London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has unveiled the first visual and functional details of its new fleet (Class 897), which will run on the East Coast Main Line in the coming years.
The trains, built by CAF and financed by Porterbrook, will be named “Serenza” and mark an important step forward in terms of comfort, accessibility, and operational flexibility.
Why “Serenza” matters
The new fleet is designed to respond to growing demand on the eastern corridor of the UK.
LNER carried over 24 million passengers in 2024–2025, and the introduction of a new train schedule in December 2025 added approximately 60,000 seats per week.
The Class 897 is designed to support this growth through increased capacity, reliability, and an upgraded onboard experience.
The interior: comfort and functionality
The images released show a redesigned interior based on passenger feedback:
- New seats in Standard and First Class, with redesigned cushions, wider side bolsters and headrests; in First Class, the seats will have a reclining function.
- Ambient lighting, including table lighting in First Class, designed to provide a more comfortable environment for morning and evening travel.
- Digital screens in each car with up-to-date route and safety information.
- Power outlets at every seat and USB-C ports; at four-seat tables, power is integrated into a table-mounted power panel.
- Five water bottle refill stations throughout the train.
Bicycles, luggage, and practical details
Bicycle spaces have been completely redesigned and equipped with easy-to-use fastening systems that allow for quick and secure attachment.
In carriages with seats reserved for people with reduced mobility, additional luggage racks will be installed to reduce improper use of space.
Accessibility: recommendations put into practice
LNER has worked with its own accessibility advisory group, and the result is reflected in several concrete solutions:
- Tables redesigned to provide more space for wheelchair users.
- Seat legs repositioned, creating additional space for assistance dogs.
- A continuous grab rail along the entire length of the Café Bar area.
- Seat numbers in Braille, for easier orientation for visually impaired passengers.
In total, 47 recommendations were made, most of which were included in the final design.
Tri-mode train for nearly 1,000 km of network
The Class 897 will be the first tri-mode long-distance train in the United Kingdom, capable of running on electricity from the overhead line, but also on diesel engines or batteries on non-electrified sections.
This solution allows the trains to be used on the entire LNER route, covering nearly 1,000 km, and helps to reduce the use of diesel engines, particularly when entering and leaving non-electrified stations.
Each train will have 10 carriages and a total of 569 seats in Standard and First Class, as well as dedicated wheelchair spaces with seats for companions.
Replacing a historic fleet
The new fleet will replace the InterCity 225 trains, which are at the end of a career spanning nearly 40 years, during which they have carried hundreds of millions of passengers.
The Class 897 will be introduced at a time of institutional transition, becoming the first new fleet of the Great British Railways era, and will bear the GBR visual identity, both inside and out.
What’s next
The interior design is nearly complete, with only minor adjustments possible before the project is fully finalized. LNER will provide further information as the introduction of the new fleet approaches.
The name “Serenza” was chosen with the involvement of LNER employees, and an application for trademark registration has been filed with the Intellectual Property Office.
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