Avanti West Coast Rolling Stock Updates

[BenW390Fan]

Just seen 5F00 go past from Widnes - Edge Hill

 

[Jamesrob637]

Gives me a good chance for a refurbished set on the 11th of January Manchester to London and the 13th of January return.

 

[317 forever]

Gives me a good chance for a refurbished set on the 11th of January Manchester to London and the 13th of January return.

On Friday 13th you will narrowly miss out on one, as that day is unlucky for some

 

[JakeMurphy]

390141 now out of Widnes, replaced with 390137

Are you sure it was 137? She seems to be back out today already unless it went in whilst 141 was in too

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Are you sure it was 137? She seems to be back out today already unless it went in whilst 141 was in too

Looking very closely at this video from two weeks ago:

I can see the little table lamps in first class windows so was definitely unrefurbished two weeks ago.

 

[AJDesiro]

Looking very closely at this video from two weeks ago:

I can see the little table lamps in first class windows so was definitely unrefurbished two weeks ago.

Also coach G is still labelled as first class. When Avanti released the press release for the beginning of 390 125's refurbishment, they did say that after the first few, each 11 car unit would take 2 weeks to refurbish (excl. vestibules since they're done at a different time), with a hope to accelerate the program and complete the 9 car units in 1 week. So it is credible that it may have already been refurbished.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Also coach G is still labelled as first class. When Avanti released the press release for the beginning of 390 125's refurbishment, they did say that after the first few, each 11 car unit would take 2 weeks to refurbish (excl. vestibules since they're done at a different time), with a hope to accelerate the program and complete the 9 car units in 1 week. So it is credible that it may have already been refurbished.

Yes, and that reminds me, even refurbished units still have First Class on the doors for SP. Must be very confusing for passengers.

 

[AJDesiro]

Yes, and that reminds me, even refurbished units still have First Class on the doors for SP. Must be very confusing for passengers.

Should help make it easy to get rid of SP in the future if Avanti lose the franchise in April. All SP has done is make first class much more expensive, I would happily see it gone in favor of a reduction in first class fares, you know it's bad when an Avanti seatfrog upgrade has a significantly higher bidding price than an LNER one.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Should help make it easy to get rid of SP in the future if Avanti lose the franchise in April. All SP has done is make first class much more expensive, I would happily see it gone in favor of a reduction in first class fares, you know it's bad when an Avanti seatfrog upgrade has a significantly higher bidding price than an LNER one.

Agreed.

 

[Huntergreed]

So it turns out that 390137 hasn’t been refurbished yet.

I got my information from Today’s Railways on twitter, which stated:

Pendolino refurbishment update: 390141 is being released from Widnes today, the 18th 11-car to be done - 390137 is due to be next. The full fleet of 56 units is due for completion during early 2024. Thanks to @AvantiWestCoast for the update

(https://twitter.com/todaysrailways/status/1606345554728030215?s=46&t=5bzCqTEL4r23gsMMobEkeA)

I apologise for not doing further research and publishing erroneous information! Does anyone know which set is in just now?

 

[SansHache]

I apologise for not doing further research and publishing erroneous information! Does anyone know which set is in just now?

I don't think a replacement unit for 390141 has gone into Widnes yet. I expect the next unit (possibly 390137) will arrive early next week.

 

[py_megapixel]

The new white LED displays in the doors appear not to light up until the train has almost come to a stop. I assume this is for energy saving purposes, and it still beats the old displays which were barely legible if there was bright light or you were looking from the wrong angle, but it must cause momentary confusion at stations when a train pulls in with all the displays blank

 

[Bletchleyite]

The new white LED displays in the doors appear not to light up until the train has almost come to a stop. I assume this is for energy saving purposes, and it still beats the old displays which were barely legible if there was bright light or you were looking from the wrong angle, but it must cause momentary confusion at stations when a train pulls in with all the displays blank

I am almost certain the old ones didn't either, unlike Voyagers where they are on all the time.

 

[voyagerdude220]

I am almost certain the old ones didn't either, unlike Voyagers where they are on all the time.

I remember many years ago randomly noticing this being the case when watching the Pendolinos being dragged over the Ribble Valley line. The screens on the Pendolinos were blank, whereas the exterior screens on 220/221s would constantly display information throughout the journey.

 

[SansHache]

390107 is the latest (19th) 11-car train to go into Widnes for refurbishment.

 

[Huntergreed]

At this rate, all 11-cars will be done by late summer this year.

In terms of the 9-cars, I’m presuming the standard to first ratio will remain the same?

 

[AJDesiro]

At this rate, all 11-cars will be done by late summer this year.

In terms of the 9-cars, I’m presuming the standard to first ratio will remain the same?

Yes, as per the National rail contract, the number of standard and first seats is expected to stay around the same. The Avanti press release also states this.

 

[py_megapixel]

I am almost certain the old ones didn't either, unlike Voyagers where they are on all the time.

Sorry yes - I'm confusing Pendolinos with Voyagers!

I don't think it's a major issue. (For what it's worth DB ICEs do this also and it doesn't seem to cause much of a problem).

 

[Jamesrob637]

Woohoo it looks like, barring a problem, I'll be on refurbished 390155 tonight.

 

[Mikey C]

Had my first ride in a refurbished unit this week in Standard, and yes I would agree with the consensus here that it's an improvement.

 

[Huntergreed]

390107 is out now, anyone know who’s in Widnes now?

 

[Triumph]

390107 is out now, anyone know who’s in Widnes now?

107 came back from Widnes on 14th January and was replaced with 126.

 

[800001]

The two 805s currently at Old Dalby, will move on Monday to Oxley for further testing.

 

[Jacob Porrett]

The two 805s currently at Old Dalby, will move on Monday to Oxley for further testing.

Is there a path yet?

 

[The_Train]

The two 805s currently at Old Dalby, will move on Monday to Oxley for further testing.

Is that mainline testing or on depot testing to begin with?

 

[800001]

Is that mainline testing or on depot testing to begin with?

no idea sorry, just told there moving there Monday.

 

[william.martin]

The two 805s currently at Old Dalby, will move on Monday to Oxley for further testing.

Wow, that's only a 20 min train ride from me, maybe if I get a chance I could have a look.

 

[800001]

Is that mainline testing or on depot testing to begin with?

Mainline testing on wcml north starts February 6th.

Update, 805001/003 depart Old Dalby at 08:50 to Oxley running under own power.

 

[Some guy]

Mainline testing on wcml north starts February 6th.

Update, 805001/003 depart Old Dalby at 08:50 to Oxley running under own power.

Where abouts on WCML north is that as far as Preston/Blackpool North

 

[Bald Rick]

Where abouts on WCML north is that as far as Preston/Blackpool North

Wolverhampton