Carlisle train station was just one of the many stations to receive a makeover this weekend, ahead of today’s official launch of a new west coast main line rail operator.

Avanti West Coast, a joint partnership between First Rail and Italian company Trenitalia, is from today the operator of the west coast mainline rail route, replacing Virgin Trains after 22 years.

The route, which runs from London Euston, through Birmingham, Manchester, then up through Carlisle and on to finally to Glasgow, is one of the key backbones of the national rail network.

Trains running on the line will now bear the Avanti West Coast logo, as will the train stations under the company’s management, including Carlisle train station.

Steve Montgomery, managing director of First Rail said: “We’re delighted to start serving the customers who take 40 million journeys every year on the west coast.”

Orazio Iacono, managing director of Trenitalia said: “The name Avanti was chosen to represent our values and recognises our 10 year experience in the high speed in Italy with 350 million passengers.”