The first Class 805 for Avanti West Coast has been shunted outside for the first time at Hitachi's County Durham factory.
The bi-mode Class 805s, along with the electric-only Class 807s, will replace outgoing Class 221 Voyager trains on the WCML between London and Chester, Rhyl, Llandudno, Bangor and Holyhead (805s only), and also London to Liverpool (805/807s).
The set in question, 805001, was shunted outside to get fuel and is due to go back inside to continue static testing.
805001 is currently without any interior (like most at this stage of testing) and is due to start dynamic testing in September.
An Avanti spokesperson has told RailAdvent that it is expected that the fire new train is set to begin testing on the mainline network towards the end of 2022, with the first set to be accepted by the operator in the Spring of 2023.
The East Midlands Railway Class 810 “Aurora are also to be mass produced at Newton Aycliffe facility and once in service from later next year it will replace the Class 180 Adelante and Class 222 Meridian rolling stocks.
I wonder if they’ve taken on board Hitachi’s reputation for awful uncomfortable seating !!
I heard that EMR have a bespoke interior designed by a Derby company with their more comfortable seating.
Would’ve thought the 221s will also be replaced by 805s between London Euston and Shrewsbury?
I think that is the case as all 221s will be replaced.