York-based LNER launches first redesigned Azuma train
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has introduced its first Azuma train as part of the fleet on the east coast route linking London with Yorkshire, the North East of England and Scotland.
Named Century, it celebrates the history of the company since the LNER brand was founded in 1923.
The special livery was unveiled at York Railway Station this morning (15 May).
It introduces colleagues from past and present using a photographic timeline of the last 100 years of LNER.
Throughout the century, LNER has named trains that have achieved iconic status around the world due to their popularity, including “Flying Scotsman”, “Mallard” and “Sir Nigel Gresley”.
“A really special moment”
David Horne, Managing Director of LNER, described the day as “a truly special moment for everyone at LNER”.
At today’s launch event, David told The Press, “We put the Azuma trains into service almost four years ago, but due to the pandemic, we haven’t officially named a train yet.” That’s what we’re doing today.
“We’re celebrating 100 years since the founding of the first LNER company and of course we’ve also celebrated many things on the East Coast route, including here in York.”
Commenting on the new livery, he said: “We believe that the fantastic service that our employees provide to our passengers every day is an essential part of our service offering.”
Post-pandemic, LNER has turned its focus to customer service, he said.
The director said the company is back to a full schedule and passenger numbers have continued to rise.
“We now have more people traveling on the east coast route than we did before the pandemic,” he said.
“Here in York we are at the forefront of restoring the railway and restoring it to full condition.”
York’s loss of Great British Railways headquarters bid was ‘really disappointing’
As The Press reported in March, York lost out to Derby in its bid to become the headquarters of Great British Railways, costing the city an estimated 1,600 new jobs and an economic boost of £110m.
David said: “Obviously it was really disappointing that York was not chosen as the headquarters for Great British Railways.
“Thank you to all partners who put a lot of effort into this offer.
“But York will have an important place in the future of Great British Railways, wherever its headquarters are. We have the skills.
“We have the organizations here in York that are really developing the railroad of the future – that’s the most important thing.”
“Here in York, the work gets done – and we bring people together to create the railroad of the future.”
The new Century train arrived in York to the sound of trumpets and the sight of fans waving flags.
It was driven by Jordan Cochrane, one of LNER’s newest qualified drivers.
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Also present was Matthew Delaney, great-grandson of Doncaster-born Joseph Duddington, who set the world steam speed record of 126 mph in the Mallard in 1938, which was never surpassed.
Joseph Duddington can be seen in the livery of the Century.
Matthew said it was a “really proud moment” to see his great-grandfather on the edge of the train next to the company he worked for and on the route he used to drive.
“Exciting” to appear in the new design
LNER employees Carolyn Sheard, Jennifer Kilton and Euan McHardy also feature in the livery.
Carolyn, who lives near Leeds, said: “I don’t know if we’ll be around for 100 years, but the train certainly will.”
“It’s exciting to be selected.”
Tim Dunn, railway historian and presenter of The Architecture of the Railways Built, was also present at today’s presentation.
He told The Press: “This is the very latest in a very long line of named trains. However, naming a train is so important because it gives people a feel for it.
“It makes people think about the history of the train they’re looking at – and that name tells a story.”
https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/23523045.york-based-lner-launches-first-named-azuma-train-new-design/?ref=rss York-based LNER launches first redesigned Azuma train
