Tuesday 5th July 2022.Picture Credit Charlotte Graham .Picture Shows ..LNER En Route Test Run London North Eastern Railway (LNER) InterCity 225 locomotive number 91127 and set of coaches NL17 pictured on the East Coast route south of Doncaster after receiving a full repaint and rebrand as part of essential maintenance work before returning to passenger service.
LNER will celebrate almost 40 years of InterCity 225 service on the East Coast Main Line with the first “225 Day” on 22 May 2025, featuring a newly named Class 91 locomotive, onboard giveaways and a social-media campaign.
Overview
London North Eastern Railway (LNER) has designated Thursday, 22 May 2025 as “225 Day” to honour the InterCity 225 fleet—trains that have formed the backbone of high-speed electric services on the East Coast Main Line since 1989. The event recognises the fleet’s transition into its final years of passenger operation alongside the newer Azuma sets.
Key highlights of 225 Day
| Initiative | Detail |
|---|---|
| Locomotive naming | An LNER Class 91 will receive a commemorative nameplate. |
| Onboard engagement | InterCity 225 sets in service will carry limited-edition merchandise and passenger giveaways. |
| Social media | Passengers and staff are invited to share memories using #225Day. |
Engineering achievement
Introduced after the electrification of the route, the InterCity 225—comprising a Class 91 locomotive, nine Mk 4 coaches and a Driving Van Trailer—was designed to run at 140 mph (225 km/h). While current operating speeds are lower, the sets have amassed millions of miles between London King’s Cross, Yorkshire and, at times, Edinburgh.
“Our InterCity 225 trains have been running up and down the East Coast Main Line for almost 40 years, and it feels right that we celebrate all they have achieved,” said Dr Linda Wain, Engineering Director, LNER.
Eversholt Rail, owner of the fleet, has welcomed the initiative, citing the trains’ long-standing reputation for speed and passenger comfort.
Operational context
Today the InterCity 225 primarily serves Leeds, York and other West and North Yorkshire destinations, supplementing the Azuma fleet and providing valuable capacity during peak periods and service disruptions.
How enthusiasts can participate
Railway professionals and enthusiasts can:
- Plan a journey on 22 May to travel on an InterCity 225 service.
- Collect commemorative giveaways available onboard selected diagrams.
- Share historical photographs or personal stories on social media with #225Day.
Looking ahead
LNER has not yet published a formal withdrawal schedule, but the operator confirms that InterCity 225 sets will remain in limited service into the late 2020s. “225 Day” therefore represents both a celebration of past achievements and a curtain-raiser for the fleet’s final chapter.
