Introduced in 2002 by the former operator of the line Virgin Trains and a regular site passing through Carlisle Station over the years, the fleet amassed over 109 million miles whilst serving routes from London to the West Midlands, North Wales, Blackpool and Scotland.

Famous for their tilt capabilities, sets 221105 and 221106 had the honour of working the last train on Saturday 14 December - the 18:16 from London Euston to Birmingham New Street. Both trains then made their way to Alstom’s Central Rivers depot in Burton-upon-Trent - where the fleet has been maintained since its first day on the west coast.

The change coincided with the introduction of Avanti West Coast’s enhanced December timetable, which has seen the rollout of the £350 million Evero fleet - with the new trains due to run around a third of all services.

Stacy Thundercliffe, Head of Fleet and Engineering at Avanti West Coast, said: “The Class 221 Super Voyagers have played a key part in the transformation of long-distance services on the West Coast Main Line.

“A true workhorse, ably cared for by the team at Central Rivers depot. We owe both the train and Alstom our thanks and now look forward to the next exciting chapter for rolling stock on the west coast route with the introduction of our Evero fleet.”

To mark the end of the Super Voyager’s time on the west coast, Avanti West Coast Driver Team Manager and resident poet, Eamonn Holmes, penned a poem that has been made into a farewell video: https://youtu.be/O08XMxYP1aU?si=P9Rf3sudDpD7qWI7