In the second installment of our series, we’re looking at the operator responsible for the West Coast Main Line (WCML). Connecting London Euston to Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and Glasgow, Avanti West Coast is the “expressway” of the UK rail network.
After a rocky period of performance issues and short-term contracts, Avanti is now operating under a long-term National Rail Contract (running until at least 2026, with options to 2032) and is finally rolling out the hardware passengers have been waiting for.
The Fleet: Iconic Tilters & New Challengers
Avanti’s fleet is currently undergoing its biggest shake-up since the early 2000s.
The Pendolino (Class 390): These are the famous “tilting” trains that allow for high speeds on the WCML’s many curves. The entire fleet of 56 trains recently completed a £117m refurbishment, featuring brand-new seats, power sockets at every seat, and a much-improved onboard shop.
The Evero (Class 805/807): The newest members of the family. These Hitachi-built trains are replacing the old diesel Voyagers.
Class 805: Bi-mode (electric and diesel) for routes like North Wales.
Class 807: Fully electric units designed for the London–Liverpool and West Midlands routes.
Capacity Boost: In late 2025, Avanti hit a milestone by offering over 20,000 extra seats per week thanks to these new trains.
A Record-Breaking Timetable
As of early 2026, Avanti is running more services than ever before in its history.
London to Liverpool: Now consistently a half-hourly service for most of the day.
Direct Links: New stops at Liverpool South Parkway have opened up easy rail-to-air connections for Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
The “Shadow Operator” for HS2
One thing many people don’t realise is that Avanti (as part of the West Coast Partnership) isn’t just running today’s trains they are the “Shadow Operator” for HS2. This means they are working behind the scenes to design the high-speed services of the future, ensuring that today’s West Coast Main Line integrates perfectly with the new high-speed infrastructure being built.
Onboard Experience: Standard Premium?
Avanti introduced a unique “middle ground” in UK rail travel: Standard Premium.
It gives you the bigger, more comfortable First Class seats and extra legroom, but without the inclusive food and drink (and at a much lower price point).
For travelers who need to work on a laptop for two hours, it’s widely considered one of the best value upgrades in the country.
Pro Tip: If you’re traveling on a budget but want the upgrade, use the Seatfrog app. You can often bid for a Standard Premium or First Class seat for as little as £10–£15 just before departure.
Challenges and The Future
While cancellations have dropped significantly from the highs of 2022, Avanti still faces the challenge of managing one of the most congested routes in Europe. Looking ahead, the government has signaled that Avanti will likely be one of the final TOCs to transition into the new “Great British Railways” public ownership model, expected toward the end of 2027.
Have you tried the new Evero trains yet? Drop a photo of your journey in the comments!
Next up in our TOC series: We’re moving to the East Coast to look at the “Azuma” kings LNER.
