Avanti West Coast bids farewell to the Super Voyager
Avanti West Coast's Super Voyager trains bow out of service as the new Evero fleet is rolled out.
- New timetable marks end of Super Voyager’s 22-year service on the West Coast Main Line
- Over one hundred million miles travelled in England, Wales and Scotland
- Trains replaced by Avanti West Coast’s new £350m Evero fleet
Avanti West Coast has bid farewell to its Class 221 Super Voyager train after 22 years’ service on the West Coast Main Line.
Introduced in 2002, the fleet amassed over 109 million miles whilst serving routes from London to the West Midlands, North Wales, Blackpool and Scotland.
Famous for their tilt capabilities, sets 221105 and 221106 had the honour of working the last train on Saturday 14 December - the 18:16 from London Euston to Birmingham New Street. Both trains then made their way to Alstom’s Central Rivers depot in Burton-upon-Trent - where the fleet has been maintained since its first day on the west coast.
The change coincided with the introduction of Avanti West Coast’s enhanced December timetable, which has seen the rollout of the £350 million Evero fleet - with the new trains due to run around a third of all services.
Stacy Thundercliffe, Head of Fleet and Engineering at Avanti West Coast, said: “The Class 221 Super Voyagers have played a key part in the transformation of long-distance services on the West Coast Main Line.
“A true workhorse, ably cared for by the team at Central Rivers depot. We owe both the train and Alstom our thanks and now look forward to the next exciting chapter for rolling stock on the west coast route with the introduction of our Evero fleet.”
To mark the end of the Super Voyager’s time on the west coast, Avanti West Coast Driver Team Manager and resident poet, Eamonn Holmes, penned a poem:
ENDS
Contact Information
Notes to editors
Main pic: Super Voyager passes Conwy Castle on the North Wales Coast service from Holyhead to London Euston.
About Avanti West Coast
Avanti West Coast, operator of intercity rail services on the West Coast Main Line, is a joint venture between FirstGroup and Trenitalia, delivering a cleaner, greener railway that drives the West Coast forward.
We’re on a mission to revolutionise train travel. Our refurbed Pendolinos returned to the rails in June 2024 following a £117m investment programme that’s delivered the best in class comfort. Known as the UK’s hardest working fleet, all 56 of these iconic trains have been transformed and now boast better seats, improved lighting, new interior carpets, customer-friendly passenger information screens, additional luggage space, power points at every seat and refurbished toilets.
Our new Evero fleet was introduced in June 2024 and will replace our Voyagers. Built by Hitachi, the 23-strong fleet, consisting of 10 seven-carriage electric trains and 13 five-carriage bi-modes, will serve routes from London to the Midlands, Chester, North Wales and the North West, leading to a substantial cut in carbon emissions with an increase in seats, and offering improved comfort. Quieter and roomier, with more reliable Wi-Fi, wireless charging for electrical devices and a real-time customer information system, these new trains are the result of a £350m investment in sustainable travel.
We’re tackling climate change wherever we can, from reducing energy and water use to training drivers in eco-driving techniques and sourcing food and drink from local suppliers. Our goal is to be net zero carbon by 2031. We’re on track.
For the latest news, visit the Avanti West Coast Media Centre: https://newsdesk.avantiwestcoast.co.uk/
Press Office: 0845 000 3333
About Alstom
With 37 locations and 6,000 employees, Alstom is the UK and Ireland’s leading supplier of new trains and train services, and a leading signalling and rail infrastructure provider. Alstom have built, or are building, just under 40 per cent of the UK mainline train fleet; as well as the entire fleets in service with London Underground and Dublin Luas. Half of all UK rail journeys are made on an Alstom train, while its portfolio of smart products is the widest on the market.
For more information, please visit www.alstom.com/alstom-uk-and-ireland.