Avanti West Coast wins award for work to keep customers moving on historic route
Article Summary
Source-basedOn 27 October 2026, Rail Business Daily reported that Avanti West Coast received the Delivering for the customer category award at the regional Spotlight Rail Awards North for maintaining passenger rail services during planned closures of the West Coast Main Line. The operator ran intercity services over the historic Settle to Carlisle route during three distinct engineering programmes in January (14 days), over the Easter weekend (two days) and at the end of April (nine days). Avanti used its bi-mode Class 805 Evero trains to operate a roughly two‑hourly non‑stop shuttle, exploiting the fleet’s diesel capability to operate where there were no overhead wires.
The operator provided evidence that January marked the first time in over a decade that in‑service intercity trains ran on the Settle to Carlisle line. Avanti West Coast said it coordinated testing of the Evero fleet on the diversionary route, conducted intensive staff training, and established transport interchange points, including at Lockerbie. The report attributes the decision to run trains in part to Transport Focus research from 2015, which indicated passenger preference to remain on trains during diversions. According to the report, Avanti worked with Network Rail and other operators to reduce reliance on bus replacement services and maintain links between Scotland and the North West; financial figures and contract details were not publicly disclosed.
RailZoom Intelligence Brief
Original synthesisLead
On 27 October 2026, Rail Business Daily reported that Avanti West Coast won the Delivering for the customer category at the regional Spotlight Rail Awards North for operating intercity services via the Settle to Carlisle route while the West Coast Main Line was closed for essential engineering works. The award recognises the operator’s use of its Class 805 Evero bi‑mode fleet to sustain passenger journeys during multiple planned closures in January, over the Easter weekend and at the end of April.
Verified facts
The announcement reported that Avanti West Coast ran trains on the Settle to Carlisle railway while the West Coast Main Line was blocked for essential work. The diversionary operations took place during three programmes: a 14‑day closure in January, a two‑day closure over the Easter weekend, and a nine‑day programme at the end of April. During these periods Avanti operated a shuttle service roughly every two hours, running non‑stop via the Settle to Carlisle route using Class 805 Evero bi‑mode trains capable of operating on electric or diesel power. The report states January was the first time in over a decade that in‑service intercity trains had run on the Settle to Carlisle line. Transport Focus research from 2015 was cited in the report as supporting the decision to keep passengers on trains where possible. Monetary amounts, contract values, ownership details and supplier identities were not publicly disclosed in the report.
Organizations and responsibilities
- Avanti West Coast: reported organiser and operator of the diversionary intercity shuttle service on the Settle to Carlisle route; reported to have tested its Class 805 Evero fleet on the route, conducted staff training, and created transport interchange points such as Lockerbie. The company is the award recipient named in the report.
- Network Rail: reported collaborating partner in delivering the diversionary operation and the West Coast Main Line improvement works that necessitated the diversions.
- Other operators: reported to have collaborated with Avanti West Coast and Network Rail; specific operator names were not publicly disclosed.
- Spotlight Rail Awards North: award organiser; the report states Avanti won the Delivering for the customer category.
- Transport Focus: source of 2015 passenger‑preference research referenced in the report.
Operational and commercial context
The report frames the operation as a customer‑focused alternative to bus replacement services during extensive engineering works on the West Coast Main Line. According to the report, Avanti West Coast reduced reliance on bus replacements by using existing rail infrastructure and the diesel capability of its Class 805 Evero fleet to maintain rail connections between Scotland, the North West and beyond. The report states this required pre‑works activity including fleet testing on the Settle to Carlisle line, intensive staff training, and establishing interchange facilities such as Lockerbie. The report characterises the approach as delivering value for money and a more efficient offer for customers; these assessments are presented as the company’s position. The report does not disclose financial savings, passenger volumes carried on diversion days, or contractual arrangements underpinning the operation.
Sources
https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/avanti-west-coast-wins-award-for-work-to-keep-customers-moving-on-historic-route/ — Rail Business Daily
Disclosure
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