New Hornby LNER Azuma Class 801/2 announced

The new limited-edition LNER Azuma Class 801/2 Railway 200 is available as either a five-car train pack or a coach pack of four, priced at £549.99 and £289.99, respectively, and both are expected to arrive by the end of the year.

LNER unveiled a commemorative livery to mark 200 years since the first passenger journey on the world-famous Stockton & Darlington Railway (S&DR).

According to the rail company, ‘Darlington’ has been designed to hail the town’s world-changing contribution to the railway throughout the years, and showcases significant events and landmarks from its history.

Included on the striking livery is Locomotion No.1, the first locomotive to haul passengers on the S&DR, the first edition of the Northern Echo, published in Darlington and the UK’s first truly national newspaper, Hopetown, the Darlington railway museum located on the grounds of the former S&DR works; capped off with an LNER Azuma train and the design of the new entrance to the station.

In a special event at Darlington station, the train’s livery was unveiled with help from Voices of Darlington Choir and Durham singer-songwriter Sam Slatcher who performed his composition inspired by the Stockton & Darlington Railway.

The station, which is managed by LNER, has also been decorated to remind the millions of customers that pass through it each year of this special anniversary.

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