:Virgin Trains
{{About|the former operator of the InterCity West Coast franchise|other uses|Virgin Trains (disambiguation)}}
{{short description|British train operating company (1997–2019)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}}
{{Use British English|date=November 2015}}
{{Infobox rail company
|name= Virgin Trains
|abbr= VT
|image= 390045 Abington.jpg
|image_size=
|caption = Virgin Pendolino 390045 set heads from Glasgow to Euston in the Upper Clyde Valley
|franchise= {{ubl|InterCity West Coast|9 March 1997 – {{nowrap|7 December 2019}}}}
|logo_filename= VirginTrainsLogo.svg
|nameforarea= route
|regions= {{ubl|London{{ndash}}Glasgow and Edinburgh|London{{ndash}}Liverpool|London{{ndash}}West Midlands|London{{ndash}}Chester|London{{ndash}}Manchester}}
|secregions= {{ubl|London{{ndash}}Holyhead|London{{ndash}}Shrewsbury|London{{ndash}}Wrexham|London{{ndash}}Blackpool}}
|fleet= 56 {{ubl|Class 390 Pendolino sets|20 Class 221 Super Voyager sets}}
|stations= 46
|stationsop= 15
|parent_company= {{ubl|Virgin Rail Group|Virgin Group (51%)|Stagecoach (49%)}}
|website=
|predecessor= InterCity
|successor= Avanti West Coast
}}
Virgin Trains (VT) (legal name West Coast Trains Limited)[http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/03007940 Companies House extract company no 3007940] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140414112527/http://data.companieshouse.gov.uk/doc/company/03007940 |date=14 April 2014 }} West Coast Trains Limited was a train operating company in the United Kingdom owned by Virgin Rail Group, a joint venture between Virgin Group and Stagecoach, which operated the InterCity West Coast franchise from 9 March 1997 to 7 December 2019. The franchise covered long-distance passenger services on the West Coast Main Line between London, the West Midlands, North West England, North Wales and southern Scotland, consequently connecting six of the UK's largest cities: London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Glasgow and Edinburgh, which have a combined metropolitan population of over 18 million. It had around 3,400 employees in 2015.
The Virgin Trains brand was also used on the legally and operationally separate Virgin Trains East Coast from 2015 until 2018, and previously on Virgin CrossCountry, which operated between 1997 and 2007, as well as from 2018 to 2020 by Virgin Trains USA in Florida.
The contract expired on 7 December 2019 (having been originally scheduled for expiry in March 2020) and Virgin did not contest losing the franchise after its joint venture partner, Stagecoach, was disqualified due to an invalid bid in April 2019..{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/apr/10/stagecoach-barred-from-rail-franchise-bids-over-pensions-row |title=Branson: Virgin trains will vanish from UK after Stagecoach ban |date=10 April 2019 |work=The Guardian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218210713/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2019/apr/10/stagecoach-barred-from-rail-franchise-bids-over-pensions-row |archive-date=18 December 2019 |access-date=10 April 2019}}
History
File:Stagecoach and Virgin Trains structure.svg
File:87029 & 221108 at Stafford.jpg at Stafford in 2002]]
Amid the privatisation of British Rail during the mid 1990s, the newly-formed Virgin Rail Group submitted multiple bids to operate several different train franchises, including Gatwick Express, InterCity CrossCountry and InterCity West Coast.[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/national-express-wins-gatwick-rail-franchise-1303118.html "National Express wins Gatwick rail franchise"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225180748/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/national-express-wins-gatwick-rail-franchise-1303118.html |date=25 December 2018 }} The Independent 4 April 1996 It was successful in winning the latter two, leading to Virgin CrossCountry and Virgin West Coast (commonly referred to as Virgin Trains) commencing operations in January and March 1997 respectively.[https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/virgin-to-run-crosscountry-trains-1352306.html "Virgin to run CrossCountry trains"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107055841/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/virgin-to-run-crosscountry-trains-1352306.html |date=7 November 2017 }} The Independent 14 November 1996{{cite news |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/virgin-pledges-tilt-trains-for-west-coast-1286084.html |title=Virgin pledges tilt trains for West Coast |first=Michael |last=Harrison |date=31 January 1997|work=The Independent |access-date=4 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820034655/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/virgin-pledges-tilt-trains-for-west-coast-1286084.html |archive-date=20 August 2017}}
One of Virgin's franchise commitments was to replace the British Rail-era locomotives and rolling stock inherited by Virgin West Coast with brand new tilting trains..{{cite web |url= http://www.samathieson.com/bigtrain.htm |publisher= Mathieson, SA |date= March 2002 |title= Full tilt: Virgin's 140mph Pendolino trains |access-date=13 May 2011 |archive-date=27 September 2013 |url-status= live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130927124004/http://www.samathieson.com/bigtrain.htm }} It was expected that the Pendolinos would run at service speeds of up to {{cvt|140|mph|0|abbr=on}} and that the whole fleet would be delivered by May 2002.{{cite magazine |last=Knight |first=Stephen |url=https://railm.blob.core.windows.net/website/1/rail-archive/rail-345.pdf |title=Virgin's first West Coast tilt train 'on test by July 2000' |magazine=Rail |publisher=EMAP Apex Publications |issn=0953-4563 |oclc=49953699 |date=2 December 1998 |issue=345 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180520054904/https://railm.blob.core.windows.net/website/1/rail-archive/rail-345.pdf |archive-date=20 May 2018 |url-status=live |access-date=13 November 2011 }}{{cite magazine |url=http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/pendolino-to-attack-the-london-manchester-market.html |url-access=registration |title=Pendolino to attack the London - Manchester market |last=Hughes |first=Murray |magazine=Railway Gazette International |publisher=DVV Media Group |issn=0373-5346 |location=Sutton |date=1 February 2003 |access-date=13 November 2019 |archive-date=28 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190728172847/https://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/pendolino-to-attack-the-london-manchester-market.html |url-status=live }} In order for tilting trains to be operated, Railtrack had committed itself to upgrading the West Coast Main Line as to permit 140 mph operation by 2005. The line's modernisation was slowed by spiralling costs, rising from an estimated £2 billion to roughly £10 billion,{{cite web |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/565507.stm |title = Repair costs spiral to £5bn |publisher = BBC News |date = 15 December 1999 |url-status = live |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131110021245/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/565507.stm |archive-date = 10 November 2013 |df = dmy-all}} while the programme had failures that were technical as well as managerial, such as the moving block signalling apparatus being immature for such a busy mixed-traffic mainline.{{cite web |url = https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2004/apr/01/transport.uk |title = The main players in the £10bn rail fiasco |work = The Guardian |first = James |last = Meek |date = 1 April 2004 }}{{Cite web |title = The Modernisation of the West Coast Main Line |url = https://www.nao.org.uk/report/the-modernisation-of-the-west-coast-main-line/ |access-date = 21 July 2021 |website = National Audit Office |date = 22 November 2006 |language = en-gb |archive-date = 21 July 2021 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210721150856/https://www.nao.org.uk/report/the-modernisation-of-the-west-coast-main-line/ |url-status = live}} Railtrack would ultimately collapse while its successor, Network Rail, would also be unable to fully deliver the promised upgrade, heavily impacting Virgin West Coast's operations.{{cite web |last = Christian |first = Wolmar |work = The Guardian |date = 16 July 2005 |url = https://www.theguardian.com/comment/story/0,3604,1529802,00.html |title = Forget Byers: the scandal was in the original sell-off: Railtrack was heading for disaster long before the Hatfield crash}}{{cite web |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200203/cmselect/cmtran/125/125ap10.htm |title=Supplementary memorandum by the Strategic Rail Authority |publisher=House of Commons |date=22 July 2002}} The upgrade programme would be cut back: as a result, the top speed was reduced to 125 mph.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/1437012/West-Coast-railway-upgrade-under-threat.html |title=West Coast railway upgrade under threat |date=24 July 2003 |newspaper=The Telegraph |access-date=31 March 2020}}
