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Hornby R3762

LNER, Hitachi IEP Bi-Mode Class 800/1, 'Azuma' Five Car Train Pack - Era 11

Manufacturer catalogue image - please note that pre-release images may be CAD renders or CGI images rather than photographs

Prototype Eras
Era 9 (1995 to 2004) Initial Privatisation
Era 11 (2016 to 2026) The Last Days of Privatisation

Manufacturer description

On 18 March, 2016, Sir Richard Branson unveiled the first Class 800/1 unit to be branded in Virgin Trains East Coast 'Azuma' livery at Kings Cross Station.

Since then, the Hitachi fleet of IEP test trains, based at the new Doncaster Carr Depot, have completed thousands of hours of testing over the ECML and while Virgin Trains East Coast (VTEC) have been replaced as franchise holders by London North Eastern Railway (LNER), 'Azuma' five and nine car sets are due to commence public services on the East Coast Main Line during early 2019.

Catalogue listing

Model details

Prototype information

^* Class names often change over the lifespan of a locomotive, so this is not necessarily the class name used by the operator in the period modelled.

Hornby LNER Hitachi IEP Bi‑Mode Class 800/1 “Azuma’’ Five‑Car Train Pack – Era 11 is an OO‑gauge model of the current British Rail Class 800 “Super Express’’ operated by London North Eastern Railway. The model represents a five‑car bi‑mode electro‑diesel multiple unit that entered public service on the East Coast Main Line in early 2019.

The pack is 343 mm long, finished in a pristine painted condition and carries the Azuma/Tartan livery introduced in 2018. It is equipped with a 5‑pole skew‑wound motor, directional and interior lighting, and is DCC ready with an 8‑pin socket. Coupling is provided by NEM (fish‑tail) couplers, with a proprietary interface between cars allowing multiple units to be coupled. Power is taken from the power car only.

The model reflects the current era of the Class 800 fleet built by Hitachi between 2014 and 2018 (pre‑production at Kasado and production at Newton Aycliffe). The real units have a Bo‑Bo wheel arrangement, a maximum speed of 125 mph and were first unveiled on 18 March 2016 by Sir Richard Branson at King’s Cross Station. This product is intended for use by collectors and hobbyists wishing to recreate contemporary UK railway operations.