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Avanti West Coast
Last edited by
railwayadam
• 3 weeks ago
vanti West Coast is the primary long-distance operator on the West Coast Main Line (WCML)
Founded
2019
Status
Active
Country
England
Also known as:
Avanti, First Trenitalia West Coast Rail Limited, West Coast Partnership (WCP)
Avanti West Coast is the primary long-distance operator on the West Coast Main Line (WCML), a critical artery often referred to by enthusiasts as the "Premier Line." A joint venture between FirstGroup (70%) and Italy’s Trenitalia (30%), the company manages high-speed services connecting London Euston to major hubs like Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and Glasgow. Operating one of the busiest mixed-traffic corridors in Europe, Avanti balances intense passenger demand with the complex technical requirements of a 400-mile network that serves as a gateway to the North and Scotland.
+2
The operator officially took the reins in December 2019, ending the 22-year tenure of Virgin Trains. The "Avanti" brand—meaning "Forward" in Italian—was launched with an ambition to modernize the West Coast Partnership. While the transition was initially hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent industrial and performance challenges, the franchise stabilized by 2023, securing a long-term contract. Today, it remains a central figure in the UK rail landscape, serving as the "shadow operator" for the eventual integration of High Speed 2 (HS2) services.
+3
For train enthusiasts, the highlight of the Avanti fleet remains the iconic Class 390 Pendolinos. These Alstom-built units utilize Fiat tilting technology to navigate the WCML’s curves at speeds up to 125 mph and recently underwent a massive interior refurbishment. In 2024, the company modernized its rolling stock further by phasing out the diesel-electric Class 221 Super Voyagers in favor of the new Hitachi "Evero" fleet. This £350m investment introduced the Class 805 bi-modes and Class 807 electric units, offering superior acceleration and a significant reduction in carbon emissions.
+2
The operator officially took the reins in December 2019, ending the 22-year tenure of Virgin Trains. The "Avanti" brand—meaning "Forward" in Italian—was launched with an ambition to modernize the West Coast Partnership. While the transition was initially hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent industrial and performance challenges, the franchise stabilized by 2023, securing a long-term contract. Today, it remains a central figure in the UK rail landscape, serving as the "shadow operator" for the eventual integration of High Speed 2 (HS2) services.
+3
For train enthusiasts, the highlight of the Avanti fleet remains the iconic Class 390 Pendolinos. These Alstom-built units utilize Fiat tilting technology to navigate the WCML’s curves at speeds up to 125 mph and recently underwent a massive interior refurbishment. In 2024, the company modernized its rolling stock further by phasing out the diesel-electric Class 221 Super Voyagers in favor of the new Hitachi "Evero" fleet. This £350m investment introduced the Class 805 bi-modes and Class 807 electric units, offering superior acceleration and a significant reduction in carbon emissions.
![43055 + 43046 HST on the Bath Christmas Pullman [Midland Pullman] 10/12/22](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/aLNEkwVxUCk/hqdefault.jpg?sqp=-oaymwEbCKgBEF5IVfKriqkDDggBFQAAiEIYAXABwAEG&rs=AOn4CLAYU6wVhmsiFgRgL_DaH-VNThObsw)