Virgin Trains' franchise was originally due to expire in March 2012. During mid 2009, Virgin founder Richard Branson launched a campaign to have the next franchise period extended for 20 to 30 years, so that Virgin could spend more on infrastructure and see a return on its investment.{{cite news |url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/874d0afe-44cb-11de-82d6-00144feabdc0.html |title=Branson urges £1bn rail spend |date=20 May 2009 |access-date=25 May 2009 |newspaper=Financial Times |location=London |first=Robert |last=Wright |archive-date=26 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090626011646/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/874d0afe-44cb-11de-82d6-00144feabdc0.html |url-status=live }} Branson said the journey time between London and Birmingham could be reduced by 22 minutes to under one hour. This approach was turned down by the Department for Transport. Virgin proceeded to apply for a two-year extension, but this was also ruled out by the Department of Transport on legal grounds.{{cite news |title=No extension for Virgin |first=Roger |last=Ford |author-link=Roger Ford (journalist) |work=Modern Railways |page=7 |date=November 2010}}
In January 2011, the Department for Transport called for expressions of interest in bidding for the next InterCity West Coast franchise.[http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/intercity-west-coast-franchise/ojeunotice.pdf Official Journal of the European Union Notice] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606091753/http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/intercity-west-coast-franchise/ojeunotice.pdf |date=6 June 2013 }} OJEU 11 January 2011 In March 2011, the Department announced that Abellio, FirstGroup, Keolis/SNCF and Virgin Rail Group had been shortlisted to bid for the franchise.{{cite press release |url= http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/intercity-west-coast-franchise/franchisebidders.pdf |title= Shortlisted Bidders for Greater Anglia and InterCity West Coast Franchises |publisher= Department for Transport |date= 24 March 2011 |access-date= 6 June 2013 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20130606094818/http://assets.dft.gov.uk/publications/intercity-west-coast-franchise/franchisebidders.pdf |archive-date= 6 June 2013 |url-status= dead |df= dmy-all }} In May 2011, the Secretary of State for Transport announced that the end date had been postponed to allow the recommendations in the McNulty Report to be absorbed.{{cite web |url = https://www.theguardian.com/business/2011/may/15/west-coast-sale-delayed |title = Transport minister Philip Hammond delays Virgin Trains' west coast sale |publisher = The Observer |date = 15 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161201212828/https://www.theguardian.com/business/2011/may/15/west-coast-sale-delayed |archive-date=1 December 2016 }} In October 2011, the Department announced that Virgin had been granted a franchise extension until December 2012.{{cite press release |url= http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20111027b/ |title= West Coast passengers in line for 28,000 extra seats as franchise extension signed |publisher= Department for Transport |date= 27 October 2011 |access-date= 16 September 2012 |archive-date= 25 September 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120925065727/http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20111027b/ |url-status= live }}
An Invitation to tender was issued to the shortlisted bidders in January 2012,{{cite press release |url= http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/rail-passenger-franchise-intercity-west-coast/ |title= InterCity West Coast franchise |publisher= Department for Transport |date= 20 January 2012 |access-date= 17 September 2012 |archive-date= 25 September 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120925020420/http://www.dft.gov.uk/publications/rail-passenger-franchise-intercity-west-coast/ |url-status= live }} and the Department for Transport awarded FirstGroup the new franchise in August 2012.{{cite press release |url= http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20120815a/ |title= New operator for West Coast passengers |publisher= Department for Transport |date= 15 August 2012 |access-date= 9 November 2012 |archive-date= 31 October 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121031022300/http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20120815a/ |url-status= live }} Virgin spoke out against this decision, claiming that the methodology used to award the franchise was flawed, while Richard Branson stated that it was unlikely Virgin would bid for any future franchises.{{cite web |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/9476519/Richard-Branson-attacks-Government-insanity-after-Virgin-Trains-loses-West-Coast-rail-contract.html |title = Richard Branson attacks Government 'insanity' after Virgin loses West Coast contract |publisher = The Daily Telegraph |date = 15 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170901124554/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/9476519/Richard-Branson-attacks-Government-insanity-after-Virgin-Trains-loses-West-Coast-rail-contract.html |archive-date=1 September 2017 }}{{cite web |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19264614 |title = Virgin Trains loses West Coast Mainline franchise |publisher = BBC News |date = 15 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180819211411/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-19264614 |archive-date=19 August 2018 }} When the DfT did not directly respond to Virgin's concerns, the operator launched proceedings for a judicial review.{{cite web |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19402133 |title = Virgin Trains takes West Coast Main Line court action |publisher = BBC News |date = 28 August 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928103340/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19402133 |archive-date=28 September 2018 }}
During October 2012, the Secretary of State announced that the government was cancelling the franchise competition for the InterCity West Coast franchise after discovering significant technical flaws in the way the franchise process was conducted, reversing the decision to award it to FirstGroup. Following an independent review of the franchising process, a fresh competition would be held.{{cite press release |url= http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20121003a |title= West Coast Main Line franchise competition cancelled |publisher= Department for Transport |date= 3 October 2012 |access-date= 2 October 2012 |archive-date= 10 October 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121010151357/http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/dft-press-20121003a/ |url-status= live }} The government announced that it would negotiate with Virgin Trains to run the InterCity West Coast franchise for a further 9 to 13 months.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19944782 "Virgin to run West Coast route 'for at least nine months'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180822022018/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19944782 |date=22 August 2018 }}. BBC News. 15 October 2012.{{cite press release |url= http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/press-dft-20121015a/ |title= Department for Transport to negotiate with Virgin on temporary operation of West Coast rail services |publisher= Department for Transport |date= 15 October 2012 |access-date= 16 October 2012 |archive-date= 17 October 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121017232908/http://www.dft.gov.uk/news/press-releases/press-dft-20121015a |url-status= live }} In December 2012, Virgin was awarded a 23-month management contract to run the franchise until 9 November 2014.{{cite press release |url= https://www.gov.uk/government/news/virgin-trains-to-run-improved-west-coast-services |title= Virgin Trains to run improved west coast services |publisher= Department for Transport |date= 6 December 2012 |access-date= 8 December 2012 |archive-date= 7 December 2012 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121207154634/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/virgin-trains-to-run-improved-west-coast-services |url-status= live }}{{cite web |url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/9725897/Two-year-extension-for-Virgin-Rail-after-West-Coast-chaos.html |title = Two-year extension for Virgin Rail after West Coast chaos |publisher = The Daily Telegraph |date = 5 December 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225175411/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/9725897/Two-year-extension-for-Virgin-Rail-after-West-Coast-chaos.html |archive-date=25 December 2018 }}
