EARLY NEXT year, East Midlands Railway is to introduce nine HSTs transferred from LNER in place of its current 2+8 sets.
The LNER sets are moving across because they have a lesser degree of non-compliance with Persons with Reduced Mobility (PRM) regulations than EMR’s current HSTs. Of the nine sets to transfer, six will be Angel Trains sets and three owned by Porterbrook. LNER is to fit Passenger Information Systems (PIS) to the sets before they transfer, with this work likely to take place at either Craigentinny or Neville Hill depot. LNER was to begin withdrawing its HSTs from 18 November, with all planned to be replaced by Hitachi-built Azumas by the end of the year.
The sets will be reduced from the 2+9 formation operated by LNER to 2+8, matching the length of the current EMR sets, due to platform length constraints on the Midland main line. EMR points out that the LNER HSTs were significantly refurbished in 2016, with better facilities including improved accessible toilets, larger wheelchair spaces, priority seating and at-seat power sockets in both first and standard class.
EMR’s current 2+8 HSTs are owned by Porterbrook and are unique on the network in having VP185 power cars, rather than those…
