R30102 WSL Hornby Lumo Class 803 5 Car Train Pack number 803 005

The Class 803 AT300 is a new type of electric multiple unit passenger train built by Japanese rolling stock manufacturer Hitachi at their Newton Aycliffe factory in County Durham, based upon the Hitachi A-train design. While sharing a bodyshell with the previous UK A-train variants, the Class 803 differs in that it has no auxiliary diesel engines fitted. Batteries are fitted to power the on-board facilities in case of overhead line equipment failure.

The first bodyshell arrived from the facility in April 2020. Testing for the new Class 803 units took place overnight from 26 May to 27 May in 2021. A GBRf liveried Class 66 locomotive, No. 66751 ‘Inspiration Delivered – Hitachi Rail Europe’, hauled 803001 into Darlington on test. Three round trips from Darlington to York were completed overnight and ran as the following services:

• 5Q70 2258 Darlington to York
• 5Q71 0028 York to Darlington
• 5Q72 0128 Darlington to York
• 5Q73 0234 York to Darlington
• 5Q74 0335 Darlington to York
• 5Q75 0428 York to Darlington

With testing completed and the units being deemed ready, the 'Lumo' service commenced on 25 October 2021 with two trains per day travelling from London to Edinburgh in each direction on normal weekdays. However, it was scheduled to be increased to five per day during 2022. It was anticipated that the fastest service would complete the journey in 4 hours 3 minutes, although most would take a little over 4 hours 30 minutes. 

The unit’s top speed is 140mph but are limited to a maximum of 125mph on the main line. ‘Lumo’ serve the East Coast Main Line from London King’s Cross to Edinburgh Waverley with Stevenage, Newcastle, and Morpeth as in between stations on the route. The aim is for passengers transported on the ECML to experience comfort whilst paying low fares for train tickets.

The units are numbered from 803001-803005, with 803005 being the only named unit: ‘Proudly from Newcastle the home of Stephenson's Works bicentenary 1823–2023’. Each unit contains four hundred seats, with fifty-two seats as priority seats and two wheelchair spaces. Standard class seating is prevalent throughout and fitted with extendable tray tables, reading lights and easily accessible power sockets for charging devices.

As of 2024, FirstGroup applied for a new open access service between Rochdale and London. They propose to run six return journeys per day from Rochdale to London Euston via Manchester Victoria on the Lumo Class 803 units. Manchester Victoria, Eccles, Newton-le-Willows, and Warrington Bank Quay would be stations called upon along the route. It is hoped that services can begin in 2027.

This train pack represents the only named unit of the Lumo Class 803, No. 803005, and is resplendent in a vivid blue Lumo ‘Net-Zero Champion’ livery. Directional lighting and cab lighting are available for the power car. The accurate corridor connections on each car have tinted glazing. DCC Ready with a 21-pin socket, the 5 pole skew wound motor enables smooth running and great traction.