Everything You Need to Know About The Next Generation: LNER Reveals Exciting New Details of Upcoming East Coast Main Line Trains

Anyone who travels up and down the country on the East Coast Main Line knows that a long train journey is all about the little things. A comfy seat, a place to charge your phone, and maybe even a bit of peace and quiet. Well, big news is on the horizon for LNER customers. The operator has just given everyone a sneak peek at a brand-new fleet of trains set to roll out in the coming years, and it looks like the future of rail travel is getting a serious upgrade. These ten new intercity trains, built by manufacturer CAF, are not just about getting from A to B; they’re about improving the entire journey experience with a fresh design, more comfort, and some clever new tech under the bonnet.

Welcome aboard the Serenza

First things first, the new fleet has a name: ‘Serenza’. It’s a mix of the word ‘serene’ (meaning calm and peaceful) and a touch of Spanish flair, meant to suggest a blend of calm, energy, and modern style. It’s a name that sets a high bar for the travel experience, aiming to make a trip on the busy East Coast Main Line feel a bit more relaxing. This new fleet of trains, officially known as the Class 897, will be the first new set of trains introduced under the banner of Great British Railways (GBR), the new national organisation that will run the country’s railway system. So, when these trains pull into the station, they'll be sporting the GBR branding inside and out.

The ten-carriage Serenza trains are set to replace the trusty InterCity 225 fleet, which has been serving customers for nearly 40 years. While those trains have been absolute workhorses, carrying hundreds of millions of people over their lifetime, it’s time for a new generation. The introduction of this new class of trains is a response to the growing number of people choosing rail travel, with LNER seeing over 24 million customers in 2024-25. This move, along with a new timetable introduced in December 2025, is all about boosting capacity and making the service more reliable for everyone.

A first-class interior for every journey

Let's talk about the inside, because that’s where passengers will really notice the difference. The interior design of the Class 897 trains has been put together with a huge amount of feedback from customers. The goal? Maximum comfort for every journey. Here are some of the standout features for the new interior:

• Better Seating: Both Standard and First Class will see improved seating comfort. The seats have been completely redesigned with new pads, wider head cushions, and better support. And for those in First Class, the seats will recline.

• Smarter Lighting: The whole train will have softer lighting to make travelling, especially early in the morning or late at night, a more pleasant experience. First Class will even feature special mood and table lighting.

• Staying Connected: Just like on the current Azuma trains, every one of the 569 seats will have a plug socket. But now, they'll also have modern USB-C ports. At table seats, the power sockets will be neatly arranged in a power bar on the tabletop, ending that awkward crawl under the table to find a plug.

• Information on the Go: New digital screens in every carriage will provide live journey and safety information, so customers always know what’s happening on their route.

Even the Café Bar is getting a makeover. It will feature digital menu screens showing what’s available in real-time, stocked with food and drink from local suppliers along the LNER route. The entire design focuses on making the journey smoother and more comfortable, from the seats to the lighting.

Powering the future with tri-mode tech

This is where things get really clever. The new Serenza fleet will be the first long-distance trains in the UK to be ‘tri-mode’. Think of it like a super-advanced hybrid car. It means the trains have three ways to get their power.

1. Electric: This is the main way they'll run, using the overhead electric wires that cover most of the East Coast Main Line. It’s clean and efficient.

2. Diesel: For parts of the route where there are no overhead wires, the trains can seamlessly switch to diesel engines to keep moving.

3. Battery: They also have batteries! This is especially useful for quietly arriving at and leaving stations that don't have overhead power, reducing noise and emissions.

This tri-mode capability makes the trains incredibly versatile and much better for the environment. They can be used across the entire LNER network, which covers nearly 1,000 miles, ensuring a more reliable service. Using battery power in built-up areas is a big step forward in making rail travel an even greener choice. The flexibility of this power system ensures a more resilient fleet that can handle the demands of the entire East Coast Main Line.

A journey designed for everyone

A huge part of the new design process has been focused on accessibility. LNER worked closely with its Accessibility Forum to make sure the new trains offer a better journey for disabled customers and anyone needing extra assistance. The team listened to over 47 recommendations and included the vast majority in the final design.

Changes include redesigned tables to provide more space for wheelchair users and moving seat legs to create extra room for assistance dogs. A grab rail will run along the full length of the Café Bar for extra support, and carriages with wheelchair spaces will have more luggage racks to keep walkways clear. For visually impaired customers, seat numbers will be in braille, making it easier to find the right seat. It’s all about creating a travel environment where everyone feels comfortable and supported, with great assistance features built into the train's very design.

Dr Linda Wain, Engineering Director at LNER, said:

“This is an exciting milestone for LNER as we reveal an insight into what our customers can expect from their journeys in the future and unveil a name. Our new fleet will bring more comfortable, more reliable, and greener journeys across the East Coast Main Line for decades to come and we are looking forward to their introduction in the coming years."

“Reaching this stage has taken a huge amount of work and it has been great to work in partnership with CAF as we design this new fleet of trains. As LNER continues to welcome more customers onboard, these trains will be vital in helping to meet demand for train travel while delivering a new, modern experience for our customers.”

Part of a bigger plan for British rail

The arrival of the Class 897 fleet isn't happening in isolation. It's part of the wider transformation of the UK's rail network under Great British Railways. The aim of GBR is to create a simpler, better railway for everyone, and this new fleet is a perfect example of that vision in action. These trains will help increase capacity to meet growing demand, something that started with the new timetable in December 2025 which added 60,000 extra seats per week.

Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, commented:

“We’re investing in our railways and bringing train operators into public ownership to put passengers back at the heart of what the railway does. This new fleet will be introduced under Great British Railways and will make travel even better for passengers."

"A better, more attractive railway will drive economic growth, jobs and homes along the entire East Coast Main Line, and follows the new ECML timetable which is transforming journeys by unlocking thousands of extra seats and more cheap fares."

With a focus on comfort, sustainability, and accessibility, the new Serenza trains are set to make a big difference for everyone travelling along one of Britain's most important rail routes. The new fleet, with its customer-focused design and advanced tri-mode power, signals a bright future for journeys on the East Coast Main Line.