In brighter days past – Avanti West Coast promised new trains as part of its franchise commitment. Well, it seems the company is taking steps forward, with the first of the new trains now commencing mainline testing according to its owners, FirstGroup.
Avanti West Coast Hitachi Class 805 train on test at Preston Station – Image, FirstGroup.
The train that commenced testing is a Class 805 train based on the Intercity Express Train design that has been popular in the United Kingdom and manufactured by Hitachi.
The Class 805 bi-mode train, which can run under both electric and diesel power, undertook the 560-mile inaugural round trip from Alstom’s Oxley depot in Wolverhampton, from where the trains will be maintained after they enter service, to Glasgow Central.
This follows two months of successful dynamic testing at Network Rail’s Rail Innovation and Development Centre (RIDC) at Melton Mowbray. During their time in Leicestershire the train’s basic functionality was checked, including the pantograph (which provides the connection to the overhead electric wires), Wi-Fi, onboard CCTV, coupling capabilities when running as a pair and the emergency lighting. Additional noise testing was undertaken both on the train and at the lineside.
With the move from testing on a managed environment to testing on the mainline as the trains are tested at line speed (125mph), as they accumulate fault-free running on the network.
Passenger experience features will also be tested too, including passenger information, seat reservation system, multiple running (two trains coupled together) and selective door opening, which allows the trains to call at stations with shorter platforms.
What are the Class 805 trains replacing?
The new Class 805 trainsets will replace the Class 221 Bombardier Super Voyagers which were introduced by Virgin Trains in 2002. The train type is used by Avanti West Coast and Crosscoutry Trains on their services.
They will replace the Voyagers starting this year on routes from London to the Midlands, Chester, North Wales and the North-West, leading to a 61% cut in carbon emissions, according to FirstGroup.
In Quotes
Steve Whitewick, Head of Fleet Transition at Avanti West Coast, said:
“The new trains have certainly turned heads and the anticipation is building.
“It’s great to have the first two sets on the West Coast Main Line and we look forward to working with our partners to deliver a new fleet that will help deliver a step change in the travelling experience of our customers and colleagues.”
Jim Brewin, Chief Director of UK and Ireland for Hitachi Rail, said:
“Seeing British-built Avanti West Coast trains running on the West Coast Main Line is a massive step towards their entry into passenger service.
Everyone at Hitachi’s North-East factory is proud to see the next generation intercity trains leave the production line. The 700 strong factory workforce are keen to keep the new trains coming so we can help improve connectivity between the North West, Midlands and North Wales.”
23 trains to introduce – but Avanti has to survive issues to handle first…
It’s wonderful to see new trains being introduced at a time when other parts of the network are suffering cutbacks or ideas being thrown in the bin (see Great Western Railway’s Class 769 “non-entry into service” as a highlight).
However, Avanti has more eyes on it than it probably wants, with the company placed on a short-term operating contract, with an on-time and cancellation record that made it one of the worst operators in the country.
It’s also been a butt of jokes – like this one from JenOnTheMove.
It seems @JenOnTheMoveUK speaks the truth. #Avantinotonthemove pic.twitter.com/JKalHpWA3Y
— Kevin – Economy Class & Beyond (@EconomyBeyond) January 9, 2023
It’s also had deep cancellations to the point where their long-distance operation was down to one train an hour to most destinations – on an Intercity service connecting London to Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire, the West Midlands conurbation, Staffordshire, Cheshire, the North Western counties and Scotland.
And its lack of service has raised questions about its suitability at all levels – be it local, regional, or national governments, as well as at the Department for Transport and the Office of Rail Regulation.
One can hope that Avanti manages to survive and be able to introduce these new trains to the network.
However, the work remains cut out of Avanti West Coast and FirstGroup’s management.
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