UK rail operator Avanti West Coast has celebrated the primary take a look at run to North Wales of its new bi-mode Hitachi trains with a journey from the West Midlands to Llandudno Junction.
The 2 Class 805 bi-mode trains travelled the route as a part of the primary stage of testing by Hitachi Rail earlier than they’re handed over to Avanti West Coast able to enter service subsequent yr.
First Rail industrial tasks director Phil Cameron mentioned: “Yesterday marked a significant milestone for the brand new fleet with its first take a look at run to Llandudno Junction.
“It will assist present very important data on the route and the fleet’s efficiency, to make sure the brand new trains are absolutely ready for after they enter into service subsequent yr.”
The brand new trains are a part of a £350m ($449m) mission to deliver ten seven-carriage electrical trains and 13 five-carriage bi-mode trains, which may swap between electrical and diesel energy, into the operator’s fleet.
The bi-mode trains examined this week will probably be used on the London to North Wales route, whereas the electrical trains will run between London, the West Midlands and Liverpool.
Additional testing is predicted on the Class 805 trains to verify their compatibility with the route and its infrastructure, together with the port terminus of Caergybi/Holyhead.
Cameron added: “Our funding within the new fleet will assist elevate the bar for rail travellers in North Wales and is a part of our wider dedication to remodel the client expertise and a extra sustainable operation.”
The take a look at run to North Wales follows the first take a look at run of the trains earlier this yr in February when the Class 805s accomplished a 560-mile spherical journey from Alstom’s Oxley depot in Wolverhampton to Glasgow Central station.
The brand new Hitachi trains will exchange Avanti’s Voyager trains and supply a 61% discount in carbon emissions as a part of the operator’s formidable aim to succeed in web zero by 2031.
Avanti celebrated success within the operating of its routes this yr when its contract was prolonged by six months in March after it was placed on a short-term contract in October 2022 with warnings to urgently enhance its service after extreme criticism about its operations.
