Thursday, 26 March 2026

Notes for trip to London

Here’s a clear, structured history of Class 390 Pendolino unit 390043 — one of the most photographed and easily recognisable sets on the West Coast Main Line.

🚄 390043 — A Concise History

🏭 Build & Entry Into Service

Class: 390/0 Pendolino
Builder: Alstom (Washwood Heath, Birmingham)
Built: 2000–2003 (390043 is from the early production batches)
Entered service: 2003 with Virgin Trains West Coast
Formation: 9‑car tilting EMU
Top speed: 125 mph
Traction: 25 kV AC overhead

The unit was part of the major WCML modernisation programme, replacing loco‑hauled sets and enabling faster timings through tilt technology.

🎨 Liveries & Branding Timeline

1. Virgin Trains West Coast (2003–2019)

Delivered in the classic red/yellow Virgin Pendolino livery.
Name: Virgin Explorer (as confirmed by multiple sightings and photo archives). flickr.com
Operated flagship services such as:
- London Euston ↔ Manchester Piccadilly
- London Euston ↔ Glasgow Central
- London Euston ↔ Liverpool Lime Street

2. Avanti West Coast (2019–present)

Rebranded after the franchise change in December 2019.
Repainted into the Avanti West Coast dark green/white/yellow scheme.
Continues to operate the same core WCML intercity routes.
Frequently photographed at:
- Nuneaton
- Stafford
- Wigan North Western
- Poulton‑le‑Fylde
- Crewe
  (all visible in the image set above)

🔧 Refurbishment & Upgrades

Between 2021–2024, the Pendolino fleet underwent a major £117m refurbishment programme:

New seating and interior layout
Improved lighting and toilets
New passenger information systems
Overhauled bogies and traction equipment

390043 is part of this refreshed fleet now in regular service.

📸 Notable Sightings (from search results)

Rugeley Trent Valley (2022) — working 14:20 Euston → Manchester Piccadilly Railway Herald
Poulton‑le‑Fylde (2023) — in Avanti livery youtube.com
Stafford (2024) — passing on 1F16 youtube.com
Nuneaton (multiple years) — frequent spot for enthusiasts youtube.com

🛤️ Operational Role Today

390043 remains a core part of Avanti’s long‑distance electric fleet, typically diagrammed on:

Euston–Manchester
Euston–Liverpool
Euston–Glasgow/Edinburgh (via WCML)

Its tilt capability still gives it a performance advantage on the curving northern sections of the WCML.

Want a deeper dive?

If you’d like, I can map:

A full timeline of 390043’s allocations and diagrams
A spotter’s log of known sightings by date
A technical comparison with other Pendolino sets (e.g., 390104, 390155)
A WCML fleet evolution model showing where 390043 fits in the broader system

Just tell me what angle you want to explore.

1A58 1543 Liverpool Lime Street to London Euston

Departing today

operated by

Avanti West Coast

UID W02808, identity 1A58

TSC 22109001, headcode 8760

SSuX - 15/12/2025 to 15/05/2026

Express Passenger

Great Britain (Network Rail, TPS)

390043

First & Standard class seating

Reservations compulsory

Restaurant for First Class passengers

TRUST ID 361A58MR26

Activated 26/03/2026 09:35

192.01

Camden Jn

pass

1800½

pass

1759

192.42

Camden South Jn

pass

1801

pass

1800

193.52

London Euston [EUS]

1805

1804

Wednesday

I only got one Black Pudding, I did ask for another one, and told it will come latter, but never did ?

I seem to have problems with O2 internet on my phone, and then I had , issues with WiFi, at most places, as well , even in hotel room, O2 been working, then not, so needed to restart some phones, and restart apps, to hope get something connected, little thing going wrong.

Even no soap in room 413, just ask if they still put soap in the rooms ? As they had in the past got little bottle of soap, and two bars. but the change in this room, was holders for two large bottles, that was not there ? May be I did not ask that question very well ?