Virgin Trains East Coast launch day

[alastair]

Just look at half the things that get 'shared' or 'liked' on mass. I see countless images of people/places misidentified with a totally made up story along with it in order to get support for something or get an opinion across, or just make money from adverts! It's worrying what people believe on Facebook! :-x

An example I saw recently.... "This Tesco *photo of random Tesco* at location X (not even a photo of the correct Tesco) just refused to serve Y cos they said it would offend Z, SHARE if you think this is an outrage and Tesco should be stripped of their franchise!"

Ok so the last bit was a joke but I saw exactly that the other day with LOADS of shares/likes and people thinking it was real!

Right...

Yes,agreed there are loads of stupid people around and as there are around 30m Facebook users in the UK then by the law of averages at least half of them will be Facebook users.

My point was that it seems patronising and ridiculous to condemn ALL facebook and twitter users as "gullible & easily duped" as the previous poster did.

Facebook and twitter are not going to go away,and any company such as VT will need to employ people to manage how their relationship with social media works. Those of us who have been around since before the days of "social media" may not like it,but we have to get used to it.

 

[Aldaniti]

Yes,agreed there are loads of stupid people around and as there are around 30m Facebook users in the UK then by the law of averages at least half of them will be Facebook users.

My point was that it seems patronising and ridiculous to condemn ALL facebook and twitter users as "gullible & easily duped" as the previous poster did.

Facebook and twitter are not going to go away,and any company such as VT will need to employ people to manage how their relationship with social media works. Those of us who have been around since before the days of "social media" may not like it,but we have to get used to it.

Oh dear :roll:

I was speaking generally and using some creative licence for effect. Clearly, not every Facebook or Twitter user is a fool.

 

[Dr_Intoxicated]

This weekend I did London Kings Cross return by VTEC. On both journeys the trains were clean and on time. The staff were friendly and there was a regular trolly service in standard class.

If they keep that up I am happy.

 

[dk1]

I wouldn't bank on it. The childish, bitter and twisted anti_Virgin brigade are in full cry on here now, just five days into the franchise. The usual "beardie" "Vermin" primary school insults are flying, just as they did during the WCML fiasco.

This is usually an excellent forum for intelligent debate on transport matters, as well as an invaluable source of informed comment and helpful information. Some of the comments on here are unworthy of the forum.

The ECML is being run by VTEC. People should grow up and suck it up, instead of making pettyfogging points about cooked breakfasts, and indulging dated nationalisation fantasies. If you don't like it , try a National Express coach or fly.

100% agree mate. Like it or lump it I say.

 

[Deerfold]

I wouldn't bank on it. The childish, bitter and twisted anti_Virgin brigade are in full cry on here now, just five days into the franchise. The usual "beardie" "Vermin" primary school insults are flying, just as they did during the WCML fiasco.

Yours appears to be the first use of "Vermin" or "Virmin" in this thread. The only previous use of "beardie" was by someone complaining about its use.

This is usually an excellent forum for intelligent debate on transport matters, as well as an invaluable source of informed comment and helpful information. Some of the comments on here are unworthy of the forum.

But many are pointing out where Virgin are spinning rather than being outright honest. I hope people would point that out on here for any TOC.

The ECML is being run by VTEC. People should grow up and suck it up, instead of making pettyfogging points about cooked breakfasts, and indulging dated nationalisation fantasies. If you don't like it , try a National Express coach or fly.

It is. I'm hoping it'll go well as I'm a regular traveller. So far, so good other than them trying to convince me that Nectar is an improvement.

 

[jon0844]

I got an email at 4am from Virgin...

1. New website address
We've got a new URL and red-hot look, but
everything else stays the same: your login details, the booking process, and the amazing prices!
virgintrainseastcoast.com

2. Our Price Promise
We guarantee you won't find Virgin Trains East Coast fares cheaper anywhere else. If you do, we'll match them and refund the difference. We're also reducing Standard Anytime fares by 10% on long-distance journeys to/from London from May 2015!
Price Promise

3. SUPER new trains
We're giving the existing fleet a huge £21m facelift to improve quality, comfort and reliability. Then from 2018, the 'Super Express' trains will start to arrive. Whoosh!

4. Nectar points
You can now collect Nectar points on every Virgin Trains East Coast ticket booked with us at virgintrainseastcoast.com
You can then even spend your points on our Advance tickets online – a rail industry first!

5. An even greater experience
We're talking improved on-board catering,
bean-to-cup coffee machines, free Wi-Fi at all
our stations, increased car and bike parking, a big
First Class Lounge refresh...

Point 3 was obvious. Virgin is giving us new 'super express' trains. Ooh, thank you Virgin!!

 

[khib70]

I got an email at 4am from Virgin...