In March 2013, the Secretary of State announced that the franchise would again be extended until 31 March 2017.[https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/franchise-announcement "Railway plan puts new focus on passengers"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130813220726/https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/franchise-announcement |date=13 August 2013 }}. Secretary of State for Transport. 26 March 2013. During May 2013, there was a controversy regarding new uniforms, with claims that the blouses were too revealing and potentially exposed dark bras to the public. Virgin Rail Group responded to this by offering a voucher worth £20 to allow employees to purchase a top to wear underneath the new blouses.{{cite web |title=Bra wars: Virgin Trains in row over see-through uniforms |url=https://www.aol.co.uk/2013/05/08/virgin-trains-staff-bra-vouchers-see-through-uniforms/ |publisher=AOL Travel UK |access-date=22 August 2013 |date=8 May 2013 |archive-date=19 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919211156/https://www.aol.co.uk/2013/05/08/virgin-trains-staff-bra-vouchers-see-through-uniforms/ |url-status=live}}
In July 2013, the Office of Rail Regulation rejected an application by Virgin Trains to operate new services to Shrewsbury and Blackpool North, citing capacity constraints on the West Coast Main Line.[http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/wct-4sa-decision-letter-2013-07-31.pdf West Coast Trains Limited 4th Supplemental Agreement]{{Dead link|date=February 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Office of Rail Regulation 31 July 2013 In November 2013, a revised application for services to Shrewsbury and Blackpool North was approved, and the services started in December 2014.{{cite press release |url= http://www.virgintrains.com/about/media-room/#/pressreleases/update-direct-london-shrewsbury-rail-services-949231 |title= Update: Direct London-Shrewsbury rail services |publisher= Virgin Trains |date= 15 January 2014 |access-date= 16 January 2014 |archive-date= 16 January 2014 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20140116132849/http://www.virgintrains.com/about/media-room/#/pressreleases/update-direct-london-shrewsbury-rail-services-949231 |url-status= live }}
During November 2016, the franchise was further extended until March 2019.{{cite web |url=http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/major-franchise-combines-wcml-services-with-hs2-in-seamless-integration |title=Franchise combines WCML services with HS2 in 'seamless integration' |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218211035/http://www.railtechnologymagazine.com/Rail-News/major-franchise-combines-wcml-services-with-hs2-in-seamless-integration |archive-date=18 December 2019}} In February 2018, the contract was yet again extended until March 2019, with an option to extend it further to March 2020.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42945709 |title=Stagecoach to lose East Coast Mainline rail franchise |date=5 February 2018 |work=BBC News |access-date=5 February 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218211317/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-42945709 |archive-date=18 December 2019}} In March 2018, it was announced that the contract would end in September 2019 when the new West Coast Partnership franchise would commence.{{cite news |url=http://buyingbusinesstravel.com/news/2728607-government-launches-bidding-west-coast-franchise |title=Government launches bids for West Coast franchise |date=27 March 2018 |access-date=27 March 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218211149/https://buyingbusinesstravel.com/news/2728607-government-launches-bidding-west-coast-franchise/ |archive-date=18 December 2019 |publisher=Buying Business Travel}}
In December 2018, it was announced that Virgin Trains had been granted a one-year extension until March 2020.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/dec/23/virgin-trains-extension-west-coast-mainline-march-2020 |title=Virgin Trains gets one-year extension to run west coast mainline |date=23 December 2018 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=24 December 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218211416/https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/dec/23/virgin-trains-extension-west-coast-mainline-march-2020 |archive-date=18 December 2019}} In April 2019, Stagecoach revealed that it had been disqualified from the franchises it was bidding for, including the West Coast Partnership.{{cite web |url = https://www.railjournal.com/passenger/main-line/stagecoach-disqualified-from-bidding-for-three-british-franchises/ |title = Stagecoach disqualified from bidding for three British franchises |publisher = International Railway Journal |date = 10 April 2019}}{{cite web |url = https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/virgin-trains-end-franchise-rail-lose-bid-pensions-london-euston-edinburgh-a8862811.html |title = Virgin Trains to disappear in less than a year due to pensions row |work = The Independent |date = 10 April 2019 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190410105815/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/virgin-trains-end-franchise-rail-lose-bid-pensions-london-euston-edinburgh-a8862811.html |archive-date = 10 April 2019 }} One month later, the company announced that it would mount a legal challenge to its disqualification.{{cite news |url = https://www.bbc.com/news/business-48393911 |title = Stagecoach takes legal action over West Coast franchise |work = BBC News |date = 24 May 2019}} On 17 June 2020, the High Court ruled against the company and that the decision had been lawful.{{cite web |url = https://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/procurement-and-contracts/402-procurement-news/44043-decision-to-disqualify-bidders-from-rail-franchise-procurements-was-lawful-high-court |title = Decision to disqualify bidders from rail franchise procurements was lawful: High Court |publisher = localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk |date = 17 June 2020}}{{cite web |url = https://www.cips.org/supply-management/news/2020/june/stagecoach-disappointed-by-high-court-ruling-on-rail-bid-ban/ |title = Stagecoach 'disappointed' by High Court ruling on rail bid ban |publisher = Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply |first = Charlie |last = Hart |date = 18 June 2020 |access-date = 14 August 2023 |archive-date = 3 July 2022 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220703214632/https://www.cips.org/supply-management/news/2020/june/stagecoach-disappointed-by-high-court-ruling-on-rail-bid-ban/ |url-status = dead }}
In August 2019, it was announced that the Inter-City West Coast franchise had been awarded to Avanti West Coast, thus confirming that Virgin Trains would cease to operate trains after 7 December 2019.{{cite news |url=https://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/FGP/14187853.html |title=Firstgroup and Trenitalia Welcome West Coast Partnership Award |date=14 August 2019 |work=London Stock Exchange|access-date=14 August 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218211517/https://www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market-news-detail/FGP/14187853.html |archive-date=18 December 2019}}{{Cite web |url = https://www.gov.uk/cma-cases/first-rail-holdings-trenitalia-uk-west-coast-partnership-rail-franchise |title = First Rail Holdings & Trenitalia UK / West Coast Partnership Rail Franchise |website = GOV.UK |access-date = 27 October 2019}} The final Virgin Trains service was the 21:42 service from London Euston to Wolverhampton arriving at 23:45.
