On 11.11.2024, Avanti West Coast’s GBP 350 million investment in its new Evero fleet reached a significant milestone: the inaugural commercial journey, operating on the Liverpool to London route:
The first trip
At 09:01, Evero 807001 departed from Liverpool Lime Street for its first return journey of the day, adding to the existing hourly service. These additional weekday departures are part of Avanti West Coast’s strategy to increase connectivity between Liverpool and London. In addition to serving Liverpool, the new seven-car trains, each with 451 seats, will also operate between London, the West Midlands, and Blackpool, with further service expansions planned in next month’s timetable update.
This follows last month’s inaugural Class 807 passenger service between London and Birmingham, building on the successful launch of the Class 805 Evero, which recently marked 150 days in service on the West Midlands, Chester, and North Wales routes.
A renewed fleet
Maintained at Alstom’s Oxley depot in the West Midlands, the 23-strong Evero fleet includes the 10 electric Class 807s as well as the 13 bi-mode Class 805s, which are replacing the Voyager trains – offering a greener alternative. They will work alongside the Pendolino trains, which have recently undergone the largest-ever fleet upgrade in the UK thanks to a GBP 117 million investment.
Hitachi manufactures the Evero fleet at its Newton Aycliffe facility in County Durham. Compared to its predecessor, the Evero fleet offers a quieter and more spacious experience. Customer enhancements include wireless device charging, upgraded Wi-Fi, increased seating capacity, and enhanced legroom due to an ergonomic design. Additional features include larger luggage racks and clearer, more readable real-time information screens.
The new trains also provide improved wheelchair spaces, marked by contrasting carpets and a prominent accessibility symbol to prevent luggage placement in these areas. Accessibility upgrades extend to redesigned toilets, and seats are now equipped with Braille and large print labels, further enhancing the experience for all passengers.
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