Climate Train named 'Opportunity' and Hitachi Trains ‘Trackathon’
 
 

Climate Train named 'Opportunity'

 

Avanti West Coast's Climate Train will now be known as "Opportunity" following a nationwide search to find a worthy name.

 

A competition on social media was launched last October after the Pendolino was wrapped in a unique design championing rail travel, as part of Avanti West Coast’s partnership with Eurostar to transport delegates attending the COP26 Climate Change Conference between Amsterdam and Glasgow.

 

The successful suggestion was put forward by Kyla Louise Poulton, 18, from Milton Keynes, which was picked by an Avanti West Coast panel from 150 entries. There was also a contest to design the emblem on Opportunity’s name plate, which will adorn the Pendolino. That was won by 10-year-old Luca Fazakerley from Liverpool, who created the artwork themed on what the planet meant to him.

 

You can find the full press release here.

 

Hitachi Trains ‘Trackathon’

 

Meanwhile, in March 2022, Avanti West Coast kicked off a quest to find a name for its new multi-million-pound fleet with a unique event on board a train to come up with ideas. Calling the session a “Trackathon”, guests were invited to take part and put forward proposals which would make a suitable moniker for the Hitachi sets which are due in service in 2023.

 

As the building of the trains continues at pace at Hitachi’s factory in County Durham, the creative juices were put to test on a Pendolino train heading for Manchester from Euston, with a carriage of participants eager to help shape the next generation of rolling stock on the West Coast Main Line.

 

The £350m fleet will comprise of 10 Class 807 seven carriage electric trains and 13 Class 805 five carriage bi-mode trains. They will replace the current diesel Voyager trains and serve the West Midlands, North Wales and Liverpool.

 

You can find the full press release here.