The Azuma Flying Scotsman

LNER are now running their new 'Azuma' train between Edinburgh and King's Cross - the flagship service being the 0540 Flying Scotsman which is scheduled to take exactly four hours to get to London.
We were on the board the first Azuma Flying Scotsman on the 1st August 2019, stopwatch in hand to see what happened ...

[@ultimatejaffacakes6876]

York Station: I’m so important because everyone stops here! Azuma: I’m gonna end this whole station’s carrer

[@TheAmir259]

York wasn't served by Flying Scotsman since LNER days, was paused in BR days and finally resumed by one of the companies after privatization.

[@darkcenturion5735]

aye trains haven't been stopping in york on the flying scotsman service for years, as mentioned this was a thing that started in the 1920s

[@darkcenturion5735]

@@zombard1966 york is one of the most important stations in the country, also with at least 6 TOCs servicing it, it's a major interchange with services through the midlands, some to cornwall and devon, services to the yorkshire coast, services to west yorkshire, services through the pennines to manchester and liverpool, even blackpool, and obviously services between scotland and london

[@soundseeker63]

@@zombard1966 Its as much to do with the fact the trains have to slow down so much to pass through it (so may as well stop there) as it is being a major station.

[@paulsengupta971]

It's probably a good thing that trains stop in York. A friend of mine in London once rushed to get on what he thought was a a train to somewhere like Milton Keynes, only to find, when the train pulled out, that it was a non-stop to York...

[@aviator3926]

Of all the Managing Directors, David is quite good. He doesn’t always think he’s the best and (as seen) acts as a normal passenger without making a fuss.

[@SOPM944]

You obviously never know what it is like to work for a company but as it goes he does come across well, even down to mentioning the trains are better for staff and passengers not just passengers.

[@aviator3926]

LORD OF THE BATTYMANS exactly!

[@aviator3926]

Dave Sisson I’m sure he wouldn’t have been happy but yeah... sounds like the sort of thing a MD would do

[@aviator3926]

Dave Sisson yep!

[@boomerrob9223]

3 hours 59 minutes? Sure, on a high profile journey with the press, the MD and other assorted heid bummers. Pardon my cynicism but I reckon it'll be a long long time before that time is regularly achieved.

[@OlanKenny]

Managing Director just happily sat in standard? Pretty rare probably. Respect to him for that

[@jonathanbaker3307]

Nah they were in first, although I can attest that standard is very comfy. Edit: only for the interview

[@geofftech2]

@@jonathanbaker3307 David (the MD) actually walked up and down the train talking to staff and customers for almost all of the journey taking feedback and making sure that everyone was OK. When I stumbled upon him by chance, he was (unforced) sitting in standard checking his phone, and I nabbed him on camera again. We didn't set it up.

[@jonathanbaker3307]

@@geofftech2 that's a good managing director, must be nice to work under him

[@NorrieMacTHESMOG]

David is very approachable. He always talks when he is in waverley

[@acmenipponair]

@Sid Morris: For the UK, Geoff is nowadays for the railroads the biggest influencer and therefore advertisement. Yes, the BBC and so on are also nice - but the young generation is reached via KZbin. And yes, that's an important role. Because, yes, the buying customers are also important. But somebody must say to them: "hey, there is such and such service, you can use". And that's in the UK is in a part the job of Geoff :D

[@abtravel0279]

Sorry for getting in shot by accident Geoff, was told by my duty manager to look after the doors for the first ever welcome onboard, hope it wasn’t too difficult to edit :( But nevertheless a very proud day for myself and all of us at LNER, Such a good day to be part of and something to look back on when I’m older. Apparently I’m one of the youngest employees at LNER and I’m so thankful of what the company has done for me over the past year and what I have been able to do. Without a doubt one of the best places and best industries to work in, don’t hesitate once if you’re thinking about it would be my advice for anyone looking for a career in the railway. For those wondering next confirmed Azuma diagram is 1E06 and 1S23, there should be another diagram from 16th or 30th September, no details on diagram as yet. Here’s to the future #Azuma #LNER

[@iiBus]

Nice Lothian Country Icon, by the way

[@ChilternTransportProductions]

Good. Now I know which diagrams to avoid (for now)!

