15 Facts About Hull Trains

Hull Trains is an open-access railway operator in England owned by the multinational transport company FirstGroup.

Hull Trains was originally established in 1999 in the aftermath of the privatisation of British Rail in response to the low volume of trains between Hull and London King's Cross operated by the incumbent franchise.

Hull Trains initially ran three services per day, this was progressively expanded in response to passenger numbers to as many as seven services per day by December 2006.

Hull Trains initially operated a small fleet of three-car Class 170 Turbostar diesel multiple units ; six years later, it exchanged these for four-car Class 222 Pioneer DMUs, followed by several five-car Class 180 Adelante DMUs and InterCity 125 HST sets.

In Hull Trains' favour was the support of several prominent figures, including members of parliament, who were keen to support an initiative that would provide Hull with improved transportation.

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On 25 September 2000, Hull Trains officially launched its operations with its first service departing King's Cross station.

In June 2008, Hull Trains was rebranded as First Hull Trains, as well as adopting FirstGroup's corporate blue, pink and white colours as its livery.

At late March 2020, Hull Trains temporarily suspended all services due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hull Trains operates up to five daily return services between Hull and London King's Cross on weekdays and a twice-daily service between Beverley and King's Cross.

Hull Trains began operating three services per day on 25 September 2000.

In 2008, First Hull Trains applied for track access rights to run services between Harrogate and London King's Cross via York under the First Harrogate Trains banner and from Cleethorpes to King's Cross via Lincoln and Spalding.

When Hull Trains was initially established, one early obstacle was a shortage of viable rolling stock.

When Hull Trains commenced operations on 25 September 2000, it was exclusively operating a fleet of Class 170.

Class 180s enabled First Hull Trains to provide more capacity by its additional carriage, but when the units first arrived they were plagued by technical difficulties, and a period of poor reliability for the company followed.

However, First Hull Trains were able to improved reliability since their introduction.