East Midlands Railway (EMR) announced it will reduce train services starting July 20, 2026, on routes running between London St Pancras and cities including Leicester, Nottingham, Lincoln, Derby, and Sheffield. The move follows ongoing disruptions linked to the rollout of the new Aurora (Class 810) trains, which entered passenger service in December 2025 after a three-year delay.
Scope of Service Reductions
The service reductions involve cancellations of multiple Intercity trains and the operation of some services with fewer carriages. EMR has applied a reduced timetable since early July 2026, initially attributing changes to warm weather conditions. However, the July 17 announcement stated the changes
will continue until further notice as fleet issues remain unresolved. Customers can access a published list of cancellations online.
Causes and Background
The Class 810 fleet was intended to replace the Class 222 trains, with a significant period of both fleets operating concurrently under Hitachi Rail’s maintenance oversight. Despite meeting all safety and regulatory requirements before entering service, the Class 810 trains have underperformed, with managing director Will Rogers saying the fleet’s performance has “fallen below the levels we and our customers expect.” Both the new Class 810 and the existing Class 222 fleets face reliability and maintenance problems contributing to EMR’s difficulty
maintaining a stable Intercity service.
Customer Impact and Official Responses
Passengers holding tickets for cancelled trains may travel on up to two services before or after their booked journey or request a full refund. EMR has apologized for the disruption, with Rogers acknowledging the frustration caused to customers and frontline staff alike. The operator emphasized its commitment to restoring reliable services and confirmed ongoing efforts with manufacturer Hitachi Rail to resolve the issues promptly.
Statements from Stakeholders
Will Rogers stressed the challenges of maintaining service standards amid reliability issues. An EMR spokesperson explained that the fleet introduction was designed for a smooth transition from Class 222 to Class
810 trains but was delayed by three years, with cumulative maintenance problems affecting operations. Hitachi Rail confirmed that over a third of the Class 810 fleet has been delivered and that it is investing in additional testing at Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre to aid fleet introduction. Neil O’Brien, MP for Harborough, criticized the situation as “a total mess” that has persisted for months. Passenger group Railfuture warned the service reductions move rail reliability in the wrong direction.
Fleet Rollout and Future Plans
EMR plans to continue the controlled rollout of the Class 810 fleet through 2026 and 2027. Hitachi Rail remains focused on delivering
the remaining trains and supporting the transition phase. Both companies are collaborating to improve service reliability and reduce disruptions as more Aurora trains enter passenger service.