[@ponline3170]

obv he ain't bothered

[@ESCOHBAR]

it’s weird seeing people next to each other, i forgot human interaction was a thing great video btw

[@ye_mother]

Bruh

[@davekirwin]

Some nice editing bits I spotted in there. MD seems like a genuine person and not a corporate mouthpiece which is a refreshing change. Seagull shot - standard. Nice video, thanks G.

[@acmenipponair]

good press speakers are both: corporate mouth pieces - who also know, that a good company not only tries to shine themselves in the best light, but also admit and answers to criticism.

[@ewanmurray153]

Whoa, I was just about to say you must have been up early. I lived in Edinburgh for years and that's the only time you see it that empty

[@GrrMeister]

*That's on account of the Scot's Inebriation from the 'Night Before' !"*

[@ewanmurray153]

@@GrrMeister I used to work night shift and walk back via the Royal Mile about 5/6am. I've seen people still out continuing to drink at that time!

[@GrrMeister]

@@ewanmurray153 *Need I say More ! Trying to Drink Campbeltown Loch Dry no doubt !*

[@ewanmurray153]

By the way, please don't let this put you off Edinburgh, the only we thing is ask of visitors, is please don't use bus drivers as tourist information desks when everyone in the bus is trying to get to work. Oh and *Always say thanks to the driver - it's the Law!*

[@ponline3170]

@@ewanmurray153 only in Scotland

[@eyeofthetiger6002]

These are actually great trains from Hitachi and reliability should be top notch as well so well done LNER for acquiring them.👍

[@jamesreid6519]

Thanks Geoff, l had to watch this again this morning in lockdown, here in Scotland just to get some sense of normality on the railway and in life it’s self. There was a comment about Edinburgh being quiet and empty. Never did we think that eight short months later we would see the major cities of the UK and around the country being brought to a standstill. Your videos are helping to give me as a railway enthusiast the hope that we can get back to enjoying our trains, stations, railway staff and the travelling public again 🤞Thanks again Geoff.

[@mikeythrussell7409]

Very impressed, my last train journey to Scotland, Glasgow, took 11 hours. It was a Sunday in mid 1960s, the track was having work done, it felt like every mile. Glad to see things have improved dramatically.

[@peepoo1455]

Ok boomer

[@arthurvasey]

Thanks to the actions of vandals, it once took me about eleven hours to get from Taunton to Middlesbrough - normally, I can get a train from Taunton to Darlington that leaves at a bit before 11 am and - if it runs to time - arrive in Darlington around 4 - the Middlesbrough train usually pulls in around half four and gets me to Middlesbrough just before 5 - if I can get my niece to meet me at Darlington and she can drive me there in her car, and she does it non-stop, I can be at my sister’s place around half four - otherwise it’s nearly 6 pm!

[@wheezypalacemodels7726]

Loved this video..history in the making. Thanks for sharing Geoff

[@goldenkoi23]

Geoff, “can we make this journey under 4 hours?” David Horne, “hold my beer” Driver, “3.59, I need a beer”

[@mike7002]

Rather superb, Geoff. Thank you for another great video.

[@wesleythebear-js3353]

Great vid Geoff, you always put in the effort and the time.

[@simonrory9]

I did the Journey from Newcastle to Kings Cross with my Son and got a photo of my son and Geoff in 1st Class really good journey.

[@Stephen_Lafferty]

And now I want to see the sped-up footage from the recording iPhone in the cab! Thanks for getting up so early to do this video, Geoff!

