London North Eastern Railway has named its forthcoming Class 897 intercity fleet “Serenza” and released interior design details for the trains, which are being built by CAF and financed by Porterbrook.
The Class 897 trains will be the first long-distance tri-mode intercity trains in the UK, capable of operating under 25 kV AC overhead supply, diesel power and battery mode. Each train will provide 569 seats across Standard and First Class, including wheelchair spaces with companion seating, and is intended to replace LNER’s InterCity 225 fleet.
LNER said the fleet has been specified to support continued passenger growth on the route, following the introduction of a new timetable in December 2025 that added around 60,000 seats per week. Passenger numbers reached more than 24 million in the 2024–25 financial year.
The trains are expected to be the first new fleet introduced under Great British Railways and will carry GBR branding internally and externally. They will operate across the full LNER network, which extends to almost 1,000 miles, with battery operation intended to reduce diesel use in non-electrified station approaches.
Interior features include redesigned seating in both classes, new digital passenger information screens, USB-C and plug sockets at every seat, and five water refill stations per train. Bike storage areas have been reconfigured following passenger feedback, and the café bar layout has been updated with digital menus.
Accessibility changes were developed with LNER’s Accessibility Forum, resulting in modifications such as larger wheelchair table spaces, additional luggage racks near accessible areas, grab rails along the café bar, and braille seat numbering. LNER said 47 recommendations were made, with most incorporated into the final design.
Final interior specifications remain subject to minor changes until design freeze.
