A peculiar scene is unfolding on the railway line between Manchester and London. Starting next month, the 7am Avanti West Coast express, a favored route for business travelers, will run…empty.
Imagine watching a sleek, modern train pull away from the platform, capable of whisking passengers to the capital in under two hours, yet carrying no one. This isn’t a drill, nor a late-night test run. It’s a deliberate decision driven by operational complexities and a regulator’s assessment of network needs.
The journey, typically costing up to £195 for a standard class ticket, will now transport only rail staff. Passengers are understandably baffled, questioning the logic of expending resources on a ghost train. Concerns are rising about the cost-effectiveness of maintaining a full crew and consuming electricity for a journey with zero revenue.
Rail experts describe the situation as surreal – a tangible service passengers can see, almost touch, but are barred from boarding. This isn’t an isolated incident; a Sunday service to Holyhead will now terminate prematurely at Crewe, further altering travel patterns.
The Office for Road and Rail (ORR) defends the decision, claiming these “firebreak” paths – dedicated slots for crew-only trains – will enhance network flexibility and aid in service recovery during disruptions. The ORR insists this move, based on “robust evidence,” will ultimately improve overall reliability.
While some services are being altered, the ORR states that the total number of Avanti trains to the North West will actually increase under the revised schedule. However, the regulator has simultaneously rejected applications from other companies hoping to introduce competing services on the same line.
Notably, a bid from Virgin Group, previously the operator of the West Coast franchise, to run services to Birmingham, Liverpool, and Glasgow was denied due to concerns about overcrowding and potential performance issues. The ORR determined that additional trains would risk a “serious negative impact” on the existing network.
Despite the changes, a new low-cost operator, Lumo, is slated to begin services to Stirling, Scotland, from Euston next year, adding to the existing network originating at King’s Cross. Avanti, however, expressed disappointment over the cancellation of the 7am Manchester service, acknowledging the inconvenience to its regular customers.
Looking ahead, West Coast services operated by Avanti are projected to transition to public ownership by spring 2027, marking a significant shift in the landscape of British rail travel. The empty trains, for now, represent a curious chapter in that ongoing evolution.