Services
File:Virgin Class 390, 390013 "Virgin Spirit", Stoke-on-Trent railway station (geograph 4019564).jpg at Stoke-on-Trent ]]
File:Virgin trains 221113 glasgow.jpg at Glasgow Central]]
In May 1998, Virgin introduced two new services from London Euston, to {{rws|Shrewsbury}} and to {{rws|Blackpool North}}. The former ceased in 1999, the latter in May 2003.{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20121129140415/http://www.therailwaycentre.com/Nemeplates/P.html Pride of Shrewsbury]}} The Encyclopedia of Modern Traction Names{{cite magazine |magazine = Rail |location= Peterborough |issue= 462 |date= 28 May 2003 |page=14}}{{Full citation needed|date=May 2023}} In December 2014, a daily weekday service between London Euston and Blackpool North and a twice daily service between London Euston and Shrewsbury were reintroduced. This was increased to four trains per day in the May 2018 timetable.
On 23 July 2002, the first elements of the new fleet of Pendolino tilting trains were introduced into passenger services from {{stnlnk|Birmingham International}} to {{stn|Manchester Piccadilly}}, intentionally coinciding with the opening of the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.{{cite magazine |url= http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/virgin-pendolino-starts.html |url-access=registration |title=Virgin Pendolino starts |magazine=Railway Gazette International |location= London |date=1 September 2002 |archive-date=28 March 2017 |access-date=18 November 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20170328105354/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/virgin-pendolino-starts.html |url-status=live}}
In September 2004, a London Euston to {{rws|Llandudno}} service was introduced, but it ceased in December 2008.[http://www.greatorme.org.uk/VirginTrains.html Virgin Trains Restore London to Llandudno Daily Service] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120716185128/http://www.greatorme.org.uk/VirginTrains.html |date=16 July 2012 }} greatorme.org.uk
In September 2005, Virgin introduced its first {{convert|125|mph|adj=on}} timetable following the completion of Stage 1 of the upgrade.
In December 2007, as part of a reshuffle of rail franchises by the Department for Transport, services from {{rws|Birmingham New Street}} to {{rws|Edinburgh Waverley}} and {{rws|Glasgow Central}} via {{rws|Crewe}} were transferred from the CrossCountry franchise to the InterCity West Coast franchise.{{cite web |url= http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/archive/2006/nccfc/rosscountryfranchisecons1747.pdf |title=New Cross Country Franchise Consultation Document |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090902212909/http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/archive/2006/nccfc/rosscountryfranchisecons1747.pdf |archive-date=2 September 2009 |publisher= Department for Transport |date=June 2006}}
In December 2008, a {{rws|Wrexham General}} to London Euston service was introduced, operating south in the morning with an evening return.{{cite press release |url= http://mediaroom.virgintrains.co.uk/2008/12/wrexham-joins-virgin-trains-network_8275.html |archive-url= https://archive.today/20130505092133/http://mediaroom.virgintrains.co.uk/2008/12/wrexham-joins-virgin-trains-network_8275.html |url-status= dead |archive-date= 5 May 2013 |title= Wrexham joins the Virgin network |publisher= Virgin Trains |date= 15 December 2008 }}Rail Magazine Issue 586 27 February 2008 Page 11
In February 2009, an hourly London Euston to {{rws|Chester}} service was introduced.
From January 2009, Virgin Trains gradually rolled out a new "very high frequency" timetable to take advantage of the completed West Coast Main Line upgrade.
There were timetable changes from 8 December 2013. Trains between Edinburgh/Glasgow and London would call at Sandwell & Dudley, replacing the hourly Wolverhampton to Euston service.[http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/virgin-trains-boosts-birmingham-scotland-services Virgin Trains boosts Birmingham - Scotland services] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220100813/http://www.businesstraveller.com/news/virgin-trains-boosts-birmingham-scotland-services |date=20 December 2013 }} Business Traveller 29 May 2013 In addition most Liverpool services additionally called at Crewe.
