225 Services
InterCity 225s were designed for long distance high speed services and are formed of Class 91 electric locomotives hauling up to nine Mark 4 coaches and a Driving Van Trailer (DVT). They retain the speed record for a locomotive-hauled train in the UK.
Even after many years, InterCity 225s capably work as designed. Although they are now fewer in number, you can still travel on one today - approximately a third of the fleet remain in mainline passenger service at two train operating companies.
London North Eastern Railway (LNER)
LNER leases eight InterCity 225 sets which they run alongside their newer Azuma fleet. The rakes were shortened to seven coaches in November 2025 to improve acceleration as required for the Velocity timetable.
Routes operated
London King's Cross — Leeds — Bradford / Skipton
London King's Cross — York
Operational fleet
57 Mark 4 coaches and 9 DVTs
12 Class 91 locomotives
Transport for Wales (TfW)
TfW owns eight sets of Mark 4 coaches overhauled to operate with diesel locomotives. The refurbished five coach rakes offer increased capacity and high-quality journeys on key routes between North and South Wales.
Routes operated
Manchester — Cardiff — Swansea
Holyhead — Cardiff
Operational fleet
40 Mark 4 coaches and 9 DVTs