Class 805 AT300 Evero

The Class 805 is part of the Intercity Express Programme family like the Class 802 and 810 and are bi-mode units for Avanti West Coast to replace the Class 221 on services between London Euston and north Wales.

Avanti West Coast 805 008 at Stafford

Information
Number built:	65 (13 5-car sets)
Built:	2021-
Builder:	Hitachi
Motor:	Hitachi traction system (25kV AC OHLE) & MTU 12V 1600 R80L diesel

As the Class 805 is bi-mode, a big advantage it has over the pure diesel 221 is that electric traction can be used while travelling under wires, which a fair amount of the route is under.

Testing of the units began in 2022 ahead of an expected entry into service by the end of 2023 but that was pushed back until Summer 2024. In service the trains are called the Evero by Avanti West Coast.

805 001 arrives at Stafford

Such a difference a livery makes! 805 003 at Stafford before it received AWC livery

Another view of 805 001

Cab side view of 805 008

And the other end!

Class 768

The Class 768 is a parcels carrying version of the Class 769 Flex bi-mode built for Orion Logistics (part of the Rail Operations Group). These are refurbished Class 319 electric multiple units which have been fitted with diesel engines to operate away from electrified routes. After the completion of the conversion to bi-mode units the Class 768s were fitted out to carry parcel cages and pallets at Eastleigh.

Orion Logistics 768 001 heads through Rugeley Trent Valley

Information
Number built:	8 (2 4-car sets)
Built:	2020- (Original build 1987-90)
Builder:	Brush Traction (conversions)
Motor:	2 MAN D2876 diesels per set  25kv AC OHLE / 750v DC third-rail
Power:	1, 046 hp (780 kW)

Two conversions were been carried out with eight more planned however, any plans were put on hold after the closure of the historic Brush Traction works at Loughborough were the conversions took place. It is unknown if the other conversions will now take place. The Class 768s ran some demonstration services in late 2021, at first diesel hauled then under their own power.

EuroPheonix 37 884 hauls two Class 768s through Rugeley Trent Valley

Class 769 Flex

In the mid-2010s there was a need for diesel multiple units to replace life-expired stock such as the Pacer family but (at the time) little chance of new DMUs being built. Instead, Porterbrook in conjunction with Northern, sought to fill the gap with converting surplus Class 319 electric multiple units into bi-mode multiple units with diesel power packs. The result was the Class 769 Flex which retains it's EMU systems (indeed the two diesels feed power into the unit's existing traction system) and so can take it's power from electrified lines where available.

GWR 769 959 on test at Guildford

Information
Number built:	36 (Conversions from Class 319)
Built:	2017-21 (Original build 1987-90)
Builder:	Brush Traction (conversions)
Motor:	2 MAN D2876 diesels
Power:	1, 046 hp (780 kW)

Work began at Brush's Loughborough Works in 2017 with Class 769s ordered by Northern, Transport for Wales and Great Western Railway (their examples will be "tri-mode" as they will be able to take their power from overhead and third rail). Testing of the first example began in 2018 however, the development of the trains has not been trouble free and has had numerous delays and reliability problems. Northern hoped to start using their Class 769s in 2019 but this was delayed until 2021. Transport for Wales' units entered service in 2020 though have not been without technical issues. GWR hopes to start using their 769s before the end of 2022.

A parcel carrying version of the unit is the Class 768.

769 959 departs on test