Future
With the sharp increase in passenger numbers following the WCML modernisation, the Department for Transport announced a capacity increase by procuring additional sets (with one intended to replace the unit damaged at Grayrigg). Four new sets have been built with 11 cars, and an existing 31 are in the process of being lengthened to 11 cars. This has required major infrastructure changes to allow stations and depots to accommodate the 11-car units. Virgin Rail Projects are working to introduce these new trains with the new franchise winner as well as Alstom, Network Rail and the current franchise holder, Virgin Trains West Coast to ensure the new sets were able to run from 1 April 2012.
With the closure of the Washwood Heath works, any additional vehicles are being manufactured in Alstom's Savigliano factory in Italy.
In July/August 2008, a contract was signed between Angel Trains and Virgin to take on two Class 180 trains to replace the current arrangement of a Class 90 and MK3 rake, but in October 2008, Virgin West Coast cancelled this agreement as it had procured a lease on a rake of Mk 3 rolling stock, their preferred choice over the Class 180 DMUs.
In June 2010, it was announced that the new units would be placed in store until the planned start of the new West Coast franchise in 2012. This provoked some criticism given the overcrowding in place on the WCML, which the new trains were intended to alleviate. However, in August 2010, it was announced that East Coast had been asked by the DfT to bring into service at least one of the new 11-car units on the East Coast Main Line for a period of nine months from July 2011, after which it would be returned to the West Coast franchise. East Coast never used the unit but instead lease an extra InterCity 125 set from East Midlands Trains.
The first new sets have been built with 11 cars and delivered via Dollands Moor to Edge Hill. On 14 July 2011, the Virgin Trains Media Room on their website announced that Chief Operating Officer, Chris Gibb accepted the train (as a 9 coach set) from Alstom Transport UK Managing Director, Paul Robinson and Malcolm Brown, Angel Trains’ Chief Executive, at Alstom’s Edge Hill Traincare Centre in Liverpool on 12 July.
The first 11-car set (390 156) entered service on 5 April 2012.
The InterCity West Coast franchise was due for renewal from 9 December 2012, but the award of the contract was cancelled due to flaws in bidding process.
Read more about this topic: British Rail Class 390
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