Class 897 trains on the way for LNER

Class 897 trains on the way for LNER

Posted by Mark A at 10:33, 2nd February 2026

From CAF. Battery/diesel/electric. Press release from LNER

Mark

https://www.lner.co.uk/news/the-next-generation-lner-reveals-exciting-new-details-of-upcoming-east-coast/

Re: Class 897 trains on the way for LNER

Posted by IndustryInsider at 10:52, 2nd February 2026

Good news, though let's hope the ride quality is better than the CAF Mk 5a's Chiltern are re-introducing!

I think GWR could really do with more capacity in its high speed fleet now. A similar order of 10 7-car units, based on either the Hitachi Class 807 (but a Tri-Mode version), or 7-car versions of these Tri-mode Class 897s, would be extremely useful to help cater for growth on both the North and South Cotswold services, and doubtless other routes, where 9-car will be overkill, but 5-cars isn't enough. 7-car services also fit nicely into the platform length profiles at most stations on those routes.

Try boarding the 10:29, 11:32, 15:31 (and others) at Oxford towards London and there's a good chance you'll be standing all the way. Incredible given not too long ago those trains were in the hands of 3-car Turbos!

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