Performance
=Passenger numbers=
File:VTWC passenger numbers.png
Image:390001 Standard Class Interior.jpg
| class="wikitable sortable" style="padding:0.5em;"
|+ Annual Passenger Numbers{{cite web|url=https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/displayreport/html/html/c7cf70e5-0514-44be-8ecd-0f1c89074cef|title=Virgin Trains West Coast|publisher=Office of Rail and Road|access-date=15 November 2015|archive-date=30 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130194443/https://dataportal.orr.gov.uk/Error.html?aspxerrorpath=/displayreport/html/html/c7cf70e5-0514-44be-8ecd-0f1c89074cef|url-status=live}}{{Fix|text=needs updating}} | ||||
| rowspan=2| {{center|Year}}
! colspan=2| Passengers ! colspan=2| Passenger-kilometres | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (millions)
! % Change ! (millions) ! % Change | ||||
| style="background:#eee;"
|2010–2011 | 28.9 | 5,698.8 | ||
| style="background:#eee;"
|2011–2012 | 30.2 | {{increase}}4.5 | 5,923.0 | {{increase}}3.9 |
| style="background:#eee;"
|2012–2013 | 30.4 | {{increase}}0.7 | 5,958.4 | {{increase}}0.6 |
| style="background:#eee;"
|2013-2014 | 31.9 | {{increase}}4.9 | 6,215.4 | {{increase}}4.3 |
| style="background:#eee;"
|2014-2015 | 34.5 | {{increase}}8.2 | 6,887.9 | {{increase}}10.8 |
| style="background:#eee;"
|2015-2016 | 35.7 | {{increase}}3.5 | 7,059.8 | {{increase}}2.5 |
=Punctuality=
Virgin Trains suffered poor punctuality compared with some other transport operators between 2001 and 2006, according to Office of Rail Regulation statistics. Punctuality did gradually improve until the introduction of a new timetable (in December 2008), following the upgrade of the West Coast Main Line, which resulted in a dip in performance.{{cite news |author= |title='Glitch' on West Coast main line |publisher=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7783157.stm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218211741/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/7783157.stm |archive-date=18 December 2019}} Performance subsequently recovered and peaked during 2010–11, but then fell again and reached a new low for the year ending 31 March 2013 of 83.6% (MAA).{{cite web|url=http://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/News-Releases/7425/National-train-performance-for-period-13-is-91-4|title=Rail performance results period 13|publisher=Network Rail}}{{Dead link|date=October 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
The PPM MAA (Public performance measure Moving Annual Average - % of trains arriving within 10 minutes of the scheduled times) figures for Virgin Trains are as follows:
Latest figures published by Network Rail for the seventh period of 2013-2014 recorded PPM of 92.2% for the period and a MAA of 83.5% for the 12 months up to 12 October 2013.{{cite web | title = Rail performance results period 7 | url = http://www.networkrail.co.uk/about/performance/ | publisher = Network Rail | access-date = 26 December 2012 | archive-date = 8 December 2015 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151208114925/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/about/performance/ | url-status = dead }} The PPM performance for the period is down 2.7 percentage points on the corresponding figure from the same period last year. Network Rail noted that Virgin Trains were only responsible for 16% of delays in period 5. Network Rail was itself directly responsible for 50% of Virgin Trains' delays, 20% were a result of external factors (e.g. fatalities) and the final 14% were due to other operators.
Chris Green as chief executive{{cite news |first=Philip |last=Thornton |title=The Player: Chris Green, Chief Executive of Virgin Rail: Right man to tackle 'mission impossible' |work=The Independent |access-date=6 June 2009 |date=17 February 1999 |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/the-player-chris-green-chief-executive-of-virgin-rail-right-man-to-tackle-mission-impossible-1071327.html |archive-date=3 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103021657/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/the-player-chris-green-chief-executive-of-virgin-rail-right-man-to-tackle-mission-impossible-1071327.html |url-status=live }}{{cite book|last=Balmforth|first=John|title=Virgin Trains: a decade of progress |location=London |publisher=Ian Allan |year=2007 |isbn=978-0-7110-3224-8}} led a drive to improve reliability and punctuality after much press criticism in 2001, and by 2006, due to improved reliability of trains and completion of major infrastructure projects, performance was better. Virgin has undertaken a number of projects to increase punctuality, including radio-controlled watches.{{cite press release |title=Virgin Trains goes Atomic |url=http://www.virgintrainsmediaroom.com/index.cfm?articleid=831 |date=28 February 2006 |publisher=Virgin Trains |access-date=2 January 2007 |archive-date=16 October 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061016072731/http://www.virgintrainsmediaroom.com/index.cfm?articleid=831 |url-status=live }}
Grayrigg derailment
{{Main|Grayrigg derailment|}}
File:VirginPendolinoDerailment.jpg
On 23 February 2007, a Class 390 Pendolino "City of Glasgow" forming the 17:15 London Euston to Glasgow Central service derailed in the village of Grayrigg in Cumbria.{{cite news |title=Train crashes in Lake District |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6391633.stm |date=23 February 2007 |access-date=23 February 2007 |work=BBC News Online |archive-date=25 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070225082151/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/6391633.stm |url-status=live }} The train was carrying 109 people. Several carriages were left lying on the railway embankments. An elderly woman was killed in the derailment. Five people were seriously injured. The accident was caused by a faulty set of points and Network Rail accepted full responsibility.{{cite news |title=Rail crash report blames points |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6398057.stm |date=26 February 2007 |work=BBC News Online |access-date=26 February 2007 |archive-date=28 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070228094621/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6398057.stm |url-status=live }} The train itself was widely praised for the way it retained its structural integrity. Branson also praised the driver for attempting to stop the train and not leaving the cab before it derailed.
Rolling stock
=Final fleet=
| class="wikitable" |
| style="background:#f9f9f9;"
! rowspan="2" | Class ! rowspan="2" |Image ! rowspan="2" | Type ! colspan="2" | Top speed ! rowspan="2" | Carriages ! rowspan="2" | Number ! rowspan="2" | Built |
| style="background:#f9f9f9;"
! mph ! km/h |
| rowspan="2"|221 Super Voyager
|rowspan="2"|130x130px |rowspan="2"|DEMU |125 |200 |5 |20 |2001–2028 |
| colspan="5"|616x616px |
| rowspan="3" |390/0 & 390/1 Pendolino
| rowspan="3" |130x130px | rowspan="3" |EMU |rowspan="2"|140 |rowspan="2"|225 |9 |21 |rowspan="2"|2001–2004 |
| 11
|35 |
| colspan="5" |729x729px |
Virgin inherited a fleet of {{brc|86}}, {{brc|87}} and {{brc|90}}s hauling Mark 2 and Mark 3 carriages with Driving Van Trailers on its electrified services and High Speed Trains for London Euston to {{rws|Holyhead}} services.
A franchise commitment was the replacement of these trains with new tilting stock. In 1999 Virgin signed a deal to lease forty-four eight-carriage and nine nine-carriage Class 390 Pendolinos built by Alstom.[http://www.lococarriage.org.uk/virgin_trains.htm From Dream to Reality] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216034358/http://www.lococarriage.org.uk/virgin_trains.htm |date=16 December 2012 }} The Locomotive & Carriage Institution 8 November 2002 An option to extend all to nine carriages was enacted in 2002. The first entered service in January 2003. With the exception of services to Holyhead, the final locomotive hauled trains were withdrawn in June 2005.{{cite magazine |title= | magazine = Rail Magazine |issue=516 |date= 22 June 2005 |page=6}}{{Full citation needed|date=May 2023}}
To operate the {{rws|Holyhead}} services four four-carriage Class 221 Super Voyagers were included in the order placed by Virgin CrossCountry. By the time they were delivered it was decided these would be too short so they entered service with Virgin CrossCountry. In September 2004 the High Speed Trains were withdrawn with services being operated by a combination of five-carriage Class 221 Super Voyagers hired from Virgin CrossCountry and {{brc|47}} and {{brc|90}} hauled Mark 3 sets. From September 2005 Class 57/3s hauling Class 390 Pendolinos took over the locomotive hauled diagrams. This continued until December 2008 when five-carriage Class 221 Super Voyagers took over all services, with the exception of a Saturdays only Pendolino hauled by a Class 57/3 Locomotive (1D83 08:50 EUS-HHD/1A55 14:38 HHD-EUS). This ceased operation on Saturday 8 December 2012.
