Union Calls for Aurora Trains to be Withdrawn as Strike Confirmed
Written by HFM News on 22nd July 2026
A dispute over the safety of East Midlands Railway’s new Aurora trains has escalated, with the RMT union announcing strike action and demanding the fleet is withdrawn from service until ongoing faults are resolved.
RMT members will walk out on Saturday 1 August, Saturday 8 August and Saturday 15 August, claiming the operator has continued running the trains despite persistent reliability issues.
The union claims some trains have required a full system reset after entering service, which it says has temporarily left them without active safety systems, including communication links between train drivers, dispatchers and trackside staff. The union says this has happened on at least three occasions in the past week.
EMR said any suggestion that the new fleet does not meet required safety standards is “incorrect”.
One of the new Aurora trains at Market Harborough Railway Station. Pic: Steve Jones
RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said union representatives had tried to work with the company to resolve the issues.
He said: “RMT reps at EMR have been extremely patient and tried to engage with management to no avail.
“The company has even put out safety notices with no involvement, consultation or negotiation with our reps who represent those most at risk.
“RMT is demanding that whilst these faults exist and until these trains are shown to be operating properly, they should be taken out of service.”
The company said the trains entered passenger service only after successfully completing all required testing and meeting rigorous safety standards set by the independent regulator.
An EMR spokesperson said: “We recognise the Class 810 fleet has encountered performance and reliability issues in service and are working with the manufacturer, Hitachi Rail, to resolve these issues as quickly as possible.”
They added that EMR continues to engage in discussions with the RMT regarding the dispute.
The planned strikes are expected to affect passengers using EMR services, including those travelling from Market Harborough.
The action comes after EMR recently introduced a reduced timetable across its Intercity network while it works with Hitachi Rail to improve the reliability of both its new Class 810 Aurora trains and its older Class 222 fleet.
