Arrival of Azumas is a prominent landmark, LNER Managing
By the time this magazine hits the bookstalls, LNER is expected to have accepted nine Azumas, the Hitachi-built bi-mode trains that will replace existing inter-city stock on the East Coast main line. The first set is due to enter service soon afterwards on diagram NL65, the 07.00 off Hull that runs to London and then fits in a return run to Leeds before returning to Hull; this has lately been the province of the HST set that LNER has hired in from East Midlands Trains.
In tandem with the replacement of the train fleet, Network Rail is progressing a series of upgrades of the East Coast line that will markedly improve the capacity of the route. First up will be the well-publicised grade separation of Werrington Junction, north of Peterborough, where the ‘Joint’ line through Lincoln joins the East Coast. Earth movers are now hard at work on both sides of the main line preparing the ground, with the new dive-under due to be complete by the end of next year. Entry into service is planned for March 2021, facilitating the diversion of freights through Lincoln and freeing up space on the main line for passenger services. ‘This will be the third grade s…