With the Class 390 Pendolinos needing modification in 2006, a First GBRf {{brc|87}} was hired to haul a Mark 3 set on {{rws|Birmingham New Street}} services.[http://www.aclocogroup.co.uk/history87.php Class 87 - History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120318074030/http://www.aclocogroup.co.uk/history87.php |date=18 March 2012 }} The AC Locomotive Group
To operate the {{rws|Birmingham New Street}} to Edinburgh and Glasgow services transferred from CrossCountry in December 2007, three four-carriage and thirteen five-carriage Class 221 Super Voyagers were transferred. A further five five-carriage Class 221 Super Voyagers followed in December 2008.{{cite magazine |title= | magazine = Rail Magazine |issue= 575 |date= 26 September 2007 |page=16}}{{Full citation needed|date=May 2023}}
In August 2008 Bombardier started a programme to rearrange the Class 221 Super Voyagers with the carriage containing the shop moved to adjoin the first class carriage and refurbished with 2+2 seats arranged more spaciously around tables. This allowed it to be used as a first class carriage on Holyhead services and as a standard class carriage at other times.{{cite magazine |title= | magazine = Rail Magazine |issue= 600 |date= 10 September 2008 |page=70}}{{Full citation needed|date=May 2023}}{{cite press release |url=http://mediaroom.virgintrains.co.uk/2009_02_01_archive.html |title=Super Voyager fleet refreshed - early |publisher=Virgin Trains |date=13 February 2009 |access-date=19 September 2012 |archive-date=22 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120722135853/http://mediaroom.virgintrains.co.uk/2009_02_01_archive.html |url-status=live }}
In December 2010 one four-carriage Class 221 Super Voyager was disbanded with the two centre carriages being inserted into the other four-carriage sets to give Virgin a fleet of twenty five-carriage Class 221 Super Voyagers.[http://www.rail-news.com/2010/11/16/virgin-to-eliminate-four-car-super-voyagers/ Virgin to eliminate four-car Super Voyagers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120724021117/http://www.rail-news.com/2010/11/16/virgin-to-eliminate-four-car-super-voyagers/ |date=24 July 2012 }} Rail-News 16 November 2010 The two end carriages are stored at Central Rivers depot.
To provide it with a fleet of locomotives for use on diversionary services during the West Coast Mainline upgrade and rescue duties, Virgin signed a deal with Porterbrook in March 2002 to rebuild twelve Class 47s as Class 57/3s with the first delivered in June 2002.{{cite magazine |title= | magazine = Rail Magazine |issue= 433 |date= 17 April 2002 |page=17}}{{Full citation needed|date=May 2023}} After it was decided they would operate daily services along the North Wales Coast to Holyhead, another four were ordered from Porterbrook.{{cite magazine |title= | magazine = Rail Magazine |issue= 468 |date= 20 August 2003 |page=62}}{{Full citation needed|date=May 2023}} Following the completion of the West Coast Main Line upgrade in 2008 their use fell and after being sublet to Arriva Trains Wales, Colas Rail and First GBRf, six were returned to Porterbrook in August 2011,[http://www.porterbrook.com/pages/corp2011.html#october11Class 57 Locomotive leased to Network Rail] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730165030/http://www.porterbrook.com/pages/corp2011.html#october11Class |date=30 July 2013 }} Porterbrook Leasing News 10 October 2011 three in April 2012[http://www.porterbrook.com/pages/corp2012.html#april12 Porterbrook has reached an agreement with Direct Rail Services for the lease of three Class 57 locomotives] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728201736/http://www.porterbrook.com/pages/corp2012.html#april12 |date=28 July 2012 }} Porterbrook Leasing News 4 April 2012 and the remaining seven in December 2012.
Virgin had long been angling for a franchise extension in return for ordering extra carriages for the Class 390 Pendolinos. The Department for Transport rejected this and instead placed an order itself with Alstom for 106 carriages allowing for four complete eleven-carriage sets and 31 sets to be extended by two carriages.{{cite magazine |title= | magazine = Rail Magazine |issue= 584 |date= 30 January 2008 |page=14}}{{Full citation needed|date=May 2023}}[https://archive.today/20130505140302/http://mediaroom.virgintrains.co.uk/2008/07/virgin-rail-group-welcomes-decision-on_3379.html Virgin Rail Group welcomes decision on longer Pendolino trains] Virgin Trains Press Release 31 July 2008 There was an option to extend the remaining 21 sets but this was allowed to lapse. The four new sets were delivered in 2010/12 with 31 sets later receiving extra carriages. This required a number of stations to have platforms lengthened.
Following the loss of a Class 390 Pendolino in the Grayrigg derailment, a Mark 3 set with a Driving Van Trailer was leased with a {{brc|90}} hired from English Welsh & Scottish as required. In 2008 Virgin looked at leasing two {{brc|180}}{{cite magazine |title= | magazine = Rail Magazine |issue= 591 |date= 7 May 2008 |page=64}}{{Full citation needed|date=May 2023}} but decided to retain the Mark 3 set. This received re-upholstered seating, power points, Wi-Fi and a full external re-paint at Wabtec, Doncaster in 2009. Virgin used this set with a Class 90 locomotive hired from Freightliner on a Euston to Crewe (via Birmingham) service on Fridays only until December 2012. From 9 December 2013 it was utilised to operate a London Euston-Birmingham New Street train on Thursdays and Fridays only, until its withdrawal in October 2014.
