Class 390 'Pendolino' Profile and Models
Pendolino unit at Rugeley in August 2014. ©Clagmaster
The Class 390 Pendolinos are a fleet of 9 and 11 car EMUs produced by Alstom for use on express passenger services along the West Coast Main Line between London and Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and elsewhere. The trains utilise the Fiat Ferroviaria tilting system, allowing for a smoother ride at high speeds of up to 125mph in service. The class are one of the fastest domestic trains in the UK and are capable of completing the journey from London to Glasgow in under 4 hours. The class were ordered by Virgin Trains after taking over the Intercity West Coast franchise from British Rail, the operator had committed to replacing all of the electric loocmotives and Mk2 and Mk3 coaching stock which was currently operating on the route. For its time, the Pendolino featured a number of innovations in terms of its construction, safety systems and on-board passenger facilities. There were some delays to their introduction, mainly stemming from Railtrack, but the fleet were the dominant WCML class by 2004 to 2005. |
|
Type of Unit |
Electric 25kV 50Hz AC Overhead |
Builder |
Alstom (& Fiat Ferroviaria for tilting system) Washwood Heath, UK & Savigliano, Italy |
Build Dates |
2001 to 2012 |
Total Built |
57 |
Power Output |
Class 390/0: 6,840 hp Class 390/1: 7,980 hp |
Top Speed |
In service: 125mph Design speed: 140mph Record speed: 145mph |
Passenger Capacity |
Class 390/0: 469 Class 390/1: 589 |
Operated By |
Virgin Trains Avanti West Coast |
Main Duties |
Express Passenger |
In Service Until |
Present |
Surviving Examples |
56 |