Hitachi 800101 became the first of its type to run south of Bristol and into Devon on October 3.
The nine-car bi-mode train, which will be used by Virgin Trains East Coast, was used for a test trip. It ran as the 2110 Stoke Gifford–Plymouth, returning north as the 0205 Plymouth-Stoke Gifford.
Five-car Class 800/0s and nine-car Class 800/3s will be used by Great Western Railway from next July, with Class 802 bi-modes operating to the west country from 2018.
- For more on Hitachi Rail Europe trains in the UK, read RAIL 811, published on October 12.
- For more on Hitachi Rail Europe, read RAIL 810, on sale now.
Robin Hood - 04/10/2016 11:19
That's significant progress. Will the testing include the customary "soak test" at Dawlish? XC Voyagers fail this test, so most XC trains between Exeter and Plymouth were cancelled for a time today (high tide and high winds together), leaving the good old IC125s to brave the waves.