When the full electrification of the Midland main line was cancelled in 2017, East Midlands Railway was bound to join the list of Hitachi customers, but the good news is that it is not just buying more Class 800s – EMR’s 33x5-car Aurora bi-modes are Class 810s. The key change is the reduction from the ridiculous 26-metre vehicle length to 24 metres, the preference of all bidders in the first place. There are other changes, but for the passenger the big one is the seat, as EMR made sure from the outset it was not getting the Class 800 abominations (my description, EMR is very polite about its competition).
In the March Modern Railways (p73) I went out on a limb and said this seat should be a major improvement, simply because the right way to procure it was followed, ie take it out of the main contract and agree the seat design separately, which EMR has done, working in conjunction with Derby-based firm DG Design. That isn’t all there is to it though, and the big day to try it out has arrived, here I am with ex-colleague Rachel Turner, Head of New Trains.
SITTING COMFORTABLY?
I’m relieved to say yes, first impressions are good, although I must add that this is not the return of springs and horsehair. …
