Virgin Trains Proposed services

[merlodlliw]

No paths on the Cov corridor to put an extra service in, unless as previously stated they swap out a pendo for Voyager working.

It will be an interesting wait to see the actual route diagrammed for both services,some in the trade seem to think a bit of swapping will occur between
electrics & Diesel traction & coupling up at Preston a bit like Chester.

 

[snail]

Yes, however I think it's little more than a nice bit of publicity myself - north of Preston it's absolutely silent, if it's an 11-car set it may be 10-25% full from my experiences. It could seriously do with a Carlisle and Lake District call to relieve pressure on the later xx30 trains.

What pressure? The peak services from Euston usually have plenty of space. I've been on 1657 and 1730 departures where you can count the number of people in Coach F on two hands.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

What pressure? The peak services from Euston usually have plenty of space. I've been on 1657 and 1730 departures where you can count the number of people in Coach F on two hands.

If they are 9-car sets however they can be rather busy, especially if on a Friday too. Further, calls north of Preston would also keep the burden off the already busy Birmingham-Scotland and TPE services too from Preston. I just can't see why you'd have a non-stop service - the loadings are so poor and an extra stop or two (at the expense of perhaps 5 or 6 minutes) would be a much better utilisation of resources - 4h15 is just as impressive as 4h08 end-to-end. The speed limit through Carlisle is already 20mph (and it isn't unknown for it to stop anyway, to let staff or confused passengers alight), so that would perhaps be seen to be even less of a penalty.

 

[The Planner]

Did they drag the Pendos over then? it hasn't got knitting on it has it, been a while since I was up there.

 

[dk1]

Yes, however I think it's little more than a nice bit of publicity myself - north of Preston it's absolutely silent, if it's an 11-car set it may be 10-25% full from my experiences. It could seriously do with a Carlisle and Lake District call to relieve pressure on the later xx30 trains.

I was having a couple of beers at Glasgow Central on Friday 8th march after Ayr Races & decided to see how busy it was. It arrived a couple of minutes down at 20.40. I was suprised that around 200 alighted. I know it was a Friday but there seems to be very few cheap advance tickets available on this service.

 

[Philip Elliott]

Did they drag the Pendos over then? it hasn't got knitting on it has it, been a while since I was up there.

No. No Pendolino has been over it this year. The 390s reversed in Bushbury loop and Wolverhampton station.


MattE2010 - don't pass off speculation as fact.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

MattE2010 - don't pass off speculation as fact.

Apologies. I was sure I'd read that somewhere but I must have been getting my wires crossed with something else. Post will be edited accordingly. I should have known better in that case really, it's one of my pet hates on here too

 

[cle]

I was having a couple of beers at Glasgow Central on Friday 8th march after Ayr Races & decided to see how busy it was. It arrived a couple of minutes down at 20.40. I was suprised that around 200 alighted. I know it was a Friday but there seems to be very few cheap advance tickets available on this service.

I think Virgin would do better if they allocated more cheap tickets. Easyjet and BA (certainly from LGW) are always cheaper. And yet trains are half empty - this requires a cultural/behavioural shift for those travelling to Glasgow to start seeing the train as a worthy alternative.

It has happened, but could be better. Market share is still low - they could do more to encourage people on. Many might prefer the seamlessness, ability to work/sleep/play, bring anything on, no queues/security/ID, no trains from airports to London etc... - plenty of benefits but many don't try it.