As of 2018, rail operator Virgin Trains will operate Hitachi IEP trains on the East Coast Main Line. And now they have a name: Say hello to ‘Azuma’. Literally translated, Azuma means “east” in Japanese.
The presentation took place on March 18 at Kings Cross Station in London. A class 800 IEP train was presented sporting the new name and Virgin Trains branding. 65 new sets will enter service for Virgin, connecting Edinburgh and Leeds.