London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Friday, Jul 04, 2025

Heritage railway takes on Avanti with first class west coast service

Heritage railway takes on Avanti with first class west coast service

Locomotive Intercity promises cheaper tickets and comfier seats on its Friday service between London and Manchester

There has rarely been a worse time to travel by rail in the UK, particularly on the delay-prone west coast mainline, where services have been slashed and passengers are now expected to fork out £365 for a walk-up return peak fare from Manchester to London.

The operator, Avanti, may think it has passengers over a barrel as it has a monopoly on the line.

Not any more. On Friday afternoon a new charter train service operated by a heritage railway company takes its first journey down the west coast, promising cheaper tickets, comfier seats and air-conditioned carriages.

Operating only on Fridays, Locomotive Intercity will run one return service between London and Crewe or Manchester, promising to take passengers to the capital “in comfort and style without the stress of normal rail services”.

With tickets costing just £75, this special charter service will run at 110 mph using electric locomotives and all first-class, air-conditioned coaches. All passengers are guaranteed not just a seat – a luxury on some Avanti services – but tables and 240V power points, as well as decent leg room. Two buffet cars are available on board, serving teas, coffees, snacks and alcoholic beverages.

Locomotive City says it has refurbished a 1987 Class 90 train to offer an unparalleled level of comfort.

“Our team of expert craftsmen worked tirelessly to refurbish our fleet of carriages inside and out. The train has been upgraded to the highest standards and liveried with the iconic Intercity brand. All our carriages have cushioned seating, panoramic windows, generously sized tables, and plenty of room for you to sit back, stretch your legs and admire the view from your window,” the firm says on its website.

Locomotive Intercity route says passengers will travel in comfort in first class carriages.


Jeremy Hosking, chair of Locomotive Services LTD Group, the parent company of Locomotive City, said the service was a moment of opportunism after Avanti decided to cut services on the west coast mainline to four an hour from Euston, blaming the “current industrial relations climate”.

Hosking said: “We approached Network Rail and bid for Avanti’s 17.27 Friday slot from Euston, which it had vacated and we were given the slot for the next four weeks.”

The offer is aimed squarely at commuters fed up with Avanti, and “not just trainspotters”, he said, describing Avanti’s problems as “intractable and probably insoluble”.

If it is a success, the firm will look to bid for more of Avanti’s routes, starting with a Monday morning service from Manchester to Euston, said Hosking.

On Friday, lunchtime tickets were still available for the maiden return leg, which was scheduled to depart London Euston at 17.27 and calling at Birmingham International, Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton, Stafford, Crewe & Wilmslow to Manchester Piccadilly.

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
DJI Launches Heavy-Duty Coaxial Quadcopter with 80 kg Lift Capacity
U.S. Senate Approves Major Legislation Dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill'
Largest Healthcare Fraud Takedown in U.S. History Announced by DOJ
Poland Implements Border Checks Amid Growing Migration Tensions
Political Dispute Escalates Between Trump and Musk
Emirates Airline Expands Market Share with New $20 Million Campaign
Amazon Reaches Milestone with Deployment of One Millionth Robot
US Senate Votes to Remove AI Regulation Moratorium from Domestic Policy Bill
Yulia Putintseva Calls for Spectator Ejection at Wimbledon Over Safety Concerns
Jury Deliberations in Diddy Trial Yield Partial Verdict in Serious Criminal Charges
House Oversight Committee Subpoenas Former Jill Biden Aide Amid Investigation into Alleged Concealment of President Biden's Cognitive Health
King Charles Plans Significant Role for Prince Harry in Coronation
Two Chinese Nationals Arrested for Espionage Activities Against U.S. Navy
Amazon Reaches Major Automation Milestone with Over One Million Robots
Extreme Heat Wave Sweeps Across Europe, Hitting Record Temperatures
Meta Announces Formation of Ambitious AI Unit, Meta Superintelligence Labs
Robots Compete in Football Tournament in China Amid Injuries
Trump Administration Considers Withdrawal of Funding for Hospitals Providing Gender Treatment to Minors
Texas Enacts Law Allowing Gold and Silver Transactions
China Unveils Miniature Insect-Like Surveillance Drone
OpenAI Secures Multimillion-Dollar AI Contracts with Pentagon, India, and Grab
Marc Marquez Claims Victory at Dutch Grand Prix Amidst Family Misfortune
Germany Votes to Suspend Family Reunification for Asylum Seekers
Elon Musk Critiques Senate Budget Proposal Over Job Losses and Strategic Risks
Los Angeles Riots ended with Federal Investigations into Funding
Budapest Pride Parade Draws 200,000 Participants Amid Government Ban
Southern Europe Experiences Extreme Heat
Xiaomi's YU7 SUV Launch Garners Record Pre-Orders Amid Market Challenges
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's Lavish Wedding in Venice
Russia Launches Largest Air Assault on Ukraine Since Invasion
Education Secretary Announces Overhaul of Complaints System Amid Rising Parental Grievances
Massive Anti-Government Protests Erupt in Belgrade
Trump Ends Trade Talks with Canada Over Digital Services Tax
UK Government Softens Welfare Reform Plans Amid Labour Party Rebellion
Labour Faces Rebellion Over Disability Benefit Reforms Ahead of Key Vote
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Host Lavish Wedding in Venice Amid Protests
Trump Asserts Readiness for Further Strikes on Iran Amid Nuclear Tensions
North Korea to Open New Beach Resort to Boost Tourism Economy
UK Labour Party Faces Internal Tensions Over Welfare Reforms
Andrew Cuomo Hints at Potential November Comeback Amid Democratic Primary Results
Curtis Sliwa Champions His Vision for New York City Amid Rising Crime Concerns
Federal Reserve Proposes Changes to Capital Rule Affecting Major Banks
EU TO HUNGARY: LET THEM PRIDE OR PREP FOR SHADE. ORBÁN TO EU: STAY IN YOUR LANE AND FIX YOUR OWN MESS.
Trump Escalates Criticism of Media Over Iran Strike Coverage
Trump Announces Upcoming US-Iran Meeting Amid Controversial Airstrikes
Trump Moves to Reshape Middle East Following Israel-Iran Conflict
Big Four Accounting Firms Fined in Exam Cheating Scandal
NATO Members Agree to 5% Defense Spending Target by 2035
Australia's Star Casino Secures $195 Million Rescue Package Amid Challenges
UK to Enhance Nuclear Capabilities with Acquisition of F-35A Fighter Jets
×