Hitachi’s at-risk Newton Aycliffe factory has been given a boost as trains built there were named the UK’s most reliable.

Lumo trains, called Class 803s, manufactured at the County Durham plant during the Covid pandemic and run between Edinburgh and London have been given a ‘gold spanner’ for being the most reliable in the last 12 months.

It is the third year running that Hitachi has won the award, which means trains break down less, have fewer errors and spend less time being repaired than others.

One of Lumo's Aycliffe-built Hitachi trains.One of Lumo's Aycliffe-built Hitachi trains. (Image: LUMO) It comes against an uncertain future for the Newton Aycliffe factory, which faces a fast-approaching gap in its order book threatening its existence and hundreds of jobs.

The Echo has been campaigning since March to ‘Keep Hitachi on Track’, taking the message to Government that the factory cannot be allowed to close and skilled jobs lost in the North East.

Talks between Hitachi and Government to find a solution have been going on “at pace” for months, and are understood to remain productive.

The Echo understands the award could help woo potential buyers, showing off how reliable the trains are, as it aims to secure its long-term future in County Durham with more orders.

The Class 803 train has been named most reliable in the Second Generation New Inter-City category.The Class 803 train has been named most reliable in the Second Generation New Inter-City category. (Image: LUMO) Jim Brewin, UK Chief Director at Hitachi Rail, said: “For the third consecutive year, Hitachi Rail’s maintenance team has been honoured with the industry’s highest award for reliability.

“This achievement is a testament to our strong partnership with our customers, whose daily collaboration is vital in establishing new standards in train reliability.

“A huge congratulations to our dedicated maintenance teams, whose ‘continuous improvement’ mindset and digital maintenance solutions are breaking new ground in fleet performance.”

Lumo MD Martijn Gilbert added: “This Golden Spanner award is a real reflection of the exceptional efforts of our team and those of our partners at Hitachi. It highlights the strides we’ve made in setting new standards for reliability while pioneering sustainability goals to make rail even cleaner, greener and truly customer focussed.

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“Our focus remains on providing a dependable, eco-friendly service that meets the evolving needs of customers, and this prestigious recognition reinforces the value of the Lumo approach.”

The Golden Spanner awards are organised by Modern Railways and are the rail industry's most prestigious awards for fleet reliability.

Earlier this month Hitachi revealed it had finished tests on the UK’s first battery train capable of running on routes nationwide, while slashing emissions and cutting fuel costs by up to 50 per cent for operators.