British Rail Class 810
British Rail Class 810 Aurora | |
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standard gauge |
The British Rail Class 810 Aurora is a type of bi-mode multiple unit being constructed by Hitachi Rail for East Midlands Railway. Based on the Hitachi AT300 design, 33 five-car units will replace Class 222 units on EMR's intercity routes.
Background
In July 2012, it was announced by
In August 2019, East Midlands Railway placed a £400 million order for 33 five-car bi-mode units, replacing its Class 180 and 222 fleets on the MML.[12][13][14][11][note 1] The order is being funded by Rock Rail East Midlands.[11] It was originally planned that the new trains would enter service before December 2022,[16][17][18] but as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic the introduction was delayed into 2023.[7] In February 2023 it was reported that Class 810s were expected to enter service in 2024.[19] In March 2024 it was reported that the Class 810 is now planned to enter service in early 2025.[1]
In October 2020, EMR announced they would be branded as Aurora[20] following a public competition.[21]
Design
The Class 810 is a modification of the Class 802 units Hitachi have delivered to a number of British train operators.[22] The major change is a 2-metre (6 ft 7 in) reduction in the length of each vehicle, which is required in order to allow paired (ten-car) Class 810 trains to use London St Pancras station.[4] Some of the length reduction has been achieved by reprofiling the front end of the train and shortening the nosecone.[3]
Compared to Class 802 units, the 810s will also be fitted with an additional diesel power pack—for a total of four—and each engine will be uprated from 700 to 735
Interior
In response to customer feedback regarding seating comfort on earlier Class 80x units, both first- and standard-class seats on the Class 810 will be of a unique design that is intended to offer enhanced comfort. They will be based on the existing FISA Lean design, but of an altered appearance. EMR were working closely with Derby-based design company DGDESIGN on the design of the new interiors.[23] It is claimed that the seats will have wider cushions, more-sculpted headrests, softer and deeper armrests, additional privacy screening, and be upholstered in a wool-rich moquette that is intended to be easier to keep clean. Every passenger will have access to power sockets and USB charging points, at-seat coat hooks, and storage space under each seat.[24][25]
Fleet details
Class | Operator | Qty. | Year built | Cars per unit | Unit nos. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
810 | East Midlands Railway | 33 | 2021–present[2] | 5 | TBC |
Notes
References
- ^ a b "East Midlands Railway reveals the interior looks of its new Aurora train fleet". News. Railways Illustrated. No. 254. April 2024. p. 7.
- ^ a b c d Holden, Michael (22 April 2021). "East Midlands Railway releases new video as welding begins on new Aurora trains". RailAdvent. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Enter the Aurora". Modern Railways. Key Publishing. 23 February 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ a b c d e "EMR unveils Aurora bi-mode details". Modern Railways. Key Publishing. 21 January 2021. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
- ISSN 0033-8923.
- ^ Pritchard, Robert (March 2021). "Designing the Auroras". Today's Railways UK. No. 229. Platform 5.
- ^ ISSN 0026-8356. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ "Midlands line 'to be electrified'". BBC News. BBC. 14 July 2012. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Network Rail to spend £500m electrifying Midland Mainline". BBC News. BBC. 8 January 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "Electrification of Midland Mainline 'paused' by Network Rail". BBC News. BBC. 25 June 2015. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ ISSN 0953-4563. Retrieved 30 January 2021.
- ^ "AT300 - Intercity High Speed". www.hitachirail-eu.com. Archived from the original on 21 February 2020. Retrieved 10 January 2020.
- ISSN 1479-2230.
- ISSN 0953-4563.
- ISSN 0026-8356.
- ^ "Abellio invests £400 million in new Hitachi trains for East Midlands Railway". Global Railway Review. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
- ISSN 0953-4563. Retrieved 12 November 2019.
- ISSN 0953-4563.
- ISSN 1362-234X.
- ^ "Aurora brand for East Midlands Railway Class 810 inter-city fleet". Rail Business UK. 27 October 2020. Retrieved 27 October 2020.
- ^ "Name our train". East Midlands Railway. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020.
- ^ "Abellio orders East Midlands inter-city fleet". Rail Business UK. DVV Media Group. 30 July 2019. Retrieved 21 January 2022.
- ^ "East Midlands Railway". DG Design. Archived from the original on 14 October 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ "East Midlands Railways unveils newly designed seats for state-of-the-art Aurora fleet". East Midlands Railway. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ISSN 0026-8356. Retrieved 2 March 2022.