After a more than five-year hiatus, rail customers in the North East have been reunited with a familiar sight as LNER reintroduces a daily passenger service operated by an InterCity 225 train.
These much-loved trains have been a staple across the East Coast Main Line since they were brought into service in the 1990s. However, as LNER introduced its new, modern fleet of Azuma trains, the 225s’ long reign in the North East ended in September 2020, with the trains now predominantly operating on West Yorkshire services.
Now, as LNER continues to deliver 10,000 extra services every year following the introduction of its transformational December 2025 timetable, the 225s are back.
From Monday 30 March, an InterCity 225 set has been operating the 14:33 departure (weekdays only) from London King’s Cross to Newcastle, before departing Newcastle at 18:27 and returning to the capital.
At weekends, an InterCity 225 train will also operate the 12:33 from London King’s Cross to Newcastle and the 16:27 from Newcastle to London King’s Cross.
As part of the major timetable change, alongside the planned reintroduction of the 225 to Newcastle, five additional weekday services commenced today, including a new return London King’s Cross to Harrogate service, and extra early morning and late-night trains. New services are also being introduced on weekends.
Image credit: LNER