Point 3 was obvious. Virgin is giving us new 'super express' trains. Ooh, thank you Virgin!!

Dear oh dear, straw-clutching or what. "Then from 2018, the 'Super Express' trains will start to arrive." where exactly does it say that Virgin are "giving us" these trains? They only (correctly) claim to be refurbishing the existing fleet.

There is indeed a lot of spin going on, but not from VTEC....

 

[jon0844]

If you think most people won't assume Virgin is building these trains and giving them to us then fair enough, but it's bloody obvious people WILL think that.

The number of people who misinterpret Thetrainline.com's advertising is ample proof.

Those that know the facts don't matter.

Of course, Virgin hasn't said anything wrong or lied - but relies on the ignorance of the reader.

(And, as I said, it was obvious they'd do it - just as anyone else would)

 

[Class377]

To be fair, if you were running a franchise when arguably one of the biggest programmes to introduce new modern trains were to come in, and you could subtly make the public think it was down to you, wouldn't you? It's good PR.

 

[jon0844]

Oh, of course. I am not saying Virgin is wrong - just highlighting that it's already doing it and will no doubt be doing it a lot more nearer the introduction time.

You wouldn't expect anything else, and there's no way Virgin is going to point out the reality that the trains would be happening whoever took over. In years to come, it will be important for people to think of Virgin Trains as the people that introduced new trains wherever they went.

Given these trains will be used on more than just VTEC, I wonder how they'll try and make sure that any testing is done in such a way that Virgin can show its trains as somehow separate and 'better' than those going elsewhere. I am sure it will want to put its livery on as quickly as possible and customise the interior.

 

[fairysdad]

If you think most people won't assume Virgin is building these trains and giving them to us then fair enough, but it's bloody obvious people WILL think that.

Aren't they arriving on the Great Western first though (whoever'll be running that come then)? I know that in their technical workings they're not the same trains, but won't they have the same basic appearance (though with GWs being shorter and diesel and ECs being longer and electric...)?

Of course, what VTEC could have done to increase the amount of spin on this matter would be to have the existing trains branded as Stagecoach, and when the IEPs arrive, have them branded as Virgin...

 

[jon0844]

I don't think Stagecoach wants to be seen as inferior in any way. Or indeed for Stagecoach to really be mentioned at all. That 10% Virgin stake is to use the Virgin brand, and Joe Public will think it's 100% Virgin.

I doubt many people on the street will ever know any different, any more than they know Virgin's West Coast operation isn't exclusively Virgin, or Virgin Atlantic etc etc.

I am sure Virgin will want to make sure the IEPs on the ECML will be seen as superior to any other ordinary IEP.

 

[Chrism20]

Aren't they arriving on the Great Western first though (whoever'll be running that come then)? I know that in their technical workings they're not the same trains, but won't they have the same basic appearance (though with GWs being shorter and diesel and ECs being longer and electric...)?

Of course, what VTEC could have done to increase the amount of spin on this matter would be to have the existing trains branded as Stagecoach, and when the IEPs arrive, have them branded as Virgin...

The Great Western line is being electrified just now in preparation for IEP is it not?. There was an announcement the other week the TPE electrification was being put back so that Great Western would be completed on time IIRC

 

[freetoview33]

I don't think Stagecoach wants to be seen as inferior in any way. Or indeed for Stagecoach to really be mentioned at all. That 10% Virgin stake is to use the Virgin brand, and Joe Public will think it's 100% Virgin.

I doubt many people on the street will ever know any different, any more than they know Virgin's West Coast operation isn't exclusively Virgin, or Virgin Atlantic etc etc.

I am sure Virgin will want to make sure the IEPs on the ECML will be seen as superior to any other ordinary IEP.

Or Virgin Media! I guess a condition of using the brand name might include something about quality. As yes it is 90% owned by stagecoach but if something went majorly wrong then it would be the Virgin brand that would get dented.

 

[LowLevel]

I don't think Stagecoach wants to be seen as inferior in any way. Or indeed for Stagecoach to really be mentioned at all. That 10% Virgin stake is to use the Virgin brand, and Joe Public will think it's 100% Virgin.

I doubt many people on the street will ever know any different, any more than they know Virgin's West Coast operation isn't exclusively Virgin, or Virgin Atlantic etc etc.

I am sure Virgin will want to make sure the IEPs on the ECML will be seen as superior to any other ordinary IEP.

At present FGWs seem to be along the line of a glorified commuter train, with possible DOO, no buffet etc. Virgin on the other hand from what they have said seem to be working on better catering, no alterations to the role and provision of a train guard and so on - so if it remains in it's proposed format the GW and EC trains will be very different things.