[@gymnasiast90]

Sped-up? Proper fans want to see the footage in real time! ;-)

[@terilyte3152]

HS2 is about capacity more than speed and a new line may as well be high speed

[@acmenipponair]

Terilyte: We are talking about the cab view footage they seem to have recorded during the run ;) you can see a small iphone recording the journey :D

[@HSMiyamoto]

I'm impressed by how much the managing director knows about the details of his business, including the train diagram, i.e., where the Scotsman passes the early morning up service from Hull.

[@michaelpilling9659]

WOW! - that was fantastic. I'm old enough (72) to have travelled on the ECM by A4 , Deltic and HST125. The Azuma is amazing - under 4 hours! Brilliant video Geoff - thanks so much

[@rossarmstrong6731]

Fully supported digital signalling on the longest straight bits should be able to bump the speeds up to 140mph, possibly shaving a further 5 minutes off.

[@dglcomputers1498]

Quite, there were plans to use flashing green aspects to denote that the next signal (or was it 2 signals) was/were also green and was used to test the CL91 at 140 MPH, but at those speeds seeing signal aspects becomes a real problem so whilst the 91's and Mk 4's could do 140 it was rarely if ever done "officially" in passenger service (there are reports that the HST's at least have done ~140 MPH back in ye olden days when making up time! The flashing green aspects, despite not being used for their original purpose, still exist, I believe. 140mph should also be possible on the GWML as that is quite straight and possibly on the WCML with tilting stock (the CL390 pendolinos can do 140 I believe)

[@WelshMullet]

Need to get the in cab signalling out and about

[@rossarmstrong6731]

@@dglcomputers1498 On the WCML, after Hampton-in-Arden the flashing green indicates divergence from mainline at posted speed limit. After that signal, ahead of Birmingham International, there are high speed points to send trains to/through the selected platforms.

[@GrrMeister]

*They were talking of this with HST 40 Years ago, West Coast Route Pendolino can travel up to 140MPH ! - Snails Rate of Progress.*

[@rossarmstrong6731]

@@GrrMeister The problem was the level of complexity on the WCML which prevented them from doing this at a reasonable cost. Remember, costs had already spiralled out of control during the line upgrade as they found more work that needed doing as they kept digging through the old infrastructure. And even then it wasn't fully completed the first time around. Blame Railtrack and government for that one, and the heavily fragmented nature of the rail and maintainence regime of the time. Trent Valley straight could possibly have entertained a speed increase of up to 140mph using the flashing system but again, cost, complexity all come into play here. Eventually it will be done but that may not be for another decade or so. On the ECML however, digital signalling is more likely to happen sooner, particularly at the London end.

[@MyTravelChannel-RO]

Splendid video my friend! It was a real pleasure to watch it until the end. Great place for a visit. Thank you for taking me on this beautiful tour! Greetings and I wish you a beautiful day!

[@superdeluxesmell]

I’m not entirely sure why I love this channel so much, but I do!

[@jonathanchester5916]

One of the very few presenters and channels to cross over from fan-geek to commercial contacts. It's very non-cringey and genuine the way you interact with the pros (and the norms as well for that matter). Big thumbs up from Montreal. Which has hardly any trains.

[@mikegomm3625]

Excellent video as always, really enjoyed it.

[@heliostransport515]

This made me cry. It is so amazing to see that LNER is extending their services.

[@nige-g]

Lovely video all positive and Waverly station is a favourite of mine.

[@duncansmith44]

I watch your videos and decide "I have to do that now"... You are costing me money Marshall!!!! ;)

[@pjsixhundred]

Great video. Impressed with the MD too.

[@ianbird6997]

Great videos Geoff been watch them for years keep them coming 👍👍👍👍👍 Seriously impressed with the Azuma trains went one one last week down to kings x great ride 😃😃😃👍👍👍👍

[@mightyvagabond]

Great video Geoff, cannot wait to go on an Azuma/ 800. I wish we could get these here in Australia to replace our XPT's, which were basically a HST unit

[@tonyg1071]

Really enjoyed this, thanks for sharing it with us.

