'Game-changing' new trains and extra services arrive on West Coast Main Line

A new Evero train. Image from Avanti West Coast.

New revamped trains and extra services have been added to the West Coast Main Line as a nationwide shake-up of timetables came into effect.

As of yesterday (Sunday May 18) extra services have been added on some West Coast routes on the London-Scotland line - which serves stations including Lancaster and Oxenholme.

Train operator Avanti West Coast said "these additional services are coming in thanks to the continued rollout of the new Evero trains and the progression of their driver training programme".

Avanti West Coast has invested £350m in its new Evero fleet, with roll out under way.

They said the new trains have "more seats, legroom and luggage space, as well as new accessible features" - with up to 84 seats in each coach and more table seats.

This, they said, will deliver an additional 28,030 seats each week – bringing the weekly total of available seats to over one million.

"Our brand new Evero trains will transform travel on the West Coast Main Line," said an Avanti West Coast spokesperson.

"We couldn’t be prouder to bring more sustainable and comfortable travel to more communities on our route.

"Get ready to relax in ergonomic, comfy seats. Stretch out in loads of leg room. Stash your bags in stacks of space. Like a table seat? You’re spoilt for choice. And just wait until you see the smart design and innovative tech we’ve packed in.

"Our new Evero trains won’t just help you arrive feeling good. They’re also expertly engineered to lighten the load on the planet, cutting carbon emissions significantly compared to the trains they’re replacing. They're a real game changer for the West Coast."

 

Built by Hitachi at its factory in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, the Evero fleet is quieter and roomier than the Voyagers it replaced

Customer benefits include wireless charging for electrical devices, improved Wi-Fi, more seats than the trains they replaced and greater legroom, larger luggage racks and more real-time customer information screens which are easier to read.

The Evero trains also feature improved wheelchair spaces with contrasting carpet and a large accessibility symbol, improved accessible toilets, as well as Braille and large print labels on seats.

The new trains will service routes from London to the Midlands, Chester, North Wales and the North West.

The National Rail Timetable is changed twice a year and the new timetable will operate until December 13.

"From Sunday 18 May 2025, Avanti West Coast have got more new trains and more frequent services running on several of their routes," said an Avanti West Coast spokesperson.

"More services have been added on the routes between London and Liverpool, Birmingham and North Wales, as well as between Birmingham and Glasgow. These additional services are coming in thanks to the continued rollout of the new Evero trains and the progression of their driver training programme.

"A few small changes will be made to some departure times and calling patterns, but there are no other major changes to the timetable.

"A copy of the Avanti West Coast scheduled timetable book from 18 May 2025 onwards is available to download from the Avanti West Coast website."

Northern, who operate services including from Lancaster to Morecambe, said there have been "changes to the timings of trains, as well as a handful of services added to routes on the Northern network".

"Services will broadly stay at the same level, with some re-timings or additional trains added to highlighted routes.

"The timetable will see train capacity increases on key lines (Blackpool - Manchester, Leeds - Doncaster and Wigan - Bolton).

"The Northumberland line continues to open with stations at Bedlington, Blyth Bebside and Northumberland Park opening during 2025.

"There will also be changes to services accommodating the TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU) engineering works around Huddersfield / Leeds / York.

"Please check before travelling as your usual services may differ from the current timetable.

Copies of TransPennine Express timetables from are available to download from the TransPennine Express website.

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