(https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/~/media/images/home-page-graphics/avantiwelcome.jpg)
Avanti West Coast will be the name of the new InterCity West Coast rail franchise, FirstGroup and Trenitalia, the new operators reveal today.
Avanti is Italian for “Forward!” and reflects a mission to deliver an innovative railway service that is “ready for today and fit for the future”, according to the new operators.
FirstGroup and Trenitalia will, from 8 December 2019, take over the operation of InterCity West Coast rail services, paving the way for a more comfortable, reliable and greener service. The service will link London to cities and towns across England, North Wales and Scotland, serving as a “vital economic artery bringing cities and people closer together”.
The Avanti West Coast logo, created by design agency forpeople, is a bright orange triangle, symbolising the geographic extent of the 400-mile long route that serves cities like Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow as well as London and North Wales.
Under the new West Coast Partnership, First Trenitalia is committed to delivering a range of passenger enhancements for InterCity West Coast services and passengers will benefit from more trains, more seats, simplified fares and more frequent services. The 56 Pendolino trains will be completely refurbished with 25,000 brand new seats, more reliable Wi-Fi and improved catering. By 2022, there will be 263 more train services every week to more places and a fleet of new trains introduced.
Fares and ticket types will be simplified with mobile tickets and smartcards introduced. Stations will be improved with refreshed waiting rooms, better customer facilities, more car park spaces, and greater accessibility for those who need it. The Partnership will also pave the way for a new era in high speed rail in the UK in the coming years, working with HS2 Ltd and the Department for Transport.
The launch of Avanti West Coast will mark the end of Virgin Trains, which is the UK's longest running rail franchise.
Website launches 8th December: https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/
Surely Chiltern is the longest running rail franchise
Didn't virgin have some kind of rights over the pendolino design?
Quote from: Tony on November 28, 2019, 08:47:40 PM
Surely Chiltern is the longest running rail franchise
Yeah Chiltern is March 1996 whilst Virgin was 1997. Chiltern will be the longest ever franchise when it is due to finish in 2021 of 25 years
Quote from: Tony on November 28, 2019, 08:47:40 PM
Surely Chiltern is the longest running rail franchise
You might be right, I got that line from the Birmingham Mail website report, which isn't known for their 'factual accuracy'. :D
Quote from: Stu on November 28, 2019, 07:23:32 PM
Fares and ticket types will be simplified with mobile tickets and smartcards introduced. Stations will be improved with refreshed waiting rooms, better customer facilities, more car park spaces, and greater accessibility for those who need it. The Partnership will also pave the way for a new era in high speed rail in the UK in the coming years, working with HS2 Ltd and the Department for Transport.[/i]
The launch of Avanti West Coast will mark the end of Virgin Trains, which is the UK's longest running rail franchise.
Website launches 8th December: https://www.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/
Usually when they say simplified fares, they mean higher fares.
I thought Virgin Trains were still hoping to run services on the line?
Virgin have applied to operate Euston-Liverpool under open access arrangements, which is no doubt why the franchise bid promised a second hourly Euston-Liverpool service. That said on previous form Network Rail are quite likely to refuse both operator paths on performance grounds.
The current Chiltern franchise has ran since 2002 so technically the Virgin statement is correct. It's how you interpreted it.
VTWC started on 09/03/1997 and was due to expire in March 2012, but it was extended to December 2012.
The DfT awarded FirstGroup the franchise in August 2012 but due to flaws that award was cancelled.
In December 2012 Virgin was awarded a 23-month management contract to run the franchise until 09/11/2014, this was extended until 31/03/2017 and then extended until March 2019, with an option to extend it further to March 2020.
In August 2019 it was announced that the Inter-City West Coast franchise had been awarded to Avanti West Coast, so Virgin Trains will cease after 7 December 2019.
VT's franchise was 03/1997 to 12/2012 i.e. 15.5 years
VT's Management contract was 12/2012 to 12/2019 i.e. 7 years
So two different contracts totalling 22.5 years
Chiltern Railways 7 year franchise commenced on 21/07/1996 and expired early in 03/2002 i.e. 6.5 years
The new 20 year franchise started on 03/03/2002 to expire in 03/2022
So also two different contracts totalling 24 years (so far) with another 2 and bit years to go
Therefore Chiltern beats VT.
