British Rail Class 390

type of electric high-speed train

The British Class 390 "Pendolino" electric multiple unit is a tilting train built by Fiat Ferroviaria using Fiat tilt systems. Now running for Avanti West Coast, fifty-three 9-car units were built for Virgin Trains from 2001 to 2004. These trains were the last to be assembled at Alstom's Washwood Heath plant, in Birmingham, before it closed in 2005.

British Rail Class 390
Pendolino
An Avanti West Coast Class 390 unit on the West Coast Main Line
The refurbished standard-class interior of a Class 390 unit
In service23 July 2002 – present
Manufacturer
Built at
Family namePendolino
Replaced
Constructed
  • 2001–2004
  • 2010–2012[2]
Refurbishment2021–present
Number built
  • 57
  • (22 × 390/0, 35 × 390/1)
Number in service56
Number scrapped1
Predecessor
Formation(See § Consist)
Fleet numbers(See § Fleet details)
Capacity
  • 390/0: 469 seats
  • (99 first-class, 370 standard)
  • 390/1 pre-refurb: 589 seats
  • (145 first-class, 444 standard)
  • 390/1 post-refurb: 607 seats
  • (99 first-class, 508 standard)
Operator(s)
Depot(s)
Line(s) served
Specifications
Car body constructionAluminium (friction stir welded)
Train length
  • 390/0: 217.5 m (713 ft 7 in)
  • 390/1: 265.3 m (870 ft 5 in)
Car length
  • DM cars: 25.1 m (82 ft 4 in)
  • Others: 23.9 m (78 ft 5 in)
Width2.73 m (8 ft 11 in)[3]
Height3.56 m (11 ft 8 in)[3]
DoorsSingle-leaf sliding plug
WheelbaseBogies: 2.70 m (8 ft 10 in)[4]
Maximum speed125 mph (200 km/h)
Weight
  • 390/0: 466 tonnes (459 long tons; 514 short tons)
  • 390/1: 567 tonnes (558 long tons; 625 short tons)
Traction systemAlstom Onix 800 IGBT[5]
Traction motors2 × Alstom 4 EJA 2852 per motor car (425 kW (570 hp) each)[4]
Power output
  • 390/0: 5,100 kW (6,840 hp)
  • 390/1: 5,950 kW (7,980 hp)
Electric system(s)25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead
Current collection methodPantograph
UIC classification(See § Consist)
BogiesFiat-SIG[3]
Braking system(s)Electro-pneumatic (disc) and rheostatic/regenerative[6]
Safety system(s)
Coupling systemDellner 12[6]
Multiple workingNot provided[3]
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in) standard gauge

Incidents

change

On the 23rd February 2007, a Class 390 derailed near Grayrigg in Cumbria. It was caused by a broken point in the train tracks. Sadly, one person died and 58 were hurt. In 2012, Network Rail was fined over £4 million for not keeping their tracks up to standard.[9]

References

change
  1. "Class 390 history". Railways Illustrated. No. October 2021. p. 7.
  2. "Angel Trains and Alstom sign order for new Pendolino high speed tilting train sets and extra carriages to lengthen existing trains" (Press release). Angel Trains. 19 September 2009. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011..
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Class 390 'Pendolino'". The Railway Centre. Archived from the original on 14 October 2007. Retrieved 2 March 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. 4.0 4.1 References: High-Speed Trains and Electric Multiple Units (EMUs) (PDF). Heidenheim: Voith Turbo. May 2008. pp. 18–19. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 December 2022. Retrieved 2 December 2022.
  5. Ford, Roger (October 1998). "Tilting trains hold the key to Virgin's ambitious franchise". Railway Gazette. Sutton: DVV Media International. Archived from the original on 16 January 2017. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  6. 6.0 6.1 "Class 390 - Virgin Trains West Coast". Angel Trains. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 3 February 2016.
  7. Bickell, David (10 September 2013). "Train protection and driver aids". Rail Engineer. Coalville: Rail Media. Archived from the original on 26 October 2016. Retrieved 3 January 2017.
  8. Marsden, Colin J. (2011). Traction Recognition (Second ed.). Hersham, Surrey: Ian Allan Publishing. p. 237. ISBN 9780711034945.
  9. "Rail crash report blames points". BBC News. 26 February 2007. Retrieved 20 April 2024.