page_title: Hitachi A-train
section_title: United Kingdom
hierarchical_section_title: Hitachi A-train / A-train family overseas / United Kingdom
caption_attribution_description: English: First pre-series Class 800 Hitachi InterCity Express Programme train undergoes dynamic testing
context_page_description: The Hitachi A-train is a family of rail rolling stock built and designed by Hitachi using a common base and construction techniques. The stock is designed to facilitate a number of product life-cycle improvements including ease of manufacture, increased energy efficiency, and recyclability.
context_section_description: The United Kingdom became the first country to have a major conventional rail order for Hitachi outside Japan when Southeastern ordered 29 electric multiple units for use on domestic services on High Speed 1. These were designated as Class 395 units, which are standard gauge with the ability to operate at speeds of up to 225 km/h (140 mph). Southeastern branded these trains as the Javelin, a reference to the 2012 Summer Olympics.
  Hitachi gained further ground in the UK market when it was announced that an A-train based design similar to that of the Class 395, initially named the Hitachi Super Express, won the United Kingdom Government's Intercity Express Programme tender to replace InterCity 125 and InterCity 225 sets on the Greater Western and InterCity East Coast franchises. These units were announced to be classified as Class 800 electro-diesel 'bi-mode' units powered by AC overhead wires where available and underfloor diesel generators beyond extents of electrication and the Class 801 electric multiple unit sets powered purely by AC overhead wires. The train specification allows for the conversion of Class 800s to Class 801s, as it is assumed that electrification will continue to expand. The units would form as part of the Hitachi AT300 product, joining the Class 395 in the same family.
  The choice of Hitachi units was controversial due to the fact that it would see little final manufacturing in the UK over the foreign-owned but domestically manufactured Bombardier option, particularly in the area that would have manufactured, leading to a campaign to reverse the decision. It was, however, economics which became a sticking point with the weight of the design creeping up (though some accused the Department for Transport of producing impossible specification requirements) and reportedly difficult negotiations over the final unit price and production balance between the different power options. The inability or reluctance of the financial markets to provide the necessary capital was the final straw, leading to the announcement in February 2010 of a three-month independent review into the value for money of the programme.
  After winning the franchise, Abellio ScotRail announced they would be purchasing Hitachi AT200 trains (designated as Class 385) for their commuter services. 
  
  In March 2015, after the initial order of the Class 800 units, Great Western Railway (or First Great Western as it was at the time) ordered 29 bi-mode Class 802 units which would also join the AT300 product. These units have little difference over the Class 800 units, with the difference being the fact that the 802s have a larger power output to cope with gradients in Devon and Cornwall (enhanced diesel rating) and are also built with larger fuel tanks. Being a bi-mode unit, they will also use overhead electric power between London Paddington and Newbury. Having initially ordered 29 units, it was later announced that there would be an increase of up to 36 units on order. The first of the Class 800s entered service with GWR in October 2017 and the first of the Class 802s entered service with GWR in August 2018, with all of the units being branded as Intercity Express Trains (IET) by GWR.
  The first unit with London North Eastern Railway (the current holder of the InterCity East Coast franchise, having replaced the previous Virgin Trains East Coast company) entered service in May 2019 after a delay, with their first trains in service being their Class 800s. Their Class 801s entered service afterwards in September 2019. Separately from GWR, these trains are branded as Azuma, which is 'east' in Japanese. 
  Many other UK operators have also made a bid for more members of the Hitachi AT300 product family, which include that of TransPennine Express ordering Class 802s (branded as Nova 1) and Hull Trains also ordering Class 802s (branded as Paragon). More AT300 units are also due to enter service with East Midlands Railway (classified as Class 810 units built, though originally thought to be Class 800 & Class 804 units) as well as future operator East Coast 
caption: Class 800 during testing in 2015
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