Quote from: mikestone on November 29, 2019, 10:26:05 PM
Virgin have applied to operate Euston-Liverpool under open access arrangements, which is no doubt why the franchise bid promised a second hourly Euston-Liverpool service. That said on previous form Network Rail are quite likely to refuse both operator paths on performance grounds.
What route would this proposed Virgin service take?
Sure I heard a rumour about another Walsall to London service a few months back, that wasn't WMR / LNWR operated.
Quote from: Westy on November 30, 2019, 06:37:11 PM
Sure I heard a rumour about another Walsall to London service a few months back, that wasn't WMR / LNWR operated.
It's one Avanti West Coast proposed as part of their franchise
hello we're Avanti West Coast signs have appeared plastered on walls and pillars at Stephenson Street entrance to New Street station in the colours of Stu' s notice below complete with triangle!
Quote from: the trainbasher on December 01, 2019, 01:17:12 AM
It's one Avanti West Coast proposed as part of their franchise
So this would have been the same service?
Would've been easier going Walsall to Scouseland!
Quote from: Westy on December 01, 2019, 12:22:49 PM
So this would have been the same service?
Would've been easier going Walsall to Scouseland!
It will be a faster service than the LNWR service. Probably be a direct service to Birmingham (doubt any of the intermediate stations would cope with a pendolino) then calling at international, Coventry, Rugby and Euston?
Neither will Walsall. Presumably it will be worked by one of the so far unannounced Voyager replacements, which there is presumably still a question mark over as regards tilt.
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It amuses me that on their website they refer to "unpopular Voyagers" - I suspect most passengers don't know the difference and may even prefer Voyagers because they have power sockets at every seat.
From 7th September Euston-Birmingham-Edinburgh trains start to run through again, but Glasgow services still generally terminate at Preston although three will run instead to/from Blackpool (assuming ther 15.43 departure from Euston is currently missing).
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The up morning and down evening Euston-Shrewsbury are re-instated.
390 132 has just come all the way from edge hill depot not in service to Birmingham new street to start a service (10:47) to London Euston, calling at, Birmingham international and Coventry ONLY. I assume a driver who brought it from edge hill will take it to London Euston then swap at London Euston and take another train to Liverpool lime street then maybe back to edge hill depot.
Quote from: Wba_lad on December 27, 2023, 11:22:31 AM390 132 has just come all the way from edge hill depot not in service to Birmingham new street to start a service (10:47) to London Euston, calling at, Birmingham international and Coventry ONLY. I assume a driver who brought it from edge hill will take it to London Euston then swap at London Euston and take another train to Liverpool lime street then maybe back to edge hill depot.
I very much doubt the driver carries on to London
Quote from: Tony on December 27, 2023, 11:32:45 AMI very much doubt the driver carries on to London
I wonder where he came off then, I've asked one of my mates who works for avanti I'll let you know what he says.
390130
Running 38 mins late from London Euston to Birmingham new street calling at Coventry, Birmingham international and Birmingham new street. This is due to train crew being delayed.
Update: train is now running 53 mins late, near rugby.
The 16:40 avanti west coast service from London Euston to Edinburgh calling at Coventry, Birmingham international, Birmingham new street, Sandwell and Dudley, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Crewe, Warrington bank Quay, Wigan north western, Preston, Lancaster, oxenholme Lake District, Carlisle, haymarket and Edinburgh has been partially cancelled due to flooding, the train will no longer call at Stafford, Crewe, warrington bank Quay, Wigan North western, Preston, Lancaster, Oxenholme Lake District, Carlisle, haymarket and Edinburgh and will terminate at Wolverhampton.
Multiple avanti services are running late due to one of the reasons, issues are all coming from up north beyond Preston, high winds and flooding are the two main problems at the moment and then some are late due to staffing issue, which is a cause from the high winds and flooding I've been told by a avanti staff.
Does anyone know when the new class 805 and class 807 come into service, i heard the the class 807s which are 7 coaches long i belive are going to be used on the london euston to liverpool lime street, i wonder if they will ever appear on the west midlands line, i think the class 805s are replacing the voyagers so will probably work london euston to shrewsbury via birmingham new street.
Excep
Quote from: Wba_lad on February 29, 2024, 06:04:39 PMDoes anyone know when the new class 805 and class 807 come into service, i heard the the class 807s which are 7 coaches long i belive are going to be used on the london euston to liverpool lime street, i wonder if they will ever appear on the west midlands line, i think the class 805s are replacing the voyagers so will probably work london euston to shrewsbury via birmingham new street.
