About This Content
Be enticed by the Class 390 ‘Pendolino’ – one of the most intriguing trains ever built! Combining the contentious ‘tilting’ technology of the Advanced Passenger Train with Alstom’s ETR 401s, the Pendolino was the first to bring comfortable tilting to British rails – and at speeds of up to 125mph! The perfect addition to fans of the WCML, try out the Pendolino today!
By the turn of the 21st Century, the West Coast Main Line was in dire need of major overhaul, and new traction. The Inter-City powerhouses such as the Class 86 and Class 87 had done their time, and a brand-new era was due.
Privatisation saw Virgin Trains win the bid for the West Coast franchise; it was Virgin’s goal to reduce journey times and improve comfort between London Euston and Glasgow Central. Some of the work to achieve this would be modernisation of the WCML itself, and to run on it, a fleet of state-of-the-art high-speed trains – and to go all out – Virgin wanted tilting traction.
The West Coast Main Line has a history with tilting technology; its many curves slow trains down in order to maintain passenger comfort, and while the track itself cants, or super-elevates, into each curve, there is only a certain degree to which this is a safe practice. Any further tilting would have to be done by the rolling stock themselves.
British Rail engineers explored the concept of a train which could tilt around curves, the project would culminate into the ‘Advanced Passenger Train’ (APT). A gas-turbine experimental unit was developed in the 1970s to prove the theory, and the technology was then tried and tested in the electric prototype in the 1980s.
Ultimately, the pressure to push APT into service let flaws seep through while in service, and growing opposition from the press combined with a falling political will saw the project shelved. The traction motor technology was used to develop the Class 91, and the tilting technology sold to Fiat.
Despite the failure of tilting some 20 years prior, it was seen by Virgin Trains as a solution to the slalom-like West Coast Main Line, and so, an order was placed for 53 high-speed electric multiple units. The units were to come from Alstom, who had recently taken over Fiat, which themselves combined the APT technology with their own ETR 401 efforts to make the ‘Pendolino’ family.
The knack of APT’s tilting was that it was too good, a bold claim, but proven with the fact that passengers didn’t notice the tilt, disrupting their balance upon looking out the window. Fiat’s Pendolinos work around this by forcing the train to tilt at key points in the curves, making the motion noticeable, and subsequently less nauseating, for those on-board.
Now refined, the tilting technology of the Pendolinos was to pay dividends; the Virgin Trains fleet, classified as the Class 390, was designed to be capable of 140mph, as it was the intention to have the WCML upgraded for such high speeds.
Unfortunately, the aspirational upgrade was never fully delivered, and the speed limit only taken up to 125. Still, this was a significant increase in-and-of-itself, and the tilting capabilities of the Class 390s could take full advantage of key sections, where conventional trains would have to run slower.
When ordered, the 53 Class 390s were split into 8 and 9-car configurations, however capacity concerns were quickly raised following their introduction into service in 2002, and all units were brought up to 9-cars in 2004. To further increase capacity, 62 extra cars were built and delivered between 2009 and 2012, bringing 31 sets up to 11-cars, and a further 4 brand new 11-car sets also joined the fleet.
Since 2002, the Class 390s have been working limited-stop services between London Euston, and several key stations including Manchester Piccadilly, Liverpool Lime Street, and of course Glasgow Central. The fleet has also traversed the North Wales Coast Line in years prior, hauled by modified Class 57s.
In Train Simulator, the Virgin Trains BR Class 390 ‘Pendolino’ will arrive in Pro Range fashion, kitted out with extra details and features that make the experience all-more immersive. You will be able to take in the sights of Thomson Interactive’s stunning WCML Trent Valley route from a whole new perspective, leaning around every curve and racing past on the fast lines at 125mph.
Add this game-changing Virgin locomotive to your collection today and (thanks to the tilt) get a whole new angle on the WCML!
Included Scenarios
The Pendulum Swings
Full Tilt
The Pendo Leano
A Different Angle
Please Note:
WCML Trent Valley Route Add-On
is required, as a separate purchase, in order to play the scenarios featured in this add-on. Extra Quick Drive starting points have been added to
WCML Trent Valley Route Add-On
to provide access to the fast lines. These can be identified with the Virgin Trains prefix – [VT] – within the Quick Drive menu.
More scenarios are available on the Steam Workshop online and in-game. Train Simulator’s Steam Workshop scenarios are free and easy to download, adding many more hours of exciting gameplay. With scenarios being added daily, why don’t you check it out now!
Click here for Steam Workshop scenarios.
Key Features
Includes both the 9 and 11 vehicle consists of the Pendolino in Virgin Trains West Coast (Classic) Livery
Complete rebuild of the Pendolino from scratch including brand new exterior model, enhancement of the cab and passenger interior
Completely reworked traction and braking physics to more closely replicate the actual performance of Pendolino
Eco and Boost throttle modes
Reworked Speed Set to allow more accurate control over speed
AWS Brake Demand (Brake will remain on for a set time after failing to acknowledge AWS alarm)
Full headlight and marker light control including hazard lights
Optional DVD (Driver Vigilance Device)
DSD (Driver Safety Device)
Tilt Isolation feature (either via cab switch or via scenario scripting), with corresponding tilt alarm
Full Wiper Control (Intermittent, Slow and Fast)
Simplified form of TASS (Tilt Authorization and Speed Supervision)
Sanding only available during braking, and automatically applied via emergency braking
Four Challenging Career Scenarios for the WCML: Trent Valley Route
Quick Drive Compatible
Additional Virgin Trains Quick Drive starting points added to the
WCML Trent Valley Route Add-On
Download size: 163.1m
Train Sim Class 390 Manual
The Class 390 is a modern classic, and you can experience the speed of this powerful tilting express train from the driver’s seat in Train Simulator. The Class 390 is one of the fastest electric multiple units operating in Britain. The set can reach 140 mph, whilst featuring tilting train technology to allow higher speeds around bends. At present, the Class 390 operates along the West Coast Main Line and is well-known to commuters and railfans alike for its sleek looks and high performance. In 2006 a Class 390 set a new speed record along the West Coast Main Line, completing the 401-mile trip from London to Glasgow in 3 hours and 55 minutes, and in usual operation the sets will run up to 125mph where track conditions allow. The Class 390 for Train Simulator recreates the smooth high performance well-known to drivers on the West Coast Main Line, and features a realistic tilting function which mimics the action of the real thing.Includes: Class 390 tilting electric multiple unit in Crimson Lake, Navy & Orange and Intercity Swallow liveries A complete train is made up of the following vehicles:
Driving Motor Second Open
Motor Second Open
Pantograph Trailer Second Restaurant / Mini Buffet
Motor Second Open
Trailer Second Open
Motor First Open
Pantograph Trailer First Open
Motor First Open Disabled
Driving Motor Restaurant First Open
Train Sim Class 390 Price
Speed of 125mph (201km/h) meaning Class 390 Pendolinos and Class 221 Super Voyagers can make the journey in a little over five hours. It is also one of the busiest freight routes in Europe, carrying more than 40% of all UK rail freight traffic. The Trent Valley Line was opened in 1847 to give a more direct route from London to the. Train Simulator Liveries. Showing 1–16 of 22 results. Class 390 Avanti West Coast. Rated 4.50 out of 5. Read more; Class 442 South West Trains.