Refurbished Pendolinos return following UK’s biggest train upgrade

Credit: Avanti West Coast

Avanti West Coast’s first refurbished Pendolino has returned to service after being transformed as part of the UK’s biggest train upgrade. The tilting, electric powered Pendolinos, or ‘Pendos’, are one of the most iconic train fleets in the UK, transforming train travel between some of Britain’s biggest cities when introduced nearly two decades ago in July 2002.

“The iconic Pendolino is back and better than ever before,” Wendy Morton, Minister for Rail, said. “This refurbished version of the classic fleet is a fantastic example of our cutting-edge rail network and how our railways are leading the way in creating a cleaner, more environmentally friendly and modern transport system.”

The £117 million upgrade programme was two years in the making and involved experts in technology, customer information and ergonomics. Customer improvements include 25,000 new, ergonomic Standard Class seats, the conversion of one First Class carriage on each of the 35 eleven-carriage Pendolinos to provide more than 2,000 extra Standard Class seats, the introduction of a new onboard shop, improved lighting and new interior carpets, greater use of technology with customer-friendly passenger information screens, additional luggage space in Standard Class, power points at every seat, new carpets throughout using sustainable British wool, refurbished toilets as well as new first and standard premium seats

“This investment has been one of the key promises to our customers and they will see a dramatic transformation of our well-loved fleet,” Phil Whittingham, Managing Director of Avanti West Coast, said.” The refurbished Pendolinos look and feel like new trains with state-of-the-art technology as well as brand new seats that promise best-in-class comfort.”

“We are delighted with the launch of the newly modernised Pendolino,” Peter Broadley, Managing Director of Services for Alstom, said. “Working closely with our partners at Avanti West Coast and Angel Trains, we have created something truly special for the customers travelling on the West Coast Mainline. We hope it secures the future of the Pendolinos on the West Coast for many years to come”.

A video detailing the changes to the refurbished Pendolino can be found below.