British Rail Class 803
Lumo Class 803 at Edinburgh Waverley
Interior of a Class 803 unit
In service2021–present
ManufacturerHitachi Rail
Built at
Family nameA-train
Constructed2020–2021
Entered service25 October 2021 (2021-10-25)
Number built5
Formation5 cars per unit: DPTS-MS-MS-MS-DPTS[2]
Fleet numbers803001–803005
Capacity402 seats[3]
OperatorsLumo
DepotsCraigentinny (Edinburgh)[4]
Lines servedEast Coast Main Line
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium
Doors
  • Single-leaf pocket sliding
  • (2 per side per car)
Maximum speed125 mph (200 km/h)[5]
Electric system(s)25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead
Current collector(s)Pantograph
Braking system(s)Electro-pneumatic (disc) and regenerative
Safety system(s)
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 Rail for open-access operator Lumo.[6] 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.[7]

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 Manufacturing Facility in April 2020.[8]

The first test runs on the national network were held on 26 May 2021,[9] with the class entering public service on Lumo's launch day of 25 October 2021.

Design

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.[6] 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.[10]

Fleet details

Subclass Operator Qty. Year built Cars per unit Unit nos.
803/0 Lumo 5 2020–2021 5 803001–803005

Named units

Unit 803005 is named Proudly from Newcastle the home of Stephenson's Works bicentenary 1823–2023.[11]

Accidents and incidents

On 17 April 2022, a Lumo-operated Class 803 passed through a set of points at Peterborough railway station at 75 mph (121 km/h) where there was a speed restriction of 25 mph (40 km/h). Some passengers were thrown from their seats and sustained minor injuries. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch opened an investigation into the incident.[12]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to British Rail Class 803.
  1. ^ "First '803' Bodyshells Arrive". Modern Railways. Stamford: Key Publishing. 23 April 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  2. ^ Fletcher, S. (27 September 2021). "The Railways (Interoperability) Regulations 2011, as amended – Authorisation of Hitachi AT300 Class 803/0 five-car electric multiple units 803001 to 803005 inclusive" (PDF). Letter to H. Parry-Jones (Hitachi Rail Ltd). London: Office of Rail and Road. UK/51/2021/0059. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 October 2021.
  3. ^ Lam, S. (25 October 2021). "Low-cost electric rail operator Lumo launches between London and Edinburgh". i news. Associated Newspapers. Archived from the original on 28 October 2021.
  4. ^ "Lumo set for October start". Modern Railways. Stamford: Key Publishing. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 20 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Speed limiters for Hitachi fleets". Traction & Stock. The Railway Magazine. Vol. 168, no. 1457. August 2022. p. 92.
  6. ^ a b Clinnick, R. (22 March 2019). "First orders AT300s for ECML open access operation". Rail Magazine. Peterborough: Bauer Consumer Media. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  7. ^ "Budget East Coast Train Service is Approved". Sky News. 12 May 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2019.
  8. ^ Cech, L. (18 April 2020). "The first FirstGroup AT300 arrives in the UK". Railcolor News. Sint-Oedenrode: RailcolorZiemon. Retrieved 13 May 2020.
  9. ^ Holden, M. (28 May 2021). "New East Coast Trains Class 803s go on test in Darlington". RailAdvent. Archived from the original on 28 May 2021. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  10. ^ "Trains ordered for 2021 launch of 'high-quality, low fare' London – Edinburgh service". Rail Business UK. Sutton: DVV Media International. 21 March 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  11. ^ Butlin, A. (May 2023). "Stock Changes". Track Record. The Railway Magazine. No. 1466. Horncastle: Mortons Media Group. p. 93. ISSN 0033-8923.
  12. ^ "Overspeeding incident at Peterborough station". Derby: Rail Accident Investigation Branch, Department for Transport. 11 May 2022. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
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