The Class 802s are broadly the same as the bi-mode trains produced for the Intercity Express Programme, and have been operated in a similar manner; they are run as electric trains wherever possible, and are equipped with diesel generator units identical to those on the Class 800. However, they are furnished with engines that have a higher operating power – per engine as opposed to GWR's 800s' original (since increased), along with the addition of larger fuel tanks; these enable the Class 802s to better handle the steeper gradients and extended running in diesel mode that has been anticipated on the lengthy non-electrified stretches on which they are typically operated. In August 2017, main-line testing of the Class 802 commenced in Somerset. They were due to be introduced on 16 July 2018. On 17 August 2018, a demonstration run for invited guests from Penzance to Exeter St Davids was conducted. During the following day, the first two units (802 006 and 802 007) entered traffic, conducting a to service. The same units were first used in passenger service in Cornwall on 20 August 2018, on a service from London Paddington to and return. By May 2019, all 36 of the sets had entered service, which allowed them to finish replacing the remaining
InterCity 125 sets, alongside the Class 800 units. In December 2020, it was announced that Hitachi and the
Eversholt Rail Group would replace one under-floor diesel engine on each of the 22 five-car 802/0 sets with a battery, converting the units to a tri-mode multiple unit. As a result, pollution and noise levels will be reduced and fuel savings of up to 20% are expected to be achieved. In April 2022, new sidings in Penzance to better facilitate the operation of GWR's nine-car Class 802 sets to Cornwall were announced. In April 2023, it was announced that all 36 units would be maintained at the
Laira Traction and Rolling Stock Maintenance Depot in Plymouth.
TransPennine Express Class 802s pass each other at .|right In March 2016, the train operator
First TransPennine Express announced the awarding of a contract to Hitachi Rail Europe and leasing company Angel Trains for the supply of 19 five-car Class 802 sets, which would be primarily operated on the North Transpennine route between Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh. It had been ordered as one part of plans to bolster route capacity by 80%. According to Robin Davis, TPE's Head of New Trains, a major rationale behind the Nova 1 fleet was its bi-mode capability, noting that electrification ambitions often had much uncertainty, while a bi-mode fleet eliminated the operational risk to such uncertainty. they were officially re-designated as Class 802/2 prior to the delivery of the first unit. During December 2017, it was announced that production of the first unit for the operator had begun. In July 2018, testing of the type commenced on the
East Coast Main Line. TransPennine Express has branded its new overall fleet
Nova, each of the new types being designated either '1', '2' or '3' - the Class 802s being called
Nova 1. As per the original schedule, the fleet was due to enter service from summer 2019. On 28 September 2019, the first
Nova 1 entered revenue-earning service; unit 802201 worked the 06:03 from Newcastle to Liverpool Lime Street as well as the return 09:25 service. Clearance for the service had only been received the evening beforehand. Regular scheduled working commenced shortly thereafter. During October 2021, it was announced that TransPennine Express, Hitachi, and
Angel Trains had agreed to convert one of the former's
Nova 1 trainsets into a battery hybrid train on a trial basis with the aim of supporting the technology's further development. If successful, Hitachi and Angel Trains have proposed the retrofitting of the entire fleet. In January 2022, reports emerged that the Nova 1 fleet was operating under diesel power even when operating on entirely electrified sections of the East Coast Main Line on account of the insufficient power supplies present along the line; national railway infrastructure owner
Network Rail is reportedly set to complete upgrades to the power supplies within two years. The fleet is also set to benefit from the rollout of electrification under the Transpennine route upgrade scheme. The company's management has noted that, in the event of largescale electrification being funded and implemented, the Class 802s could have some of their engines removed to reduce roughly 15% of their weight and thus raise their efficiency. Furthermore, Leo Goodwin, former TPE managing director, has observed that while the Class 802s have an initial maximum speed of , they have the capability of being modified for operating at if infrastructure upgrades were to permit such speeds at a future date. On 24 May 2024, one
Nova 1 unit was converted to a tri-mode train by replacing one of the engines with a battery pack supplied by Turntide Technologies.
Hull Trains Class 802 at in 2024. During November 2016, the
open-access operator Hull Trains announced the signing of a £60million deal to procure five five-car AT300 sets, which it would to replace its existing fleet of
Alstom-built diesel multiple units on its Hull to London service. The first Class 802 body shell was completed at the Kasado plant in August 2018. During August 2019, the company's drivers commenced training using trains already delivered to TransPennine Express. In the same month, Hull Trains announced that its new train would be known as the
Paragon, named after . This unit participated in the official launch of the
Paragon fleet on 25 November, at which the full livery was unveiled at Hull station. On 5 December 2019, the first Class 802 officially entered service, working the 10:33 Hull to London King's Cross along with the 13:48 return. Hull Trains have configured their Class 802 units so that coach A contains standard seating with wheelchair accommodation, coach B and coach C are both standard seating, coach D is both standard- and first-class seating and Coach E is completely first-class seating with wheelchair accommodation. As a reported result of customer requests, the Class 802s do not have a cafe bar, unlike their Class 180 predecessors. Following the introduction of the Class 802 units, the surplus Class 180 units were transferred in stages to
East Midlands Railway to replace EMR's three six-carriage HSTs inherited from
Grand Central. ==Fleet details==