TRAIN passengers are being told DO NOT TRAVEL today as problems with the new fleet of Hitachi 'Class 800' Azuma trains used by York-based LNER and other train operators have meant multiple services have been cancelled or delayed.

The 8.43am service from Bradford Forster Square to London Kings Cross, due to be operated by one of the 800 series trains, was cancelled this morning. Numerous direct services between Leeds and the capital have also been axed this morning. 

In a message on twitter, LNER said today: "Due to a problem under investigation, services route wide are subject to delays and cancellations. Please DO NOT TRAVEL, tickets will be valid up to and including Sunday May 16 2021 (a new reservation MUST be made)."

A spokesperson for LNER confirmed this morning that replacement bus services were being sourced for passengers who absolutely had to travel today. "But I cannot say yet when they will be at York," he said.

The company's Twitter feed says: "Coaches are en route to #Edinburgh, #Newcastle and #York. These should only be used for essential journeys."

The delays and cancellations are thought to affect services across the country, with Hitachi Class 800 trains used by LNER, GWR, TransPennine Express and Hull Trains all affected.

On the East Coast Main Line, the Class 800 series has been replacing the British Rail class 91s on LNER express services through Yorkshire. Many of the 91s are now in storage and one arrived at a scrap yard in Nottingham earlier this year.

On the Great Western mainline, Paddington to Penzance services are now in the hands of Class 800s, which replaced the legendary Class 43 HSTs. Most of those HSTs have now gone 'off lease' and are stored in other parts of the UK, with some being reused by ScotRail. 

The LNER spokesman said: “A number of Class 800 series Hitachi trains from several train companies have been taken out of service today for checks as a precautionary measure.

"This problem is being investigated by Hitachi and once trains have been checked, we hope to be able to release them back into service as soon as possible. This could affect a significant number of our services and passengers should check before they travel.”

A spkesperson for TransPennine Express added: "A number of Class 800 series trains from several train companies have been taken out of service today for checks as a precautionary measure, including our Nova 1 trains."

"This problem is being investigated by the train manufacturer and once trains have been checked, we hope to be able to release them back into service as soon as possible."

We'll bring you more when we have it.

Travel alerts and updates will also be posted at bit.ly/2ISf3cG

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

LNER graphic showing services affected today