Universediver
Member
- Joined
- 3 Sep 2012
- Messages
- 37
What time will the last Virgin train depart on 8th December?
What time will the last Virgin train depart on 8th December?
If you mean from its origin, I suspect the 2324 from Euston to Wolves:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P59170/2019-12-08/detailed
Edit, isn't it actually 7th that is their last day - franchises normally start on a Sunday to give a "soft start"? If so quite possibly the 2214 from New St:
https://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/train/P43071/2019-12-07/detailed
The 2214 from New St isn’t a Virgin.
according to RTT the last VT to arrive in euston is 1T71 20:15 piccadilly to euston arriving in at 23:46, if everything runs on time.
yeah I was going to say! very possible that the Piccadilly service may get in first or the other way round, we'll have to see.Yep, though the last wheel turned in passenger service, by one minute, is the Wolves service noted above. In practice however they may prove to be the other way round!
according to RTT the last VT to arrive in euston is 1T71 20:15 piccadilly to euston arriving in at 23:46, if everything runs on time.
franchises normally start on a Sunday to give a "soft start"?
Sorry, the last Manchester - Euston on the 07/12 is 1A71 2035 departure, Euston arrival at 2300, so not in the running, so to speak.
The 2015 appears to be a STP train running on 7th December only, although it leaves earlier it arrives at Euston later than 1A71, at 2346 (RTT shows it running via Northampton).
I think the Manchester derby is that day, so presumably a "footex"?
I think the Manchester derby is that day, so presumably a "footex"?

franchises normally start on a Sunday to give a "soft start"?
Looks like someone asked this earlier and VT confirmed "It will be running, but will be booked as a relief train..." https://twitter.com/VirginTrains/status/1200347334271545346 ... Which would mean that 9G47 isn't the last as they're saying. One wonders why they're expecting it to be so busy and why they're stating the 21:42 is the last?Hi. I found this in RTT but Virgin Trains are denying it exists on Twitter...
Picture shows a 2148 Virgin Trains service from Euston shown on RealTime Trains
is the 2142 not the actual last Virgin Train then?
Looks like someone asked this earlier and VT confirmed "It will be running, but will be booked as a relief train..." https://twitter.com/VirginTrains/status/1200347334271545346 ... Which would mean that 9G47 isn't the last as they're saying. One wonders why they're expecting it to be so busy and why they're stating the 21:42 is the last?![]()
I was on the 2148 last night as far as MKC.
I suspect VTWC had it as a relief because the 2142 was expected to be very busy with LNR scheduled to be on strike and it wouldn't look good if passengers were unable to board the final service due to over crowding.
My observations:
- Loads of Virgin Staff present on the platform, all wearing their uniform and name badges for the final time. Selfies being taken etc. There seemed to be a genuine sadness that they would no longer be working for Virgin
- The 2142 was packed. I waited on the platform as it was unclear if the 2148 was available for public use or whether it was for invited guests only
- A few minutes before 2142 the 2148 (which was on the adjacent platform) was opened up. I boarded and got a decent seat.
- The 2148 became busy as well (vindicating the decision to run the additional service)
- A couple of announcements that it was the last every Virgin Train
- Time of Our Lives played on the PA after one of the announcements
- Staff gave out some goodies. I managed a packet of crisps but some kids got lucky with Virgin goody bags
- A few people at platform ends taking pictures
I've never seen a staff turn out like that at the end of a franchise. When the day comes for First Trenitalia to run their final train I doubt very much if a staff turn out like that will be seen.
It wasn’t to bad compared to 2142. I kept changing seats on 2148 plenty in coach B
The 2142 looked proper wedged.