Avanti West Coast’s Class 805 Evero fleet has reached a major milestone serving the West Coast Main Line by notching five million miles on the network.
Entering into passenger service in June 2024, the Class 805s make up half of the intercity operator’s Evero fleet, which comprises of 13 bi-mode (Class 805) and 10 electric (Class 807) trains. The fleet was introduced as part of Avanti’s commitment to increasing the number of services in its timetable and, for the Class 805s specifically, the operator’s goal of reaching net zero by 2031.
Predominantly operating on Avanti’s route between London and North Wales, the five million miles clocked up by the Class 805s – the equivalent distance to circling Earth 40 times – marks a major landmark in the fleet’s progress since its launch last year.
These miles also contribute towards a greener way of travelling for customers due to the bi-mode functionality installed on the trains, which allows for almost two thirds of the journey between the capital and Holyhead to operate using electric power. The seamless transition between this and diesel happens after services depart from Crewe, where the remainder of the route along the North Wales coast isn’t electrified.
Before the launch of the new fleet, the Class 221 model previously operated the route between London and North Wales, only running on diesel. In the year leading up to April 2026, the Class 805 fleet produced almost two-thirds less carbon per vehicle kilometre than its predecessor in the year before.
As well as serving Holyhead and other destinations in North Wales, the Class 805s operate some services between London and the West Midlands. In January and April this year, Avanti West Coast also utilised the diesel power functionality of the trains to allow for it to continue offering a rail service to customers via the historic Settle and Carlisle route, while essential upgrade work closed the West Coast Main Line between Preston and Carlisle. A total of 59,620 miles were completed along the diversionary route across the days of closure.
In addition, introducing the Class 805 fleet has allowed for Avanti West Coast to enhance its service between London and Chester, adding two additional services each weekday in September last year – increasing the service to hourly and boosting connectivity to destinations along the North Wales route.
The award-winning Class 805 fleet continues to offer customers a better travelling experience. Each five-carriage train offers 16 percent more seats than its predecessor, allowing for more customers to make journeys to popular destinations within North Wales. They offer more leg room, increased luggage space and industry-leading 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 credit: Avanti West Coast