Every year we go to London as my boyfriend is a big fan of London (or at least some of his favourite shops are located there). This year we combined our London trip with a few days in Liverpool as the hotel prices in London where exorbitant due to a big convention in the London Excel convention centre.
The easiest and fastest way to get to Liverpool from London by train is the Avanti West Coast service from London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street.
A few years ago Timothy and I travelled on Avanti’s Pendolino on the same route. This time however we would be travelling on Avanti’s new Evero set and I was curious how it would compare.
The lounge in London Euston hasn’t changed at all, but was still a nice place to while away the time before our departure.
About 15 minutes before departure we made our way to platform 1 from where our Liverpool bound train would depart.
From the outside the new Evero train looks sleek and modern. Just like all the other Hitachi build high speed trains operating across the UK network as operated by other train operating companies such as GWR and LNER.
The new Evero train is much shorter with only 5 or 7 coaches compared to 9 or 11 coaches on the older Pendolino sets, thus perfect for quieter services.
The first class is located in half of the London end front coach, with the other half filled with kitchen equipment.
The cabin is divided in a 1-2 configuration, with the 1 side mostly consisting of single seats and the 2 side consisting of seats grouped around a table in bays of 4
The seats where just like in most modern trains rather slim and hard with limited recline. Thankfully the more or less ergonomically design did make them comfortable enough for the 2 and a half hour trip to Liverpool, but I wouldn’t want to do a 4 hour + trip to Scotland in them
There were plenty of power plugs (UK style of course), USB A plugs and also contactless charging pads built into the tables.
The ride quality of the train is however atrocious with plenty of jolts and lots of noise during the trip (the older Pendolinos offer a much more tranquil atmosphere on board)
The single redeeming factor of the trip was the excellent service of the amazing on-board staff. They came around asking for our drink preference even before the train departed and made sure our drinks where always topped up. After departure they handed out menus for the complimentary drinks and meals. While I ordered the ploughman’s grazing plate with a warm sausage roll and some British cheese, Sam had the warm pasta with white wine and garlic sauce. Both meals where beautifully presented and delicious.
Throughout the trip we also received further bites like crisps, chocolates and shortbread cookies.
We really enjoyed the very thoughtful and generous service on-board, a vast improvement over the cold treatment Timothy and I had last time.
All in all Avanti provided a fantastic first class experience and I wouldn’t hesitate travelling first class on them again (if finances allow) but I would try to seek out a Pendolino operated service next time as they offer a vastly superior hard product.
Every year we go to London as my boyfriend is a big fan of London (or at least some of his favourite shops are located…
Every year we go to London as my boyfriend is a big fan of London (or at least some of his favourite shops are located…