So that would be an electric Adelante then? Rumours abound that Alstom have such an idea up their sleeves (Pendolino traction package, Adelante type bodyshell) for electrified Intercity routes that don't require tilting trains. I don't know how accurate those rumours are, but I for one would be over the moon with such a combination. It sounds like a winning package: Pendolino reliability and performance, Adelante comfort.
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You feel that East Coast trains are cramped, dull and squeezing passengers in, and yet you like Pendolinos?
hock: Usually, I'm content to put such matters of on-train comfort down to the vagaries of personal taste, but this time, I'm just plain confused
The standard class interiors of Pendolinos are as clautrophobic as UK trains get IMO, and I can't stand those skinny, poorly padded seats that are fitted to them. The ambience in first class is very nice though, but then again, it is on East Coast as well.
The only thing that I'd really want to see transferred over to East Coast from Virgin is the standard of first class service: The quality of the meals and drinks, etc. Other than that, I think that East Coast are superior to Virgin, primarily because of the advantages of the rolling stock that is used: BR managed to build tilt profile rolling stock (Admittedly, the mark 4s were only intended to allow tilt up to 6 degrees compared to the Pendolinos 9) that feels light, airy and spacious, and of course the mark 3s are second to none, particularly after the "Mallard" refurb, as I feel that the Primarius seats fitted to East Coasts HSTs and 225s (and XCs HSTs) are the best seating out there for an Intercity operation.