 

[TUC]

At Selby today for the first Virgin Hull-London KX service to pass, only to find that its East Coast's East Midlands Trains set that was being used, which I've never seen been used on the Hull route before. I know they weren't planning full Virgin livery but to see EMT livery instead was unexpected!

using the Selby-London KX service with the EMT train set this morning. V. disappointed to find its not even a train set with power sockets. Given that the timing of the service is aimed at business travellers and that it is planned to use the trainset for an extended period, this choice of trainset on the same route every day seems a poor show on Virgin's part

 

[asylumxl]

using the Selby-London KX service with the EMT train set this morning. V. disappointed to find its not even a train set with power sockets. Given that the timing of the service is aimed at business travellers and that it is planned to use the trainset for an extended period, this choice of trainset on the same route every day seems a poor show on Virgin's part

And what set was it before?

 

[Failed Unit]

i guess the other diagram it could do would feature the Lincoln route. With a couple of Newark / Yorks in between. Suspect the want to keep it away from Scotland for overcrowding avoidance
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

And what set was it before?

It seemed to feature the ex-EMT one a lot, I know the kitchen was upgraded so they could offer the same level of service. Never managed to get it so don't know if power points were ever fitted.

 

[Iskra]

i guess the other diagram it could do would feature the Lincoln route. With a couple of Newark / Yorks in between. Suspect the want to keep it away from Scotland for overcrowding avoidance
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


It seemed to feature the ex-EMT one a lot, I know the kitchen was upgraded so they could offer the same level of service. Never managed to get it so don't know if power points were ever fitted.

Are you in the 1st class quiet coach? If so, I think that's the only coach without power sockets. Must be something to do with the electric supply. East Coast do warn about that on their website.

 

[TUC]

i guess the other diagram it could do would feature the Lincoln route. With a couple of Newark / Yorks in between. Suspect the want to keep it away from Scotland for overcrowding avoidance
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


It seemed to feature the ex-EMT one a lot, I know the kitchen was upgraded so they could offer the same level of service. Never managed to get it so don't know if power points were ever fitted.

Are you in the 1st class quiet coach? If so, I think that's the only coach without power sockets. Must be something to do with the electric supply. East Coast do warn about that on their website.

No, i'm in coach C

 

[Mark62]

I travelled north last Saturday on the 14.50 Retford to Edinburgh train and once again the service was excellent. The first class was very lightly loaded with only one other person in my coach . I am on the 9.54 from newcastle to Edinburgh tomorrow so let's see how it is.

 

[Iskra]

I'm currently on the 0845 Leeds-London in 1st. Service has been excellent, but still very east coast. The train I'm on is 30 late as the brakes keep applying so we're crawling along.

 

[Suraggu]

I'm currently on the 0845 Leeds-London in 1st. Service has been excellent, but still very east coast. The train I'm on is 30 late as the brakes keep applying so we're crawling along.

Set will be top and tailed by 91's when it arrives into London Kings Cross.

 

[Iskra]

Set will be top and tailed by 91's when it arrives into London Kings Cross.

Interesting! I won't have time to see this as im on the 1206 out of Paddington. Will try get a photo if I can.

 

[Chrism20]

I travelled north last Saturday on the 14.50 Retford to Edinburgh train and once again the service was excellent. The first class was very lightly loaded with only one other person in my coach . I am on the 9.54 from newcastle to Edinburgh tomorrow so let's see how it is.

The 9:54 is not too bad and is the mid-morning service. The one before it around 8:40ish runs through to Aberdeen (ex Leeds) and at best can be described as a shambles in first class by the time it reaches Newcastle. I've seen grown men argue over sausages (or the lack of) on that particular service.

 

[westv]

No, i'm in coach C

I was in D on Friday evening and that had no power sockets either.
Also my airline seat reservation turned into a table seat reservation. Not the end of the world but not my preferred choice of seat.
Am I likely to see the EMT set much more on Fridays?

 

[6Z09]

The Virgin East Coast chocolates they are handing out are lovely.
However running on time is more important than gimmicks like these!
Time will tell ,once the new management get their feet under the table and see what changes they make!

 

[Deerfold]

The Virgin East Coast chocolates they are handing out are lovely.

Are you in 1st? I've had 5 trips so far and seen no choccies (though I did swipe some from the 1st class lounge on the 1st Monday)

 

[alexl92]

Set will be top and tailed by 91's when it arrives into London Kings Cross.

Anyone got a picture of this?!

 

[Iskra]

Anyone got a picture of this?!

As far as I could tell it didn't happen. When I got off it, there was just the 82 at the front of the train with no 91 to be seen. One of the crewmembers said the set was going to the depot to be repaired. On the basis it got from Leeds to London under its own power I presume it managed to get to the depot ok.