The ‘Trackathon' saw guests asked to join in and propose suitable names for the new Hitachi Sets which will be coming into operation during 2023.
The trains which are currently being built at Hitachi's factory in County Durham inspired the creative flow of those onboard a Pendolino which was heading to Manchester from Euston.
The train saw a carriage of dedicated guests keen to fashion the next generation of rolling stock set to work the West Coast Main Line.
Schwa, who are a global naming agency and were behind well-known brand names such as Ocado lead the session with the aim of coaxing ideas from the Avanti West Coast team and broader rail industry colleagues from Hitachi, train financier Rock Rail and consumer watchdog Transport Focus.
The £350m Avanti West Coast fleet will include 10 Class 807 seven carriage electric trains alongside 13 Class 805 five carriage bi-mode trains. The sets will be in place of the current diesel Voyager trains and will serve the West Midlands, North Wales and Liverpool.
Sarah Copley, Executive Director Commercial at Avanti West Coast said:
“The reason behind this is because the name of our new fleet must mean more to our people, our communities, and our customers. It should stand for something bigger. A title that gives the world a glimpse of what we aim to achieve which goes beyond A to B.
“We want to inspire. A name that reflects the heritage of the routes we serve which is why we invited representatives of our network to bring a different spark and knowledge to this search.”
The new name will be revealed later in 2022 as the trains are expected to begin an extensive programme of testing.
I believe they should stay with the japanese name may be Nishikaigan meaning West coast
2023 is 70th. Coronation
Anniversary, so how about the same name as the 1935 LMSR steam locos the Jubilees?
If their looking for a new name they should consider going with APT-F (Advanced Passenger Train Future).
The Avanti Aventador, keep the tradition of Italian naming in line with the Pendolino. It means ‘bull’, but apparently can also mean ‘sixth element’, a reference to the new trains bi-mode power??
Northern Flyers for 2 reasons. 1 the services are North England and Wales. 2 the rail industry grew quickly in both areas
Aha, i have the perfect name… “You thought the voyager was bad…”
Other names include “Intersh***y Express”, “S***box” and “The Useless”
Enterprise, To go where no ***? (Maybe im too old)
Well LNER have named their Class 800 and Class 801 IETs Azuma. And Nishikaigan would be a ideal name for the Avanti West Coast Class 805 and Class 807 IETs. As Nishikaigan is Japanese for West Coast.
Nishi
Nishikaigan
Seibu
Hokusei
Avu~antiu~esutokosuto
Why didn’t they ask public to come up with a name.A competition perhaps?
Because of the Boaty McBoatface fiasco perchance?
Trainy McTrainface
Why didn’t they have a public competition to find a name.
Let’s hope they don’t try to have their ludicrous Premier First class on these shorter trains (ie.shorter than the Pendolinos).
Reason not to ask public in a unstructured way: Trainy McTrainface…
And based on the ride quality/on train experience of some of these Hitachi units, might get some fairly pungent suggestions.
Western Wind? (There is a song with the name) Gulf Stream? (Sadly may conflict with an aircraft)
Something with an arrow theme..arrowhead (cf Italy’s Freccia trains)..that would have some clout (sorry, archery joke).