British Rail Class 801

British Rail Class 801 Super Express

Artist's impression of a Hitachi Super Express train
In service 2017 (planned)
Manufacturer Hitachi
Built at Hitachi Kasado, Japan (pre-production)
Hitachi Newton Aycliffe (production)
Family name A-Train
Number built 51 x 9-car sets
12 x 5-car sets
Operator GWR
Virgin Trains East Coast
Line(s) served East Coast Main Line
Great Western Main Line
Specifications
Car body construction aluminium
Car length 26 metres (85 ft 4 in)
Maximum speed 125 mph (201 km/h)
(140 mph (230 km/h) with minor modifications)
Electric system(s) 25 kV AC
Current collection method Pantograph
Safety system(s) AWS, TPWS, ETCS, ATP
Track gauge 1,435 mm (4 ft 8 1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The Class 801 Super Express is the electric multiple unit (EMU) variant of the Hitachi Super Express, based on the Hitachi A-train, high-speed trains to be used in the United Kingdom. They are to be built by Hitachi from 2015. The first units will be delivered for the Great Western Main Line (GWML), commencing service in 2017. These trains will be built at Hitachi's purpose built facility at Newton Aycliffe, alongside the related electro-diesel Class 800. [1]

Background and design

As part of the UK Government's Intercity Express Programme, the Class 801 units are to be replacements for the InterCity 125 and InterCity 225 trains which currently operate services on the Great Western Main Line and the East Coast Main Line.[2] The Class 801 units are electric multiple units - the electro-diesel Class 800 units are also designed to be convertible to electric only operation by removal of underfloor engines.

Fleet details

Class Operator Artist Impression No. Built Year Built
Class 801 Virgin Trains East Coast 30 x 9-car
12 x 5-car		 -
GWR 21 x 9-car 2014 - 20??

See also

External links

References

  1. ↑ Government gives green light for more state-of-the-art intercity trains, Department for Transport, 18 July 2013
  2. ↑ DfT Confirms Second Intercity Trains, Railnews, 18 July 2013