New Azuma trains ready for London to Leeds departure

The first of a new fleet of Azuma trains to enter regular service carrying passengers will depart from London to Leeds on Wednesday morning, bringing the promise of faster, more reliable services – and more seats – for the East Coast line.

One of the British-assembled Hitachi trains made an uneventful launch run between King’s Cross and Peterborough on Tuesday.

By the end of 2021, with a new timetable, the trains are expected to cut regular journey times between London and Edinburgh to four hours.

Managing director of London North Eastern Railway, David Horne, said the Azumas would bring “huge benefits” and were “more reliable, stylish, environmentally friendly and accessible”, and would have about 100 more seats than trains they replace.

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