The introduction of 33 bi-mode trains from 2023 will be an enabler for electrification of the Midland Main Line, claims East Midlands Railway Commercial Director Chris Wright.
EMR has 33 five-car Class 810s on order from Hitachi in a £400 million deal funded by Rock Rail East Midlands.
The first train is due to be complete and ready for testing in the summer and they will enter traffic from the first quarter of 2023, replacing the current Class 180 and Class 222 fleets.
The decision to use bi-modes on the MML was made by then-Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling in July 2017, when cancelling plans for full electrification from Bedford-Nottingham/Derby and Sheffield. EMR ordered the Hitachi trains in August 2019.
At a virtual press briefing on January 13, Wright said: “There’s a view saying we are rolling out the wrong product. I think this is the right product. I think this helps remove barriers because they will be able to run on diversionary routes that would otherwise not be electrified. They are an enabler for electrification.”
- For the FULL story, read RAIL 923, published on January 27, and available digitally now.
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sean brennan - 22/02/2021 09:18
I don't like iets but this train is great.
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Andrew Gwilt - 22/02/2021 11:15
But is the Class 810 Aurora IETs to replace the Class 180 Adelante and Class 222 Meridian DEMU units and the Class 43 Mk3 Intercity 125 stocks. And the Class 360 which is to operate on the London St. Pancras to Corby and Kettering service that all 21 Class 360/1 EMU units are to be or have been cascaded from Greater Anglia. Which the Class 360 were first built in 2002-03.
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James - 05/03/2021 00:41
GWR has had no issues with bi-modes, EMR's director is entirely right. The IET is the new HST and it should be used to allow the voyagers and other bad units to be scrapped or moved elsewhere.
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Cliff Beeton - 05/06/2021 13:04
But these Bi modes can only be used for FIVE miles on electric power out of St Pancras then diesel all the way to Bedford! No not an April fool check it out!
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