Moment of truth for AWC ‘Everos’

Avanti West Coast’s first Hitachi ‘Evero’ bi-mode trains entered passenger service on June 2. Ben Jones takes a close look at the new Class 805s to see what they will deliver for passengers between London and North Wales.

Rolling stock engineers and operators know from long (and sometimes bitter) experience that no amount of testing can ever completely prepare them for what happens when their precious new train encounters the travelling public.

Avanti West Coast and Hitachi Rail Europe had their latest taste of that in early June, when the first Class 805 ‘Evero’ bi-mode trains were introduced on the London-North Wales route (RAIL 1011).