Except the Shrewsbury to Euston service is finishing
Quote from: Tony on February 29, 2024, 06:14:02 PMExcepExcept the Shrewsbury to Euston service is finishing
Oh is it, i had a feeling it would be scrapped, with west midlands railway doing birmingham to shrewsbruy and also transport for wales i guess its not really needed. Plus i notice that avanti dont really run it much they cancel it between wolverhampton and shrewsbury quiet a lot and somtimes cancel it from birmingham new street and then both units when working as a pair go back to barton together instead of splitting. when is it going?
Quote from: Wba_lad on February 29, 2024, 06:24:44 PMOh is it, i had a feeling it would be scrapped, with west midlands railway doing birmingham to shrewsbruy and also transport for wales i guess its not really needed. Plus i notice that avanti dont really run it much they cancel it between wolverhampton and shrewsbury quiet a lot and somtimes cancel it from birmingham new street and then both units when working as a pair go back to barton together instead of splitting. when is it going?
Scrapped: Direct Shrewsbury-to-London rail service is to end | Shropshire Star (https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/transport/2024/02/22/direct-rail-service-to-capital-to-be-scrapped/)
QuoteOh is it, i had a feeling it would be scrapped, with west midlands railway doing birmingham to shrewsbruy and also transport for wales i guess its not really needed. Plus i notice that avanti dont really run it much they cancel it between wolverhampton and shrewsbury quiet a lot and somtimes cancel it from birmingham new street and then both units when working as a pair go back to barton together instead of splitting. when is it going?
WMR Shrewsburys going to 2tph from June. One via Stour Valley and one via bescot to serve Willenhall and darlo once open
Avanti could run the new 805's on that long proposed Walsall to London Euston service that would call run fast to New Street and then call at the usual Avanti Brum to London.
Quote from: BlackCountryBusSpotter on March 01, 2024, 10:43:06 AMAvanti could run the new 805's on that long proposed Walsall to London Euston service that would call run fast to New Street and then call at the usual Avanti Brum to London.
No they can't as they don't have access rights.
A separate company has applied to run Walsall to Euston services
Quote from: Tony on March 01, 2024, 12:22:28 PMNo they can't as they don't have access rights.
A separate company has applied to run Walsall to Euston services
Oh I thought it was Avanti my apologies
Quote from: BlackCountryBusSpotter on March 01, 2024, 03:37:04 PMOh I thought it was Avanti my apologies
See: https://wmbusphotos.com/forum/index.php?topic=6601.0
I was wondering if it might be this Monday as the 17.05 Euston-Blackpool (or its ECS moves from and to Oxley) isn't showing cancelled next week, but if it is it seems to be going to be a very low key launch.
(Until now It has been cancelled, well in advance, every day since it appeared in the timetable)
QuoteI was wondering if it might be this Monday as the 17.05 Euston-Blackpool (or its ECS moves from and to Oxley) isn't showing cancelled next week, but if it is it seems to be going to be a very low key launch.
(Until now It has been cancelled, well in advance, every day since it appeared in the timetable)
There's no 1705 EUS-BPN service showing anywhere.
It is in Real Time Trains but since I posted yesterday, has changed to CAN so either it was overlooked for next week, or perhaps it was intended/hoped to run it but in view of this past week's abysmal cancellation record they have thought better of it?
Just seen a 390 going down the Walsall to Wolverhampton Line today I assume there is engineering works on the Trent Valley Line there was last time I saw an Avanti going this way
Quote from: BlackCountryBusSpotter on March 10, 2024, 11:12:52 AMJust seen a 390 going down the Walsall to Wolverhampton Line today I assume there is engineering works on the Trent Valley Line there was last time I saw an Avanti going this way
Not Trent Valley line, It is just services from the North to Birmingham that are going that way
Quote from: Tony on March 10, 2024, 12:37:29 PMNot Trent Valley line, It is just services from the North to Birmingham that are going that way
Oh OK fair enough
No - Trent Valley line is blocked today.
221 114, 221 115 and 221 116 have now left avanti west coast, and are showing as being with Beacon rail, I have heard they will be joining crosscountry soon, they have had their avanti vinals removed.