In line with other train operators yesterday, Sunday, 2nd June, train operator Avanti West Coast launched its new summer timetable, but as well as adding extra services on some routes, it introduced the first of a fleet of 23 new trains.
Built by Hitachi at its factory at Newton Aycliffe in County Durham, the new trains have been named Evero to distinguish them from the Pendolinos and Voyagers currently operating Avanti West Coast’s services.
A total of 23 new trains will be introduced, with ten of the trains designated as Class 807, have seven carriages, and are fully electric.
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The remaining 13 trains are designated as Class 805, have five carriages, and are bi-mode, meaning that they also have a diesel engine so they can operate over non-electrified lines.
They also have 299 seats, 16 percent more than the Voyager trains that previously operated Avanti’s non-electrified services.
At first, the new trains will operate services from London to the Midlands, Chester, and North Wales. As more new trains are delivered, they will also operate on services in the North West.
To coincide with the new June timetable, extra services have been added to the London to Birmingham route on weekdays and Saturdays.
Alstom’s Oxley depot at Wolverhampton will have responsibility for maintaining the new £350m fleet which will operate alongside the current Pendolino trains.
The Pendolino fleet has recently received a £117m upgrade, the largest ever upgrade of a train fleet in the UK.
The introduction of our new timetable and the Evero fleet marks an exciting new chapter for our people and customers.
The investment is also a key part of our plans to support the UK rail industry, and our wider commitment to improve customer experience on the West Coast Main Line.
Andy Mellors, Managing Director of Avanti West Coast
Responses
I’m pretty sure that 2x Class 805 5-Car would work on the London Euston-Holyhead, Llandudno, Chester and Bangor. And the Class 807 7-Car once they have entered service would operate to Liverpool Lime Street and Blackpool North.
They need them to tilt to go at full speed
The Class 805 and Class 807 aren’t tilting trains. It’s the same with LNER Class 800 and Class 801, GWR Class 800 and Class 802, Hull Trains Class 802, TPE Class 802 and Lumo Class 803.
Had an Avanti experience on Sunday with one of these new trains going to London… How was it : Seat Reservations not working, WiFi not working, disabled toilet in the 1st class carriage not working and no hot drinks or any food.
Oh great, another fleet of uncomfortable Hitachi trains with “not fit for purpose” cycle spaces.
The problem in the area of Transport for Wales is not the trains which are now good. The problem is the poor tracks. They give passengers an appalling quality of ride. The tracks obviously need more maintenance (maybe replacing would be a good idea). The trains are moving in a very bumpy up-and-down motion. There is no way anyone could safely have a hot drink with no spillage.
Transport for wales, run 2 carriages even at Easter, and mayday holidays. People are crammed on to them. They are death traps.
The Class 805 Evero are very nice trains and it’s good to see them in service. However I think that there is going to be a major problem with these new trains is overcrowding. But overall it’s nice to see them in service.
Only five carriages!
That’s not enough for the summer season. They will be severely overcrowded.
There was a time when summer Saturday trains ran with 12 carriages from all over the UK.
Cattle trains are the preferred mode now
Based on the number ordered I think they will double up to 10 coaches.
What is that woman holding the bat up doing. Curved track can she see round bends
It’s platform 12 at Crewe and there’ll be another person further along it giving the okay. The timing and viewpoint of the photo was possibly unfortunate as it makes it appear there’s nobody there.