Avanti West Coast has started a £117 million
project that will see all of the 56 Pendolino trains upgraded.
The trains have been operating on the route between
London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow, and Edinburgh for 20
years, previously under the Virgin Trains brand.
The company is adjusting the format of the trains as
part of the upgrade, changing one of the carriages on its longer trains
from first class to standard.
Existing 11-carriage trains have
589 seats, with 444 in standard and 145 in first & standard premium. Refurbished
Pendolinos will have 607 seats, with 508 in standard and 99 split across first and standard premium.
A
company spokesman said, “First class is a key part of our customer offer. We
will be launching an enhanced first class offer later this year that will be
available seven days per week.”
The refurbishment will also see the introduction of
a new café bar, greater use of technology with customer-friendly passenger
information screens, improved lighting and new interior carpets and powerpoints
at every seat.
The work is being carried out by manufacturer
Alstom at its new depot in Widnes.
The first refurbished train is due to re-enter
service in late 2021. The upgrade programme will run until February 2024 when
the last of the refurbished trains is expected to leave Widnes.