May 2019. Branded 'Azuma' which translates to 'East' in Japaneese the Hitachi train sets will eventually replace the entire East Coast Intercity fleet. The brand was initially the concept of Virgin Trains who should have introduced the new trains, but after financial difficulties the government took over running of the East Coast Franchise (yet again) from June 2018 branding the service as London North Eastern Railway. Azuma's will be introduced at a rate of approximately one train a week until all 65 train sets have entered service sometime in 2020.

Another view of 800102 on test at Kings Cross 24/04/2019.

The existing stock of 'Intercity 125' HST's and 'Intercity 225' Class 91 hauled Mk4 sets face an uncertain future with the first Mk4 sets already transferring to store. Some are earmarked to be used diesel-hauled by Transport for Wales while and open access operator has also bid to use the trains between London Paddington and Cardiff.
LNER are the second operator to introduce the Hitachi Intercity Express Trains after GWR which finished replacing it's HST's just days after the LNER launch on 18th May. While the editor has not yet travelled on one of the LNER 'Azumas' it is amazing how different they look just from the livery- and how much better in his opinion, with their clear bright lines and bird like nose compared to the dull grey of the GWR sets.