EAST COAST UNDERTAKES PENDOLINO TESTING ON ECML
Published at 03:06 on Tuesday 13th March 2012
Tags: Alstom, Class 390, Pendolino, ECML, East Coast
In a move that will spark speculation as to the future of ECML traction, Class 390 No. 390055 stands at York in the early hours of 13th March, while on a test run from Edinburgh to London Kings Cross. Richard Tuplin
Prior to the delivery of the new 11-car Class 390 Pendolino's from Alstom's Italian factory, it was suggested within the industry that a Class 390 may be used in passenger service by East Coast.
Such moves were quashed however, when agreement was reached between Virgin Trains and the Department for Transport that would allow the four new Class 390s to enter traffic with Virgin prior to the start of the new West Coast franchise.
However, RH understands that behind-the-scenes work has continued within the industry on whether a Class 390 'Pendolino' set would be compatible with the infrastructure on the East Coast Main Line, and that the conclusion of that work was a one-off non-passenger trial of a set on 12th/13th March.
The working, utilised one of the latest Class 390s to be delivered from Italy, No. 390055, running as a nine-car set, operating south from Edinburgh Waverley to London Kings Cross. The train was driven by Virgin Trains' staff with route conductors from East Coast.
An East Coast spokesman said that the company was "now concluding the desktop study to test our findings in practice, in line with the wider strategic aims of the industry going forward."
