Avanti Class 805 Evero Fleet Hits Five Million Miles On West Coast Main Line

Avanti West Coast’s Class 805 Evero trains have passed five million miles in service, marking a significant point in the rollout of the operator’s newer intercity fleet on the West Coast Main Line.

The bi-mode trains entered passenger use in June 2024 and form part of Avanti’s wider Evero fleet, made up of 13 Class 805 bi-mode units and 10 Class 807 electric trains. Their introduction was linked to Avanti West Coast’s plans to strengthen its timetable, while the Class 805s also form part of the operator’s ambition to reach net zero by 2031.

Most commonly seen on services between London and North Wales, the Class 805 fleet has now covered a distance equivalent to circling the Earth 40 times. The milestone comes less than two years after the trains began carrying passengers.

A key part of the Class 805 operation is its ability to run on both electric and diesel power. On the London to Holyhead route, almost two thirds of the journey can be made using electric power, with the change to diesel taking place after services leave Crewe. The section onward along the North Wales coast is not electrified.

Before the new fleet was introduced, the London to North Wales route was served by Class 221 trains, which operated only on diesel. According to Avanti West Coast, in the year leading up to April 2026 the Class 805s produced almost two-thirds less carbon per vehicle kilometre than the Class 221 fleet did in the year before.

The trains are used on services to Holyhead and other North Wales destinations, as well as selected routes between London and the West Midlands. Their diesel capability has also given Avanti more flexibility during disruption and engineering work. In January and April this year, the operator used the Class 805s to keep services running via the Settle and Carlisle route while the West Coast Main Line was closed between Preston and Carlisle for essential upgrade work.

Across those diversionary periods, the Class 805 fleet completed 59,620 miles over the Settle and Carlisle route.

Avanti West Coast has also credited the new trains with helping to improve its Chester service. In September last year, two additional weekday services were added between London and Chester, increasing the route to an hourly service and improving links along the North Wales corridor.

For passengers, the Class 805s were introduced with a focus on extra capacity and improved onboard facilities. Each five-car train has 16 percent more seats than the Class 221 units it replaced, along with more leg room, additional luggage space and accessibility features including Braille and large print labels on seats.

Owain Morgan, Senior Performance Manager at Avanti West Coast, said:

"The achievement of five million miles by our Class 805 Evero fleet is a significant milestone and testament to both the performance of the fleet and our colleagues who work tirelessly to ensure their reliability each and every day. The introduction of a brand-new intercity fleet across our network has represented a real step change in both the service we offer and customer experience, particularly for communities across North Wales. Passengers are now benefiting from modern, comfortable trains designed around their needs. These enhancements, combined with improved accessibility, onboard technology and operational performance, are helping us provide a higher-quality journey and support our ambition to deliver the best possible experience for customers travelling across the West Coast."

Image: Avanti West Coast