All seats on Class 221 Super Voyagers and Class 390 Pendolinos originally had an on-board audio entertainment system featuring a number of radio or pre-recorded music channels. This was disabled in March 2010"Please note: Virgin Trains onboard entertainment system no longer functions." [http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/assets/pdf/voucher/vt-headphones.pdf Headphones] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100820205927/http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/assets/pdf/voucher/vt-headphones.pdf |date=20 August 2010 }}, Virgin Trains.{{cite web |url=http://www.northernrailways.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=2921&start=0 |title=Data |publisher=northernrailways.co.uk |access-date=2019-12-30 |archive-date=3 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003090451/http://www.northernrailways.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=2921&start=0 |url-status=live }} and replaced with on-board Wi-Fi provided by EE.{{cite press release|url=http://mediaroom.virgintrains.co.uk/2009/11/virgin-trains-customers-get-on-board_210.html|title=Virgin Trains customers get on-board WiFi between Birmingham and Scotland|date=5 November 2009|publisher=Virgin Trains|access-date=5 October 2010|archive-date=17 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100517010121/http://mediaroom.virgintrains.co.uk/2009/11/virgin-trains-customers-get-on-board_210.html|url-status=live}}{{cite press release|url=http://mediaroom.virgintrains.co.uk/2009/11/oyez-oyez-virgin-trains-customers-get_4258.html|title=Virgin Trains customers get on-board WiFi from North Wales and Chester|publisher=Virgin Trains|date=5 November 2009|access-date=5 October 2010|archive-date=23 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523105617/http://mediaroom.virgintrains.co.uk/2009/11/oyez-oyez-virgin-trains-customers-get_4258.html|url-status=live}} The service was available free in first class, and for a charge (which varied depending on how long the passenger wished to use it for) in standard class.{{cite web|url=http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/trains/wi-fi/|title=Wi-Fi on Virgin Trains|publisher=Virgin Trains|access-date=24 October 2010|archive-date=30 October 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101030010740/http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/trains/wi-fi/|url-status=live}}
On 15 September 2015 it was announced that Virgin Trains were to rename Pendolino 390002 in memory of teenage fundraiser Stephen Sutton.{{cite web|url=http://dial2donate.org/virgin-trains-honour-teen-fundraiser-stephen-sutton/|title=Virgin Trains honour teen fundraiser Stephen Sutton|publisher=Dial2Donate|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218212519/http://dial2donate.org/virgin-trains-honour-teen-fundraiser-stephen-sutton/|archive-date=18 December 2019|access-date=15 September 2015}}
=Past fleet=
Former units operated by Virgin Trains include:
| class="wikitable" |
| style="background:#f9f9f9;"
! rowspan="2" | Class ! rowspan="2" |Image ! rowspan="2" | Type ! colspan="2" | Top speed ! rowspan="2" | Built ! rowspan="2" | Withdrawn |
| style="background:#f9f9f9;"
! mph ! km/h |
| Class 43
| rowspan="3" |Diesel-electric locomotive |125 |200 |1975{{ndash}}1982 |2003 |
| Class 47/8
| rowspan="2" |95 | rowspan="2" |153 |1962{{ndash}}1968 (converted into 47/8 1989) |2002 |
| Class 57/3
|1998{{ndash}}2004 |2012 |
| Class 86
| rowspan="3" |Electric Locomotive |100 |161 |1965{{ndash}}1966 |2003 |
| Class 87
| rowspan="2" |110 | rowspan="2" |177 |1973{{ndash}}1975 |2006 |
| Class 90
|1987{{ndash}}1990 |2004 |
| Mark 2 Coach
| rowspan="2" |Passenger Carriage |100 |160 |1964{{ndash}}1975 |2003 |
| rowspan=2|Mark 3 Carriage
| rowspan="4" |125 | rowspan="4" |200 |1975–1988 | rowspan="2" |2005 |
| 100px
|1988{{ndash}}1990 |
| rowspan=2|Mark 3{{cite press release | url = http://mediaroom.virgintrains.co.uk/2009/07/charter-train-potential-for-virgin_6628.html | title = Charter train potential for Virgin Trains' 'new-look' loco-hauled trainset | publisher = Virgin Trains | date = 1 July 2009 | access-date = 6 September 2010 | archive-date = 9 October 2011 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111009024218/http://mediaroom.virgintrains.co.uk/2009/07/charter-train-potential-for-virgin_6628.html | url-status = live }}
|1975{{ndash}}1988 | rowspan="2" |2014 |
| 100px
|1988{{ndash}}1990 |
Depots
The Class 390 fleet was allocated to the Alstom Traincare Centre at Longsight with lighter maintenance and overnight servicing carried out at Wembley, Oxley, Edge Hill and Polmadie depots. The Class 221 fleet was allocated to Bombardier's Central Rivers depot with lighter maintenance and overnight servicing carried out at Arriva TrainCare, Crewe, Holyhead and Polmadie.
West Coast Partnership
In November 2016, the government announced that the franchise would be replaced by a new franchise named the West Coast Partnership, which will include operating High Speed 2 (HS2). Services are planned to begin on the first phase of HS2 in 2026.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37869643 "New West Coast rail franchise to run HS2 services"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107060803/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-37869643 |date=7 November 2016 }}. BBC News. 4 November 2016. The Department for Transport requires that the new operator have experience in operating high-speed trains ({{convert|155|mph|abbr=on|}}) and infrastructure.[https://www.thetimes.com/uk/transport/article/wanted-superfast-mover-to-partner-virgin-and-stagecoach-for-hs2-ds809b7f6 "Wanted: Superfast mover to partner Virgin and Stagecoach for HS2]". The Times. London. 4 March 2017. {{subscription required}} [https://www.thetimes.com/uk/transport/article/wanted-superfast-mover-to-partner-virgin-and-stagecoach-for-hs2-ds809b7f6][http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/renfe-poised-to-join-virgins-hs2-franchise-bid.html "RENFE poised to join Virgin's HS2 franchise bid"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413175509/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/renfe-poised-to-join-virgins-hs2-franchise-bid.html |date=13 April 2017 }}. Railway Gazette International. London. 12 March 2017 The bid for the new franchise was led by Stagecoach holding a 50% holding, Virgin with 30% and the French national railway operator SNCF holding 20%.[http://www.stagecoach.com/media/news-releases/2017/2017-04-25.aspx "Stagecoach and Virgin to join forces with SNCF for West Coast Partnership Bid"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427095924/http://www.stagecoach.com/media/news-releases/2017/2017-04-25.aspx |date=27 April 2017 }} (Press release). Stagecoach. 25 July 2017.[http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/stagecoach-and-sncf-lead-virgin-branded-bid-for-hs2-operations.html "Stagecoach and SNCF lead Virgin-branded bid for HS2 operations"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170425162718/http://www.railwaygazette.com/news/single-view/view/stagecoach-and-sncf-lead-virgin-branded-bid-for-hs2-operations.html |date=25 April 2017 }}. Railway Gazette International. London. 25 July 2017. In April 2019 Stagecoach revealed that it had been disqualified from the franchises it was bidding for following a dispute with the DfT over pension liabilities. The disqualification occurred after the bidding deadline and as a result Virgin Trains would cease operations in March 2020.[https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/virgin-trains-end-franchise-rail-lose-bid-pensions-london-euston-edinburgh-a8862811.html "Virgin Trains to disappear in less than a year due to pensions row"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190410105815/https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/virgin-trains-end-franchise-rail-lose-bid-pensions-london-euston-edinburgh-a8862811.html |date=10 April 2019 }}. The Independent. London. 10 April 2019.
