Poll: Pendolino vs Evero: travel experiences and preferences?

[Sorcerer]

Today I had my first experience travelling on an Avanti West Coast Class 807 Evero between Liverpool and London, and on the return journey I travelled on a Class 390 Pendolino. I did this booking deliberately so I could get the experience of travelling on both units to see which I might've liked better.

The Evero was nice and more spacious than a Pendolino, which at first felt comparatively cramped on the return journey, and even the restriction to 110mph didn't really bother me that much since it didn't feel much different on the train itself. My phone might've slipped out to the side slightly but it wasn't exactly a white-knuckle ride going around corners.

That said, I think that my preference still lies with the Pendolino. While I do think it's a visually better and more iconic unit, that is just a personal preference, and all things considered it's more of a personal bias ingrained on me from childhood. The Evero is nice, but it's nothing truly special since it was merely meant as a secondary fleet, though I will gladly admit that it does this job perfectly, and I'm glad it has enabled extra Liverpool services.

But what do you all prefer? Do you think the Pendolino remains the superior product of the InterCity fleet on the West Coast Main Line, or has the Evero's trading of tilt and speed for extra space proven to be a turning point for you? I look forward to hearing your opinions below.

 

[Jamesrob637]

An Evero can run short if there's a failure. A Pendo can't. Evero just maybe. But haven't done one yet. Done plenty of other Hitachi trains though. GWR have hard seats, TPE less so. LNER aren't too bad either.

 

[m0ffy]

The Pendolino feels much smoother thanks to the tilt mechanism. That’s the winner for me.

 

[FrontSideBus]

Pendo. Smooth ride and I actually like the narrow windows, almost gives it an aeroplane cabin feel to it.
It says it all how a 20+ year old train can still compete with a brand new one!
IMO, the Evero's are among the better 800's since they actually use decent seats. Just a shame there are no readings lights at the tables!

 

[D365]

An Evero can run short if there's a failure.

I wasn't aware that the Class 807s (seven car) run in multiple.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Pendolino hands down. Every time. Night and day. Chalk and cheese.

 

[Mag_seven]

Which WCML InterCity rolling stock do you prefer?

Class 87 and rake of Mark 3 coaches.

 

[Peter0124]

I wasn't aware that the Class 807s (seven car) run in multiple.

The 805s do normally

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

An Evero can run short if there's a failure. A Pendo can't. Evero just maybe. But haven't done one yet. Done plenty of other Hitachi trains though. GWR have hard seats, TPE less so. LNER aren't too bad either.

Bi-mode 805s can run off the wires or if they are down but straight EMU 807s can't.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

An Evero can run short if there's a failure. A Pendo can't.

Says a lot about our railways when your preference between two trains depends on their ability to cope with a failure. How about your opinion when both trains are working as they should be?

 

[Class15]

Class 87 and rake of Mark 3 coaches.

I agree entirely! What a shame that’s not an option on the poll

 

[43096]

Class 87 and rake of Mark 3 coaches.

Is the correct answer!

 

[D365]

The 805s do normally

Have 805 + 807 consists (i.e. 12 cars) ever operated in passenger service, or is 10 cars a hard limit for platform lengths?

Says a lot about our railways when your preference between two trains depends on their ability to cope with a failure.

Is that not a valid opinion? Modern rolling stock is typically designed with some level of redundancy in the event of loss of traction power.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Have 805 + 807 consists (i.e. 12 cars) ever operated in passenger service, or is 10 cars a hard limit for platform lengths?

They have 26m carriages so it’d be about the length of a sixteen carriage 350, or just under.

Is that not a valid opinion? Modern rolling stock is typically designed with some level of redundancy in the event of loss of traction power.

I didn’t say it wasn’t a valid opinion, but when you have to put aside (to some extent) how you feel about the actual passenger experience of travelling on a train and make a judgement based on what might happen if the train fails, it says a lot - aka, that our trains fail at a very high rate.

It would definitely be a good point for if we’re asking what is the better train, but we’re not. Asking which you think is the better train, and which train you prefer, are two very separate questions.

 

[D1511]

Given that my water bottle stays still on the 390 and it slides across the table on a 807, my votes for the Pendo everytime......since a 81 with a rake of corridor Mk1s wasn't one of the options!
Seriously though, I use both every journey......Evero on the MKC CRE section and Pendo on the CRE EDI leg, and I can't wait for the Pendo to roll in. Only downside is the panto "clunks" in coach H

 

[vuzzeho]

I like the Pendolinos more. Maybe nostalgia, but I find the Everos noticeably slower (I mostly ride between Euston and MKC) and that kinda annoys me. Also, I like the ambiance on the 390s more - the Everos are very nice but the Pendos take it. I also love the tilting of the 390s. That said, I like the more spacious Everos and their reading lights (not that I've ever actually used them...). But the tilting Pendolinos are so nice (and fast) on the WCML that they'll take it for me. I hope whatever replaces them (in many years' time) is as good, and tilts.

