LONDON — LNER recently celebrated five years since its Azuma trains entered service across its East Coast route between the Scottish Highlands, Yorkshire and London King’s Cross.
Azuma services launched on May 15, 2019, with the inaugural journey from London King’s Cross to Leeds. Since then, tens of millions of customers have traveled on the trains, which continue to set new, higher standards in comfort, reliability and customer experience.
During the five years, LNER’s fleet of 65 Azuma trains has clocked up more than 58 million miles – equivalent to travelling the circumference of Earth over 2,000 times. LNER’s annual carbon emissions from its train services have reduced by over half – 51 percent, while annual diesel consumption has reduced by more than 25 million litres – an 84 percent reduction.
“The launch of Azuma five years ago was a monumental milestone for LNER, and a monumental moment for rail travel and rail engineering. Our Azuma trains are one of the most sustainable ways to travel,” Linda Wain, engineering lirector at LNER, said. “We are proud to have taken tens of millions of passengers to their destinations over the last five years. Whether their journey is for business, a trip to see friends and family, a holiday, or a day trip to remember, we help connect our towns, cities, and communities.”
LNER has introduced several named liveried trains to the fleet. The first, named ‘Century’, celebrates LNER’s people and pioneering approach, marking the centenary of the LNER brand in 2023.
‘Century’ was soon joined by ‘Together’ celebrating LNER’s support of Pride activities on its route, and ‘You Belong’ which marked the train operator’s five-year partnership with suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). The latest named train ‘Eleanor,’ inspired by LNER’s new advertising campaign and mascot, launched earlier this year.