[@paulconnors2078]

Thsnk you for this most informative and entertaining video of the inaugural service of the new Azuma trains. I wish we had them here in the USA.

[@timothyleberl1202]

Wow Geoff. That was very extraordinary. I will be definitely try this out in the near future!

[@philipbrailey]

Great video. Also helps so many tourists like me, from Sydney 🇦🇺 Thanks for posting.

[@AinsleyHarriott1]

Thank you LNER!

[@pipeqez911]

4 hours with a stop along the way while traveling such a large distance is amazing.

[@rafatheraft]

I love these videos, a new and faster service than ever before. :) Yay!

[@mickking1783]

Another great video Geoff.

[@gerontius34]

About 2 years ago I took the Flying Scotsman (Intercity 225) and you went through York a lot faster than we did! Great video, btw.

[@MichaelEhling]

The Fist of Quality! Yes.

[@janpeternelj2309]

I was in Edinburgh on the 1st too. Saw the Azuma posters all around the city and was thinking this surely will be a Geoff video.

[@Lulu-jl5zd]

Good Heavens: Trains overtaking each other!!! Great video Geoff!

[@dananderson9708]

Les 1266 2 Azuma’s passing each other at speed would make an incredible photo!!

[@ufx808]

Yep! Another great video, thanks Geoff

[@anylex5328]

Yes, a great day yesterday for LNER. And all credit to you, Geoff, for filming and editing the whole thing so it could be posted within 24 hours of the shooting. There are not many film makers who can achieve that mix of an informal and interesting video alongside high speed editing and high production values. I have only been on the Azuma once a few weeks ago on London KGX to Doncaster. Which reminds me, David Horne looked much happier on your video than when he was working (in full LNER uniform, I should add) the extra 2030 from KGX to NCL after the wires came down at Peterborough last Thursday.

[@peterr.905]

Geoff, brilliant video!

[@rick081956]

Great video, my next trip to UK will have me on that train. Glad to see you venture more out of London, keep mixing it up.

[@lewispeal9102]

I could watch your videos four hours, Geoff

[@jonsmith8582]

Edinburgh AND trains , doesn't get much better than that !

[@amtrakharry]

That was excellent and fun !!! Thank you for sharing !!! :):):)

[@mactopia1]

I always miss out on the UK's major infrastructure upgrade rollouts! I've been waiting for the LNER Azuma and TPE Nova during my past 5 years in York as a frequent rail traveler. Visa expired and had to leave the country BEFORE their rollouts! SAD! But great videos Geoff they're a great consolation! :)

[@Paco_Gaepedores]

Absolutely lovely video Geoff !!! woohoo 💛❤🤍

[@EoRdE6]

I can't believe how close I've come to bumping into you this past two weeks. I was in Warrington Central the day before you when you were hunting the Pacer Replacement and now I was in Edinburgh Waverly a day after you...

[@smudgycat6750]

Ah the positive vibes we had for these, now we're yearning for the return of the 91s😊

[@fatwalletboy2]

Thats some hammer going down there to blow 400 odd miles away in under 4 hours. Great video. Loved the seagull pattering his feet along at the beginning and LNERs MD seems a likeable chap. Impressive broach adorning his jacket.

[@thechristoff78]

excellent video, thank you!

[@hughmnyks]

Thanks for a great trip! Stafford - the place of my birth and the main reason why I live in Denmark - got a mention, just as the train was seen passing Polesworth. I went to Glasgow in 1972 from Gloucester via Stafford and passed just half a mile from my family home on my way to an RAF posting in Lossiemouth. ‘‘Twas and emotional trip, and it took one hell of a lot longer than 3 hours anything. Spent the night in Glasgow at the YMCA in dirty sheets. Those were the days!

[@djburland]

Brilliant effort for LNER

[@PokhrajRoy.]

Thanks for the decaf tip, Geoff!

[@eightfivetwohk13]

Great video, great turn around.

