May 2024 Kato 10-1675 GWR Class800 LNER “AZUMA“
The Class 800 first entered service as the successor to the diesel high speed train “HST”, and now runs on the GWR (Great Western Railway) and LNER (London North Eastern Railway) main lines in the UK. The Class 800 is characterized by its body being "tucked in" near the bottom to match the UK railways clearance limit, and the yellow pattern on the front car, which enhances visibility. It is a bi-mode electro-diesel vehicle introduced as part of the “Intercity Express Program” (IEP) and installed with state-of-the-art equipment. As a major feature, the train collects power through the pantographs in electrified areas and uses diesel engines or power supplied from its generators in none-electrified areas, making it possible for it to run in both.
The Class 800 is also well known as a rare case of a Japanese train being selected to run on UK main lines. Hitachi Rail had to apply sophisticated railway technology to meet the high conditions out forth by the UK transportation ministry such as high fuel efficiency, a weight limit, operations at the maximum speed of 200 km/h, and switching the power supply source during operations.
The Class 800 is also well known as a rare case of a Japanese train being selected to run on UK main lines. Hitachi Rail had to apply sophisticated railway technology to meet the high conditions out forth by the UK transportation ministry such as high fuel efficiency, a weight limit, operations at the maximum speed of 200 km/h, and switching the power supply source during operations.