British Rail Class 803

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
British Rail Class 803 AT300
Lumo 803003 at Edinburgh Waverley.jpg
Lumo Class 803 unit 803003 at Edinburgh Waverley in October 2021
Class 803 Interior.jpg
Interior of a Class 803 unit
In service2021 – present
ManufacturerHitachi
Built at
Family nameA-train
Constructed2020–2021
Entered service25 October 2021
Number built5
Fleet numbers803001–803005
Capacity402 seats[2]
Operator(s)Lumo
Depot(s)Craigentinny (Edinburgh)[3]
Line(s) servedEast Coast Main Line
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Doors
  • Single-leaf pocket sliding
  • (2 per side per car)
Maximum speed125 mph (201 km/h)
Electric system(s)25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead
Current collection methodPantograph
Safety system(s)
Coupling systemDellner
Multiple workingWithin class
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8+1⁄2 in) standard gauge

The British Rail Class 803 AT300 is a type of electric multiple unit built by Japanese rolling stock manufacturer Hitachi for open-access operator Lumo.[4] Based on the Hitachi A-train design, a total of five units comprising five cars have been produced. The class is used to operate passenger services on the East Coast Main Line between London King's Cross and Edinburgh Waverley.

Background[]

In 2015, following an announcement from the Office of Rail and Road that it would be allowing open-access operators to bid for additional rail paths on the East Coast Main Line, FirstGroup submitted a proposal to operate services between London and Edinburgh. Under its plan, First would seek to directly compete with existing road, rail and air services by offering all standard class seating with an average ticket price of approximately £25. The proposal for the new service was approved in May 2016.[5]

In March 2019, First announced that it had signed an agreement with Hitachi to procure a total of five new five-car trains from its A-train product line for its new service. The units are financed by Beacon Rail with a ten-year maintenance contract. The first body shell arrived at Hitachi's Newton Aycliffe factory in April 2020.[6]

The first test runs on the national network were held on 26 May 2021,[7] with the class entering public service on Lumo's launch day of 25 October 2021.

Operation[]

While sharing a bodyshell with the previous UK A-train variants, the Class 803 differs in that it has no diesel engines fitted. They are fitted with batteries to enable the train's on-board services to be maintained, in case the primary electrical supplies have failed.[8] Other changes include seating being standard class only, and the lack of a galley area, although catering services are provided through the use of a trolley service. The units also feature air conditioning, power sockets and free Wi-Fi.[9]

Fleet details[]

Class Operator No. built Year built Cars per set Unit nos.
Class 803 Lumo 5 2020–2021 5 803001–803005

References[]

  1. ^ "First '803' Bodyshells Arrive". Modern Railways. Key Publishing Limited. 23 April 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  2. ^ Lam, Sophie (25 October 2021). "Low-cost electric rail operator Lumo launches between London and Edinburgh". i. Associated Newspapers Limited. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  3. ^ "Lumo set for October start". Modern Railways. Key Publishing Limited. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  4. ^ "First orders AT300s for ECML open access operation". www.railmagazine.com. Retrieved 2019-12-27.
  5. ^ "Budget East Coast Train Service Is Approved". Sky News. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  6. ^ "[UK] The first FirstGroup AT300 arrives in the UK". Railcolor News. 2020-04-17. Retrieved 2020-05-13.
  7. ^ Holden, Michael (2021-05-28). "WATCH: New East Coast Trains Class 803s go on test in Darlington". RailAdvent. Archived from the original on 2021-05-28. Retrieved 2021-05-30.
  8. ^ Clinnick, Richard (22 March 2019). "First orders AT300s for ECML open access operation". Rail. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  9. ^ 2019-03-21T11:14:51+00:00. "Trains ordered for 2021 launch of 'high-quality, low fare' London – Edinburgh service". Railway Gazette International. Retrieved 2019-12-27.
Retrieved from ""