East Midlands Railway (EMR) announced it will resume some previously cancelled Intercity train services starting 31 August 2026. The reinstatement will increase Intercity operations from 87% to 92% of the full planned timetable, including five weekday and three weekend services on the Sheffield route, and three weekday plus one weekend service on the Nottingham route.
Reduced Timetable and Fleet Reliability Issues
EMR introduced a reduced timetable on 20 July 2026 after reliability problems emerged with the new Aurora trains, known as Class 810 units, manufactured by Hitachi Rail. These trains, finally entering service in December 2025 after a three-year delay, have experienced issues affecting toilets, air
conditioning, and catering systems. The reduced schedule aligned services with the current availability of trains to maintain operational consistency.
Maintenance Efforts and Union Concerns
EMR is collaborating with Hitachi Rail and Rock Rail on an action plan to resolve problems with both the new Class 810 trains and the older Class 222 fleet. Maintenance activities on Class 222 units have increased, with supply chain improvements underway. The Long Marston Innovation Centre has been used to carry out modifications and testing on Class 810 trains. Meanwhile, the RMT union conducted strike action over safety concerns in early August 2026, including two Saturdays starting 1 August. EMR
denies claims that Class 810 trains do not meet required safety standards.
Official Statements on Progress
Neil Grabham, interim managing director of EMR, described the July reduced timetable as a difficult but necessary step to ensure reliable service during fleet challenges. He said, “We are now seeing encouraging signs that the reduced timetable has delivered the stability we were aiming for, and while there is still more work ahead with Hitachi Rail, this stabilisation represents an important milestone.” EMR states that aligning the timetable with available trains has reduced short-notice cancellations and enhanced service dependability on the Midland Main Line.
A Hitachi Rail spokesperson
noted that their joint action plan with EMR is delivering progress for both Class 810 and Class 222 fleets. Additional capacity at Long Marston supports long-term improvements, and increased maintenance has improved components availability. Hitachi Rail apologized to passengers for the inconvenience and reaffirmed commitment to ongoing improvements.
Impact on Passengers
Passengers travelling on the Sheffield and Nottingham routes will benefit from the reinstatement of previously cancelled Intercity services from 31 August 2026. The increase to 92% of the full scheduled timetable reflects a movement closer to normal service levels. The earlier reduced timetable introduced in July helped minimize short-notice cancellations and provided
more consistent train operations.
Industry Context
EMR’s introduction of the Aurora Class 810 trains was delayed by three years before their December 2025 launch. Reliability and maintenance challenges on both the new and legacy Class 222 trains have affected passenger facilities and service quality. Additionally, strike action by the RMT union over safety concerns in early August 2026 temporarily disrupted service availability. EMR and its partners continue to work on solutions to restore full operational capability on the Midland Main Line.