[@OntarioTrafficMan]

393 miles (632 km) in 4 hours is an average speed of 98 mph (158 km/h) which is on par with some full-on high-speed-rail services in Europe. Well done Network Rail!

[@Claire-ue2oe]

1st also great again Geoff! You should do more Scottish videos especially as we got new class 385 trains and hst from gwr. Glasgow queen street is the best place to see both without (too much) trains in the way

[@edinburghtransport7604]

nop waverley ;)

[@dhd1100]

Brilliant -as always

[@Brian-xd2oi]

Thanks for posting this Geoff. I’m a signaller in York and rarely get to see them in action or travel on trains, yet I signal hundreds of trains per shift, of all different types, many of them are Azumas. They are an amazing train, and they look fabulous. Well done to everyone involved in the project, you can all be proud of yourselves. Whenever I see them in York station on my way to work it gives me a very real sense of pride and a thrill to think how far the railway has come in a short space of time. When I started signalling just over 23 years ago we were still using absolute block and mechanical semaphore signalling. Now I sit at computer screens, in a modern air conditioned building, like a 2 dimensional air traffic controller, controlling hundreds of trains using nothing more than a computer mouse.

[@zonavelhalpma]

fantastic video

[@tinglestingles]

I've watched hundreds of hours of your YT videos, I suppose I should really sub - keep up the good work.

[@ryanelewis1379]

Why wouldn't u

[@Jobother]

It's really nice that David Horn seems to be One of Us. He looks like he really just enjoys trains and wants to make the best out of the service.

[@Paranoid_Found]

This is brilliant, nice quality train with nice services

[@0wls2k]

Surprised by the MD's passion and genuine nature, fair play to the guy.

[@QPRTokyo]

A wonderful video.

[@SaturnCanuck]

Very nice. Congratulations.

[@jamesbarrett1583]

The original class 91 services had two trains timed between London and Edinburgh at 3 hours and 59 minutes. This included stops at York and Newcastle.

[@jedits_]

Can't wait to try this service for myself! 4 hours is amazing considering the distance. Just need the infrastructure to keep up with the trains.

[@clairexxx7473]

I loooovvveeed this!!!😍😍 Im a Scot living Down Under so seeing anything remotely Scottish is amazing to me!😍 aww the piper at the end!!🥰 Another train ill need to take when im home xxx

[@captainkoehler714]

6:50 you pass my school 😂 thanks for the feature Geoff

[@JudsonMatt88]

Great video Geoff. It's a beautiful route the East Coast Mainline, my favourite in Britain I think. I'll really miss the Intercity 225 and the HST but the new Azuma looks modern and sleek in design and is with modern times. Looks very comfortable and nice inside as well 😊

[@dancarey285]

First does. I travelled in standard and the seats are like sitting on stone.

[@pshearduk]

awesome as always Geoff... I travel back and forth from Leeds to Edinburgh each week.... up on LNER, down on Cross Country. First class on both journeys each week... and I must say LNER feels like First Class... Cross Country however are diabolical and charge more than LNER. They actually begrudge giving you anything more than a tiny can of soft drink and a packet of crisps.. woe be tied if you actually ask for a sandwich or a hot meal.. they really must tell the crew to give out as little as possible. LNER on the other hand cannot do enough for the first class travellers.. I cannot wait to go on an Azuma (fingers crossed for soon).

[@ScottishNSRailFan]

Very enjoyable and informative, while having a late breakfast

[@tehcmn]

I was working just off camera at 0:28 on the very day you filmed this! :D

[@michaelbruchas6663]

Well-run line! On my bucket list!

[@lorna_alice]

I was at work early yesterday morning in Berwick and a lovely old couple was up at silly am to go and witness it going across the bridge. Wish I could have joined them.

[@UTubeThePatient]

I remember the ATP press day in 1981 did not go so well. So good for LNER (21st century version) and the Hitachi Azuma. I was diverted on the hot day last week to go from Kings Cross to Sheffield via Doncaster and found the ride very good. Mind you it is remarkably straight on the East side.

