First upgraded Pendolino trains back on track as part of Avanti West Coast refurbishment programme

The first refurbished Pendolino train has re-entered service connecting North-west England with London as train operator Avanti West Coast progresses with a multi-million pound upgrade of its rolling stock.

Customers onboard Monday’s 05:05 Manchester Piccadilly to London Euston (calling at Stockport at 05:11) service were the first to travel on the upgraded Pendolino. The new trains have been revamped with updated interiors and improved passenger information after twenty years since the first electric-powered tilting Pendolino trains were first introduced on the UK rail network.

Improvements being delivered on West Coast Mainline services operated by Avanti include:

• Additional 25,000 Standard Class seats, including 35 First Class carriages being converted to Standard Class.
• Improved lighting and new interior carpets using sustainable British wool.
• Greater use of technology with customer-friendly passenger information screens.
• Additional luggage space, and power points at every seat, including new wireless charging points.
• Refurbished toilets
• New First and Standard Premium seat
• New onboard shop

The refurbishment of the first train forms part of a £117 million upgrade programme being delivered by Avanti West Coast to improve passenger experience, and is the largest investment of its kind undertaken in the UK.

Rail Minister Wendy Morton said:

“The iconic Pendolino is back and better than ever before. This refurbished version of the classic fleet is a fantastic example of our cutting-edge rail network and how our railways are leading the way in creating a cleaner, more environmentally friendly and modern transport system.”

Managing Director of Avanti West Coast, Phil Whittingham, said:

“This investment has been one of the key promises to our customers and they will see a dramatic transformation of our well-loved fleet. The refurbished Pendolinos look and feel like new trains with state of the art technology as well as brand new seats that promise best-in-class comfort.”

With work on the first train complete, the second is due to re-enter service in early May, with all 56 Pendolino trains on the West Coast Mainline to be upgraded by 2024, after 20 years service and a collective 270 million miles travelled.

UK suppliers are benefitting from 80% of the £117m investment, including rail manufacturer Alstom: the investment has secured over 100 jobs at its Widnes depot where work is being carried out. Peter Broadley, Managing Director Services, Alstom said:

“We are delighted with the launch of the newly modernised Pendolino. Working closely with our partners at Avanti West Coast and Angel Trains, we have created something truly special for the customers travelling on the West Coast Mainline. Our team at Widnes have created something amazing and we are incredibly proud of the final product. We hope it secures the future of the Pendolinos on the West Coast for many years to come”.

Work has been financed by rail sector asset management specialists, Angel Trains; CEO Michael Brown said:

“We are delighted to see the first of our new refurbished Pendolino trains re-enter passenger service. As one of the UK’s most iconic fleets, this project demonstrates how, through sustainable methods, existing trains can be renovated to provide a top-tier passenger experience. It has been a pleasure to collaborate with our industry partners to deliver a fast, comfortable, and low carbon mode of transport for passengers on the West Coast Mainline.”