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Hitachi Class 802 enters service with TransPennine Express

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By Tony Miles

THE first of 19 five-car Hitachi Class 802 bi-mode trains entered passenger service with TransPennine Express on September 28. 

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They had received clearance from ORR late the previous evening. 

Set 802201 operated the 06.03 Newcastle-Liverpool Lime Street and 09.25 return as a one-off working ahead of regular service introduction later in October. 

The First ‘Nova 1’ passenger service, formed of set No. 802201, arrives at Liverpool Lime Street with the 06.03 from Newcastle on September 28 on electric power. As well as being the set’s first passenger run this was the first TPE train to run at 125mph on the ECML, the first bi-mode train TPE has operated, the first TPE train to run between Manchester Victoria and Liverpool on electric power, and the first TPE electric train to serve Liverpool Lime Street. TONY MILES

During the journey the unit worked under electric power both ways between Newcastle and York and Manchester Victoria and Liverpool, becoming the first TransPennine Express passenger train to run into Liverpool and over the Chat Moss route between Manchester and Liverpool. 

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It also became the first TPE service to operate at 125mph during the first leg between Newcastle and York. 

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