The Class 805 Evero fleet, manufactured by Hitachi Rail for the British operator Avanti West Coast, has surpassed the 5 million-mile mark—equivalent to approximately 8 million kilometers—on the West Coast Main Line. The trains, which can run on both electric and diesel power, entered service in June 2024 and are primarily used between London and North Wales.
The trains began carrying passengers in June 2024 and make up half of the intercity operator’s Evero fleet. This includes 13 Class 805 dual-mode trains, which can run on both electric and diesel power, and 10 Class 807 electric trains.
The fleet was introduced as part of Avanti West Coast’s plan to increase the number of services in its timetable. In the case of the Evero trains, their introduction also supports the operator’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2031.
Electric on two-thirds of the London–Holyhead route
The trains operate primarily on the Avanti West Coast route between London and North Wales, including to Holyhead.
Thanks to bi-mode technology, nearly two-thirds of the journey between the British capital and Holyhead can be powered by electricity. The switch from electric power to the diesel engine occurs after the trains depart from Crewe, as the remainder of the route along the north coast of Wales is not electrified.
Prior to the introduction of the new fleet, the London–North Wales route was operated by Class 221 trains, which ran exclusively on diesel.
According to Avanti West Coast, in the year ending in April 2026, the Class 805 fleet produced nearly two-thirds fewer carbon emissions per vehicle-km than the previous model in the preceding year.
Also used on the Settle–Carlisle route
In addition to services to Holyhead and other destinations in North Wales, Class 805 trains also operate some services between London and the West Midlands.
In January and April 2026, Avanti West Coast utilized the trains’ diesel capability to maintain rail services via the historic Settle–Carlisle route while essential modernization work closed the West Coast Main Line between Preston and Carlisle.
On the days when traffic was diverted, Class 805 trains traveled 59,620 miles on the alternative route, or approximately 95,950 km.
The introduction of the Class 805 fleet also allowed for improved service between London and Chester. Since last September, Avanti West Coast has added two additional trains on every weekday, increasing frequency to one service per hour and improving connections to destinations along the route through North Wales.
More Seats and Improved Accessibility
Each Evero train has 5 cars and offers 16% more seats than the model it replaced.
Avanti West Coast says the new trains offer more legroom, more generous luggage space, and accessibility features, including Braille labels and large-print markings on the seats.
Owain Morgan, senior performance manager at Avanti West Coast, said that surpassing the 5 million-mile milestone is a significant moment for the fleet.
“Our Class 805 Evero fleet reaching the 5 million-mile milestone is a significant moment and a testament to both the fleet’s performance and the work of our colleagues, who strive constantly to ensure its reliability every day,” said Owain Morgan.
He added that the introduction of a new intercity fleet represented a major change for Avanti West Coast services and the passenger experience, particularly in communities across North Wales.
“Passengers now benefit from modern, comfortable trains designed around their needs. These improvements, along with better accessibility, onboard technology, and operational performance, help us deliver a higher-quality journey and support our ambition to provide the best possible experience for customers traveling on the West Coast,” the Avanti West Coast representative added.
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