CAF will supply LNER with tri-mode Civity UK trains

On 9 November 2023 London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has selected CAF as the preferred bidder for the project to supply 10 ten-car tri-mode trains, i. e. they can operate in electric, diesel or battery mode. The project also includes their maintenance for 8 years. The value of this contract exceeds 500 million EUR, including both the cost of purchase for the trains by Porterbrook who subsequently lease to LNER and maintenance delivered by CAF.

The new trains based on CAF’s Civity UK platform and designed for intercity services will operate on East Coast Main Line and will complement the present fleet of 65 Hitachi Rail-built Azuma units, serving LNER‘s 1,540 km network. 

The new Civity UK trains will be assembled at the CAF‘s Newport works in Wales, which was opened in September 2018 and currently has approximately 220 employees. LNER stated that „Further details about when the new fleet can be expected in service will follow in due course.“

We asked both companies about the main technical data of the vehicles (axle arrangements, voltage, traction power, brake power, maximum speed, dimensions, weights, capacity). We are waiting for an answer.