In August 2019, the First Trenitalia consortium was awarded the West Coast Partnership contract, with Avanti West Coast commencing in December 2019, thus ending Virgin Trains services after 22 years.
Operation
=Sponsorship=
Virgin Trains were Carlisle United F.C.'s travel sponsor for the 2013–14 season, and for the 2014–15 season they are the club's main shirt sponsor agreeing a further two-year deal.{{cite web|url=http://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/article/virgincrawley28april14-1517323.aspx|title=TRAVEL: First Class from Virgin Trains|date=28 April 2014|publisher=Carlisle United F.C.|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218212244/https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/2014/april/travel-first-class-from-virgin-trains/|archive-date=18 December 2019|access-date=29 April 2014}} On 5 August 2014 Virgin Trains also agreed to be the shirt sponsor of Preston North End F.C. on a two-year deal.{{cite web|url=http://www.pnefc.net/news/article/preston-north-end-agree-virgin-trains-partnership-050814-1804614.aspx|title=Preston North End Agree Virgin Trains Partnership|date=5 August 2014|publisher=Preston North End F.C|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218212331/https://www.pnefc.net/news/2014/august/preston-north-end-agree-virgin-trains-partnership/|archive-date=18 December 2019|access-date=4 March 2015}} Darlington Football Club were also sponsored by Virgin Trains, and the company has also sponsored events such as Manchester International Festival in 2013.{{cite web |url=http://www.virgin.com/travel/virgin-trains-sponsor-manchester-international-festival |title=Virgin Trains sponsor Manchester International Festival |date=10 June 2013 |access-date=29 April 2014 |archive-date=29 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140429221647/http://www.virgin.com/travel/virgin-trains-sponsor-manchester-international-festival |url-status=live }}
=Onboard entertainment=
In July 2016 the integrated infotainment system BEAM was provided on all trains by GoMedia, delivered directly to the passenger's own devices including mobile phones and tablets.{{cite web |author=Julian Glover |date=9 June 2016 |title=GoMedia extends to Virgin Trains |url=http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2016/06/09/gomedia-extends-to-virgin-trains/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218212153/https://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2016/06/09/gomedia-extends-to-virgin-trains/ |archive-date=18 December 2019 |website=broadbandtvnews.com}} The system has been described as 'the first in-train entertainment portal in the UK'.{{cite web |author=Thomas Flanagan |date=23 June 2016 |title=Maxdome content jumps onto trains, but on-board WiFi still hopeless |url=http://rethinkresearch.biz/articles/maxdome-content-jumps-onto-trains-board-wifi-still-hopeless/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202001037/http://rethinkresearch.biz/articles/maxdome-content-jumps-onto-trains-board-wifi-still-hopeless/ |archive-date=2 February 2017 |access-date=18 August 2016 |website=rethinkresearch.biz}} It offered premium movies from Hollywood studios, BBC Worldwide etc.
=Moderation of competition=
As a way of protecting the revenues of Virgin Trains to enable it to pay franchise premiums to the government to partly recoup the cost of the West Coast Main Line upgrade, the Office of Rail Regulation inserted a Moderation of Competition in Virgin's Track Access Agreement. Until its expiry in March 2012, this prevented any other train operating or open access companies operating services in competition that would abstract revenue.[http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/129-acc_rgts.pdf Model Clauses for Track Access Agreements: Access Rights and Moderation of Competition] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081006071437/http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/129-acc_rgts.pdf |date=6 October 2008 }} Office of the Rail Regulator June 2001
= Attempts to continue =
In November 2019, Virgin Trains submitted an open access operator application to the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) for paths to run trains from London Euston to Liverpool Lime Street with Class 221s once they were released by Avanti West Coast with services to begin in December 2022.{{cite web |url=https://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/42048/virgin-trains-limited-daft-track-access-contract-form.pdf |title=Contract form |date=27 November 2019 |publisher=orr.gov.uk |access-date=2019-12-30 |archive-date=23 December 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223232750/https://orr.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/42048/virgin-trains-limited-daft-track-access-contract-form.pdf |url-status=live }} In March 2020, Virgin withdrew its application for the service, citing uncertainty from the Williams Review of rail not having been published yet.{{cite web |url=https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/64836/virgin-withdraws-open-access-rail-bid |title=Virgin withdraws open access rail bid |publisher=transportxtra.com |date=2020-03-23 |access-date=2020-03-27 |archive-date=27 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327183332/https://www.transportxtra.com/publications/local-transport-today/news/64836/virgin-withdraws-open-access-rail-bid |url-status=live }}
In May 2024, Virgin Trains submitted an application to the ORR applying for paths from London Euston to Birmingham New Street, Manchester Victoria, Rochdale, Liverpool Lime Street and Glasgow Central.[https://www.virgin.com/about-virgin/virgin-group/news/virgin-group-applies-for-open-access-rail-paths Virgin Group applies for Open Access Rail Paths] Virgin Group 23 May 2024
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
Further reading
- {{cite magazine|title=He who cares wins!|first=Pip|last=Dunn|magazine=RAIL|issue=343|publisher=EMAP Apex Publications|date=4–17 November 1998|pages=30–35|issn=0953-4563|oclc=49953699}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20191204221300/https://www.virgintrains.co.uk/ Official website], archived in December 2019
- {{Commons category-inline|Virgin Trains}}
{{S-start}}
{{S-bef|rows=1|before=InterCity
As part of British Rail}}
{{s-ttl|title=Operator of InterCity West Coast franchise
|years=1997–2019}}
{{s-aft|after=Avanti West Coast
West Coast Partnership franchise}}
{{s-end}}
{{UK TOCs|defunct|state=collapsed}}
{{StagecoachGroup}}
{{Virgin Group}}
Category:Defunct train operating companies in the United Kingdom
Category:Railway companies established in 1997
Category:Railway companies disestablished in 2019
Category:Former Stagecoach Group rail services