Class 390 Pendolino

The Class 390 replaced locomotive hauled services out of London Euston following the modernisation of the West Coast Main Line at the turn of the century [1]. The trains incorporate tilting technology which have allowed speeds on the WCML to be increased to 125mp/h. The Class 390, known as the Pendolino, is capable of 140 mp/h but signalling and line restrictions have meant that service speeds are limited.

Avanti WC 390 049 passes through Rugeley Trent Valley

Information
Number built:	574 cars (57 9 and 11 car sets)
Built:	2001-12
Builder:	Alstom (Washwood Heath and Italy)
Motor:	2 Alstom ONIX 800 traction motors per motor car (25kV AC OHLE)
Power:	390/0: 6 ,839 hp (5 ,100 kW) 390/1: 8, 763 hp (6, 557 kW)
Formation:	390/0: Driving Motor Restaurant First (DMRF)+Motor First (MF)+ Pantograph Trailer First (PTF)+Motor Standard (MS)+ Trailer Standard (TS)+MS+Pantograph Trailer Standard Restaurant Buffet (PTSRMS)+MS+ Driving Motor Standard Open (DMSO) 390/1: DMRF+MF+PTF+MF+TS+MS+TS+MS+PTSRMS+ MS+DMSO

The original order was for fifty-three 8-car sets, these were later strengthened to 9-cars and a number of 11-car sets have also been built to try and meet an increase in demand on the WCML.

All sets are in daily service apart from one set which was written off in the Grayrigg fatal rail derailment in 2007 [2]. Demonstrated by the crash, the strength of the train was commended with it having improved crashworthiness compared to earlier trains. All Class 390s were operated by Virgin Trains until the franchise changed to Avanti West Coast in 2019.

390 050 at Aston

390 136 at Stoke-on-Trent

Passing through Sandwell & Dudley

390 165 at Rugeley Trent Valley

390 016 at Aston

[1] Colin J. Marsden, DMU and EMU Recognition (Ian Allan, 2013) p. 296
[2] RAIB Report, Derailment at Grayrigg <https://www.gov.uk/raib-reports/derailment-at-grayrigg>