 

[superalbs]

Pendolino, very easy choice to be honest.

 

[AlterEgo]

Pendolino is the best intercity stock on the railway at the moment. LNER’s 225 sets excepted. It’s not close.

 

[Skie]

807s for me

The 390s are a bit tired, with dodgy aircon, terrible mobile signals and still have a bog pong. I’ve done enough late night journeys on them to get fed up of the cramped environment.

The Evero might have a harsher ride compared, but for just pure comfort and usability they’re miles better. The big windows and more tables (together, which is good for groups) make them more pleasant.

 

[FrontSideBus]

What about a Class 47 and Mk2F's?

The thing about the 805 being able to run when the power goes off is a bit of a moot point when chances are the trains on the same section of track can't so will be blocked anyway?

Will Pendo's ever be allowed to run at 140mph?

 

[stadler]

I find the 805s and 807s to be miles better. They are a huge improvement. I am not the biggest fan of IETs but compared to Pendolinos i see them as a big upgrade. They have a nicer interior and ambiance.

The 390s are horrible cramped and poorly designed trains. They feel cramped inside and they have those horrible small windows. I have always hated travelling on them. I find even the 220s and 221s are nicer.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Pendolino is the best intercity stock on the railway at the moment. LNER’s 225 sets excepted. It’s not close.

Agreed on those two. I’d give Pendolino no. 1 (I’d say it’s the UK’s flagship train, giving the primary service to Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, Liverpool, The Lakes and the Black Country from London) and IC225 no. 2. in terms of best UK IC stock.

 

[19Gnasher69]

Has to be the 805s/807s. I’ve never even been on an Evero but know it will be a more pleasurable experience than a class 390. The latter is a truly awful train - in my opinion the worst inter-city train of the past god knows how many decades and echo Stadler’s comments above. I always use TPE on the northern WCML and, thankfully, I can now avoid 390s on the southern section. I really can’t understand the liking for them but each to their own.

 

[Russel]

Depends on if Avanti have the heating set to "slow cook" on the Everos as soon as the temperature drops below about 18 degree as they do on the Pendolinos...

 

[Jamesrob637]

Class 87 and rake of Mark 3 coaches.

Can show you a video of my Lima/Hornby set!

 

[Jamesrob637]

They have 26m carriages so it’d be about the length of a sixteen carriage 350, or just under.

I didn’t say it wasn’t a valid opinion, but when you have to put aside (to some extent) how you feel about the actual passenger experience of travelling on a train and make a judgement based on what might happen if the train fails, it says a lot - aka, that our trains fail at a very high rate.

It would definitely be a good point for if we’re asking what is the better train, but we’re not. Asking which you think is the better train, and which train you prefer, are two very separate questions.

A post-refurb Pendo is very good but the original interior was very dated even in the 10s, let alone just after Covid.

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

A post-refurb Pendo is very good but the original interior was very dated even in the 10s, let alone just after Covid.

Matter of opinion. I completely disagree. What was dated, was the East Midlands Trains HST interior. And the Greater Anglia MK3.

 

[Russel]

Matter of opinion. I completely disagree. What was dated, was the East Midlands Trains HST interior. And the Greater Anglia MK3.

It's hard to believe the Virgin interior is now 20+ years old, it's aged well.

If you look past the dirt and shabbiness of the Cross Country Voyagrers, the design it's self still feels modern, yet isn't lit up like a dental surgery, I like it.

 

[satisnek]

OK, you've twisted my arm and I've voted for Evero even though I'm not a big Avanti user and will readily admit to belonging in the "all modern trains are the same" camp. My only experience so far was an 807 COV - BHM a couple of months back but yes, the interior is more spacious, it's more like a 'proper' train and it's a refreshing break from that Branson airline stigma which the 390s will carry until their withdrawal.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Matter of opinion. I completely disagree. What was dated, was the East Midlands Trains HST interior. And the Greater Anglia MK3.

Love the old HST seats: don't diss! But some "larger" people might struggle with the fixed armrests.

evero is a silly name compared to Pendolino though? At least with Pendolino you think of pendulum.

However, until I do a proper journey on the Evergreen or whatever it's called, I'm undecided in the interest of fairness.