LNER Azuma visits St Pancras as operator plans diversionary route ahead of ECML closures

A London North Eastern Railway (LNER) Azuma unit conducted a significant test run between Leeds and London St Pancras during the early hours of March 28.

The nine-car bi-mode set (800108) made the early morning journey as part of LNER’s plans to use the Midland Main line when parts of the East Coast Main Line (ECML) is closed.

After leaving Leeds at 2318 on March 27, it travelled south to Doncaster before joining the Midland Main Line at Chesterfield. The train switched to diesel power at Doncaster and continued its path through Loughborough, Bedford, Luton and onwards London St Pancras, arriving at 0331 on March 28.

After checks were made, the unit departed just under an hour later, at 0425, returning to Leeds via the same route, arriving at 0839.

An LNER spokesperson told RAIL that the run was part of the early stages of planning regarding its continuity planning for future ECML closures, but it was too early to say when testing with passengers onboard could take place. They also told RAIL that plans were in place if some of its 10-car services are requiring diversion, given the platforms could not be long enough to accomodate a 10-car formation.

LNER’s ECML rival Hull Trains has conducted similar contingency planning with some of its services. It has terminated some of its services at St Pancras rather than King’s Cross during engineering work on the East Coast main line including on the last significant closures due to the East Coast Digital Programme in November.

The next set of significant closures on the ECML will be in May, when further ECDP engineering work will mean the line will be closed from between May 17 and 18 between King’s Cross and Peterborough. LNER would not confirm if it is planning on running its services into St Pancras during that period.

Mark Smith, Development Engineer at LNER, highlighted the importance of the test, stating: “While planned engineering work is vital in delivering infrastructure upgrades and keeping the rail network safe, it can be disruptive to customer journeys. With this test, LNER is looking at how it can keep its customers on the move and minimise disruption to journeys when engineering work is being carried out.

“There is still work to be done, but this is an encouraging development for future service options.”