HITACHI has confirmed to The RM that limiters are to be fitted to all Class 800, 801 and 802 trains, which will restrict them to a maximum speed of 200 kilometres per hour (124.274 miles per hour).
High Speed Trains set the standard for scheduled 125mph running in the late 1970s, a top speed which (albeit by a very small margin) will no longer be equalled by the trains which replaced them on the East Coast and Great Western Main Lines.
Precaution
A company spokesman said the limiters were being fitted as a precautionary measure following a “handful” of instances where 125mph had been exceeded.