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I've used Cov station several times and always found the staff to be the most approachable of any rail station - definitely the 'friendliest' Virgin station around. The staff in the customer service office on platform 1 are graet, especially the Manager, a Mr Joshi. The fact you had to...

Many of the London-Chester trains terminate there and pick-up only at Milton Keynes. I travelled on one such train on a weekday lunchtime recently, and there were only 2 customers in First (including me). Nobody boarded at MKC. From listening to the TM, the Standard was also very quiet. If...

I see that Virgin are running an hourly direct service from the Midlands to London Euston via High Wycombe and Greenford again, with the line closed between Rugby - MKC. Previously, Virgin concentrated on running the Chiltern Blockade Busters between Birmingham Interntional - Coventry -...

Thanks for that. I have actually been on TPE once - a few years ago from Sheffield to Manchester. On that occasion, my First Class seat was in a 2+2 configuration - the only difference from Standard via the partition was a headrest and table lamp. Are new trains now scheduled to operate all...

I'm travelling from Manchester to Blackpool North with Transpennine Express sometime tomorrow afternoon. Not having used Transpennine Express before, what is the First Class service like on this route? Do they also offer an at-seat service in First or should I buy my refreshments before...

The first off peak train on all Virgin services out of Euston after the pm restriction is always packed, whether it be to the West Midlands, Liverpool or Manchester. On a Friday, they are virtually guaranteed to be full and standing (in Standard), and the TM usually has common sense to...

Well I chose not to reserve my seat at Paddington after hearing of the charge! A sneaky way to generate extra revenue. What was the rationale behind FGW charging for this when others have sense and don't? As you say, some stations really are good and I agree with your point about St...

The barrier staff at the Euston gateline questioned why my ticket had been marked. After explaining what the ticket clerk did, he said how daft of him it was to do such a stupid thing, when all that was needed was to staple the excess to each part of my original ticket. So I was let through...

Some stations issues overdistances excesses very quickly and others are the opposite. I spent the best part of 10 minutes at Euston the other day trying to explain to the VT ticket clerk. He eventually issued it but not without doing an obligatory squiggle on both original parts of my then...

I agree with you on the ludicrously increased journey time from Nuneaton to Liverpool (in my case, to Crewe). The current xx16 LM meanders around Stoke - even changing at Stafford onto a BHM-LIV train arrives into Crewe quicker. The 06:38 Virgin to Liverpool is simply too early, and stupid...

I don't have password access to the ATOC website, so can't easily view the useful Newsrail Express publication, which is great for finding out the latest info on special offers and changes. Can Newsrail Express be viewed anywhere else online? I can't find any working links for the most...

I purchased an Anytime Return ticket from the FGW website and note that the outward portion still has only one day of validity printed on it, when it should in fact be valid for 5 days. Is this a misprint on my ticket or do all outward Anytime Returns (formerly Open returns) still only show...

I've booked a First Anytime Return ticket on the Virgin website from Euston to Birmingham. I was hoping to travel out today, but change in plans mean I will travel out tomorrow. As I understand it, the outward portion is now valid fro 5 days. Does this mean that I can still collect my...

If you only want to pay for a FC ticket, then you're much better off getting a seat on the Leicester trains (xx42 out and xx52 back). You're very unlikely to have to stand in Standard, and you'll save over £11 on the First Day return fare. On the return, you can get the Stansted train, so long...

Since the VHF timetable was introduced, Virgin have made big changes to their FC menu. The so-called breakfast (you should see their Great British offering!) is still served but now until 10am. After that, a Light Bites is offered, which is basically a choice of 2 sandwiches (rotating every...

Yes, the Stansted/Cambridge - Birmingham trains are always often full and standing between Leicester - Birmingham and vice-versa. All of the 170s on this route now convey First Class accommodation - a compartment of 9 First Class seats in a 2+1 configuration. At peak times then can get busy...

From 7 Sept, the outward portion of Open (then Anytime) returns will only be valid for 1 day. Does this mean that an Open return purchased online prior to 7 Sept will still have the outward one month validity? Further, does this only apply where the outward date is before 7 Sept, or any...

There are now a large number of First Class lounges at rail stations across the country. Some, such as the Virgin Trains lounges, allow entry to any type of First Class ticket, but others, such as the NXEC lounges, only allow full Open ticket holders entry. Any contenders for the best and...

Am I correct in saying that the validity of First / Standard Open return tickets will change after the fares simplification next Sunday? Currently, the outward portion is valid for one calendar month but from next Sunday, it will only be valid for one day *yet* the price of the already...