Azooming Success, Farewell To The Old And A Surprise

The first time I have used this blog in ages, but given recent events I thought it best to revive this and return it to its previous and original intention - things that have happened to me!!!

I should preface this with two facts - one of which is a disclosure

A) I had been supposed to have been invited to one of the launch events by David Horne - the head honcho at LNER (I know and talk to quite a few people at the company as well as other TOCs), but seems that the comms team forgot about it

B) The last part of this blog post was done on a complimentary trip from LNER


On Wednesday 15th May, I went to Doncaster to see for myself the first "in-service" runs of LNER's new Azuma train. As expected, there was a large number of enthusiasts, camera crews, some reporters and ordinary members of the public there to catch a glimpse of the new unit. Mobile phones and laptops were consulted for up to the minute position reports via various websites and friends on the train itself. When it came out of the tunnels just south of the station and came into Platform 4 at Doncaster, it looked like a proud unit in the grand traditions of the Intercity 125s, Deltics and steam engines that had graced the ECML long before many of its designers were ever born. The Azuma glided in like a thoroughbred - sleek and shiny with the air of "Here I am... What do you think?"

There was much cheering from the crowds as she came to a stop from the crowds and rather enthusiastic members of LNER staff. Many photographs and videos were taken before the Azuma set was waved off in style. In the second picture, you can see members of LNER staff holding goodie bags filled with some good things - though it might be the first time I have been given lip balm by a TOC! I must give praise to the station staff who were very understanding of people randomly moving about with all manner of cameras, video machines and even one guy who was listening to the vibrations of the unit. There was then a break of a few hours whilst a good majority of us waited for the return trip and she was still as gorgeous as before.

After she left, I returned home to Hull to spend a few hours looking over the pictures before going to Brough and catching the last ever booked HST on the Hull Executive. A surprising number of people had either driven to the station or purchased tickets to make the short hop back to Paragon. A little late due to late running trains in front of it, the final run came in with the hired in EMT power cars and set NL65.

After boarding it, I elected to stay at the door window to get the sounds of the Class 43, but after reviewing the footage at home, I discovered that the micpiece had been covered over and so was essentially mute. The run was perfect and we managed to make up the lost time so that arrival was only one minute down. Just as we were pulling in, I took a shot from the rear looking forward. Whilst it looks as if I leant out, what I actually did was set the timer and then put it out the window. NEVER LEAN OUT OF A MOVING TRAIN - IT IS VERY DANGEROUS!!!

After arriving into Hull, everybody then rushed to grab last minute pictures. As we took them, it was noticed that a large order of LNER and Hitachi staff had disembarked and these were the people that would be doing the launch the following morning for the Azuma train including David Horne who I have had the pleasure of talking to on a number of occasions online. he joined the majority of the onboard train crew in a line up with the sun fittingly about to set which made for some exceptional pictures.

Sadly, though, the train had to depart for its final booked 1J10 which is known locally as "The Donny Shuttle" and so the enthusiasts and several drivers for other companies who had come up to take last photos took positions as the driver took the cab, waited for the confirmation it was safe to go. The driver did not let us down and powered away from Platform 7 with a nice bit of clag and giving us the tones... (sorry for the slightly bad quality video - I have a camera phone and not a multimillion pound production facility!)

After that, it was home to relax, look over the new pictures and video before the following day.

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The following day, Thursday 16th, I woke up early, got the first bus of the day into the city centre and waited for the Azuma to arrive from Doncaster IEP Depot. It arrived with the quietest sound I had ever heard from a unit as it glided into Hull's Platform 7 - the traditional platform for the Hull Executive for many years. It was a marked contrast to the HST that was there 9 1/2 hours previous.

The very early arrival of the ECS move was, I presume, to allow them a little more time to set up the First Class parts as well as set up goodie bags and a little promotional display outside the station hotel - the part inside the station.










I talked to the LNER staff manning the display and handing out the bags and said that Hull was a great station. In turn, they said that it was their first visit and hadn't quite realised how big the station really was with its many platforms, although only 6 of them are in operational use.

I was able to speak briefly with David Horne as well as a number of other LNER staff and representatives of Hitachi who all seemed very interested in my views of the unit as an enthusiast rather then as somebody connected with a railway magazine. They were also exceptionally impressed with my knowledge of the unit and of the testing phases that had led to that point. One of the things they took onboard was officially reinstating the 0700/1718 services with its old name and setting the side "blinds" to show this. These talks were, sadly, brief, as the train was ready to depart and it left on time and into the future. As i stood watching the very end of it passing round the corner, I became oddly in demand for radio interviews by several stations - why this was, I still have no idea... Perhaps I need to get myself a press agent! Just after finishing the final one, I was tapped on the shoulder by a very pleasant member of LNER staff who was so amazed at my vast knowledge and promptly offered me a complimentary ride in First Class to Doncaster - I of course accepted this.

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The young lady from LNER met me just prior to departure the following morning, and I am sorry I can not remember her name as she was a very nice person to talk to about the Azuma and its exceptionally long testing issues. Anyway, because it was close to departure time we boarded in Standard Class. I was surprised at how good the interior was and with how much leg room was on offer. Walking through to First Class, my first impressions were of great care and attention taken in the fitting out.

The area was fitted out like something you would expect from a high class club - the sort that you have to be the son of a member to be able to join. I was even impressed by the loverly carpet that had been installed.

Departure was prompt, on time and we soon found ourselves on the way to Doncaster. The First Class stewards (are they still called that?) came and served the refreshments and said that they would come round again a little later to take breakfast orders. Me and the young lady from LNER turned to discussing more about the Azuma and I commented that I had been on the last VTEC service before the "handover" to become LNER, a few possible modifications to the Azumas and commenting on the great quality. As the breakfast orders were a little late in coming round, I elected to have the Bacon Sandwich as I was getting off at Doncaster and most likely wouldn't have time for a Full English. It was soon delivered and found it great - the bacon was cooked well and was juicy - just the way I like it.










Sadly, though, things must come to an end and we soon pulled into Doncaster where my journey ended and I got off the Azuma. Shortly, I will be doing the entire route to London and back in First Class just to see what it is like for the full length.

But, for now, I will value the trip and the special memories.