East Midlands Railway (EMR) announced on 17 July 2026 that it is reducing several Intercity services indefinitely due to performance issues with its new Class 810 trains. The Class 810 fleet, manufactured by Hitachi Rail, was introduced in December 2025 after a three-year delay.
Affected routes and service adjustments
The service reductions affect Intercity routes operating between London St Pancras and cities including Leicester, Nottingham, Lincoln, Derby and Sheffield on the Midland mainline. From Monday 20 July 2026, some trains on these routes will be cancelled, while others will operate with fewer carriages.
Customer provisions and safety compliance
Passengers holding tickets on cancelled services can use alternative trains up to
two departures before or after their original booking. Those choosing not to travel may request full refunds. EMR emphasized that the Class 810 fleet met all necessary safety standards following comprehensive testing and regulatory approvals prior to entering service.
Causes: Delayed introduction and fleet reliability issues
EMR stated that the initial three-year delay to the Class 810 rollout, combined with ongoing reliability and maintenance difficulties affecting both the new Class 810 and the existing Class 222 fleet, have significantly impaired their ability to maintain consistent service. The Class 810 trains were intended to gradually replace the Class 222 fleet with a period of joint operation supported by
Hitachi Rail maintenance.
Official statements from EMR and Hitachi Rail
Will Rogers, EMR managing director, said: “The performance of the Class 810 fleet has fallen below the levels we and our customers expect, and it is necessary to introduce a temporary reduced timetable while we work with Hitachi Rail to improve consistency in service.” He acknowledged the dissatisfaction caused to customers and the challenges faced by frontline staff due to reliability issues.
An EMR spokesperson added: “The introduction of the new Class 810 fleet was designed to provide a smooth transition from the Class 222 fleet, with a significant period where both fleets would operate alongside one
another under the maintenance of Hitachi Rail. However, a three-year delay in the first Class 810 trains coming into service, together with ongoing service reliability and maintenance issues across both fleets, has significantly impacted upon EMR’s ability to run a reliable Intercity service.”
A Hitachi Rail representative stated: “The Class 810 fleet has been in passenger service with East Midlands Railway since December 2025 and more than a third of the fleet has now been delivered. We continue to work closely with all industry partners during the entry-into-service phase, implementing improvements and supporting the transition from the existing fleet to
new Aurora trains.” The company is investing in further testing to support continued fleet introduction.
Passenger impact and expert commentary
Passengers on Midland mainline Intercity routes are facing cancellations and reduced carriage availability. Rail passenger organization Railfuture criticized the service cuts, stating they move railway standards in the wrong direction, as passengers expect reliable, less crowded trains. Harborough MP Neil O’Brien, a frequent EMR user, described the ongoing situation as a “total mess” that has persisted for months.
Continued phased fleet rollout
EMR confirmed the Class 810 fleet rollout will proceed in a controlled manner throughout 2026 and 2027. The timetable reductions will remain until the operator and Hitachi
Rail resolve the current disruption and improve service reliability.
