Avanti West Coast’s Pendolino Fleet Wins “Most Improved” at Golden Spanners 

We've celebrated our first-ever success at the prestigious Golden Spanner Awards, with our iconic Pendolino fleet named Most Improved in the “First Generation New Inter-City” category. 

The Class 390 Pendolino trains, which have been a symbol of the West Coast Main Line for over 20 years, earned the Silver Spanner for significant improvements in reliability over the past 12 months. This recognition follows the completion of the UK’s largest train refurbishment programme, a £117m investment delivered in partnership with Alstom and Angel Trains. Upgrades included new seating, refreshed interiors, enhanced passenger information screens, and the introduction of Standard Premium class. 

In addition, a major operational overhaul was completed earlier this year, with critical components such as bogies, pantographs, and control systems reconditioned or replaced—ensuring the fleet continues to deliver a safe, comfortable, and reliable experience for millions of customers. 

This milestone reflects our drive for excellence and progress, securing the Pendolino’s place as a symbol of innovation in British rail. 

 

Read more here.