[@JimPatience]

Never thought that someone making videos about trains, especially British trains, would ever be of any interest to me. Geoff, you have proved me wrong time and time again so keep the entertaining and very informative videos coming. PS. Could you give the Brighton - Victoria people a kick up the preverbials please? Rail replacement buses aren't meant to be the norm for years on end!

[@keithchowney3392]

Great video.train looks cool. The MD seems like nice guy and like one of us.

[@bobfromhull]

I did the first service out of Hull on May 16th. Great full English breakfast. Came back on Hull trains borrowed 125 set. A great train day out.

[@andrewdempsey2651]

This a brilliant video! I'm in it....I'm a star! I'm at 4 min 44 seconds 🙂⭐👏🏻

[@geofftech2]

ha ha, hello Andrew!! nice to see you here. did you only just find the video ??

[@andrewdempsey2651]

@@geofftech2 Yeah, I've just been so busy at work and also setting up a Neighbourhood Watch at home. Hope you're well 🙂

[@ad-fp4cw]

@@geofftech2 hi geoff. the picture of me is a fake. its a fake account. can you please edit that video and take me out of it. i am the real andrew dempsey the guy with the speed app and i can prove who i am as i know who i was sitying with at the same table. thanks. andrew dempsey

[@vadar03]

@@andrewdempsey2651 neighbourhood watch ? Canmore ?

[@jamesmiller113]

Nice work, and nice wheels! Hope to have an excuse to ride that rapid bad boy some day soon :)

[@orcaproductions4090]

That cab has a sweet view

[@jono2575]

Wow that's amazing

[@pyeonghwa0115]

Fantastic video with ZERO DISLIKE!

[@allyreneepenny9447]

Beautiful this train 👌

[@radders261]

Brilliant!!!

[@ninjagoggles]

Loved this! So excited for it to go both ways so I can visit my friends in Newcastle when I'm over! Also, JC told me he can't go to the thing this weekend!!! Nooooo!!! 🚎🚎🚎 He'd be Beckinham, right? 😂

[@alexanderrutherford7149]

Gonna miss the Class 91s and 43s when they get replaced. Hopefully some of them aren’t scrapped and are preserved. Would love to go down to York or Shildon to see a beloved piece of my childhood once again.

[@birdyedits4051]

Wow! Very good

[@joshholloway4799]

You need to film the new class 755 trains I would happily join you for it

[@ghighlandchieftain4462]

Brilliant video geoff I am jealous u on new lner 800 and I like to meet you

[@thoughtsonfitness3249]

More MD’s like you please...... the infrastructure sorely needs them.

[@robmcrob2091]

People want to travel this way. Edinburgh will be 3hrs when (if) we get hs2. Imagine that. Flying that distance is a ball ache.

[@runawayplane6166]

Great video Geoff. Ever fancied doing a video about The Great Train Robbery? A visit to Sears Crossing or Bridego Bridge in Buckinghamshire?

[@norbitonflyer5625]

Why celebrate a vicious crime? (the train driver never fully recovered from the beating up he got)

[@StoodStill]

Norbiton Flyer Not really celebrating though is it? It’s an fascinating event that most people are interested in.

[@runawayplane6166]

WeekendWarrior Totally agree. I guess we can watch this space, eh Geoff?... 😜

[@iiBus]

Wow! You are in Edinburgh, that is where I am right now ;)

[@Roo63]

Those HST's look Fantastic, Geoff :P But you look bloody knackered. Look after yourself better, kiddo. Heard today's Flying Scotsman fly through Darlington & it sounded like a OO gauge train with Metal Wheels, as compared to an Electra at speed. Excellent video of the new Airfix EMU :D Nice one.

[@caw25sha]

Anybody who gets up in the middle of the night is allowed to look like death warmed up :-)