Virgin Trains News
VisitBritain signs MICE partnership with Eurostar and Virgin Trains
VisitBritain has welcomed a new Eurostar and Virgin Trains partnership to offer a united travel service for the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions market, to drive growth in international business events to the UK.
Government to take control of East Coast Main Line from Stagecoach Group
Stagecoach Group will hand back operation of the East Coast Main Line to the government, the train operator has said. The organisation, which has run the franchise in partnership with Virgin Trains since 2015, said it had been advised an “operator of last resort” would be appointed to run the London to Edinburgh service.
Office Twelve design new Virgin lounge at Liverpool Lime Street
As part of the renovation of Liverpool Lime Street station, Office Twelve has designed a temporary first class lounge and customer information point for Virgin Trains. The space feels anything but transitional with beautiful, high-quality fixtures and fittings and an eclectic mix of bespoke and off-the-shelf furniture and lighting.
Works begins on Virgin East Coast Azuma fleet ahead of 2018 debut
Virgin Trains’ customers are a step closer to new trains as work begins on the Azuma (Class 800) fleet, due to enter service on the east coast in 2018. Work on the bodyshells is taking place in Kasado, Japan, before the trains arrive in the UK to be built by Hitachi’s manufacturing team in the north-east.
bmi regional signs partnership with Virgin Trains
bmi regional is partnering with Virgin Trains to add a train travel booking facility to its website, making it easier for customers to travel beyond Birmingham International. The news comes as the carrier reveals plans to establish a new base at Birmingham with services to Graz, Gothenburg and Nuremberg.
Virgin Trains East Coast staff walk out on strike
Members of the RMT trade union working on Virgin Trains East Coast have begun a 24-hour strike. The action is the latest in a long-running dispute over jobs. The union said about 1,800 members, including train crew and some drivers, were taking part in the industrial action.
Virgin Trains launches new Sunderland and Stirling services
Virgin Trains has launched its brand new services to London from Sunderland and Stirling. The new services have been launched in response to demands from both business and leisure customers who have been calling for more early morning departures that will give them a longer day in London. Business, civic and community leaders joined Virgin Trains on-board both inaugural services this morning, with the new Sunderland service being met at London King’s Cross Station by the UK rail minister, Claire Perry, who named the Virgin Train ‘Spirit of Sunderland’.
Virgin welcomes festive trains to fleet
Hundreds of heads were turned this morning at King’s Cross Station as Virgin Trains unveiled its two Christmas trains sporting striking blue liveries in place of the famous Virgin red. A Pendolino transformed into a Penguilino and a Class 91 made over as Claus 91 appeared side by side for the first time at London’s iconic station.
Virgin Trains to overhaul east coast fleet
Virgin Trains has announced a £21 million train refurbishment programme for its fleet of 45 trains on its east coast route. This investment will mean that the company will have committed more than £40 million to improving its train fleet since it launched its east coast franchise in March, as part of its plans to invest £140 million over eight years.
Virgin Trains launches new UK craft ale to travellers
Virgin Trains has announced it has created a brand new ale christened ‘Hop on Board’, available to those on east coast routes. To coincide with its launch, Virgin is trialling a brand new glass – the ‘Hoptimist’ pint glass - that is forever “half full” to celebrate the new beer’s arrival.
New look for Virgin Trains on east coast route
Virgin Trains has unveiled its new look for its staff working on its east coast route. The new red hot uniform features fresh micro checked shirts and blouses, bright and bold red ties and scarves, plus waistcoats and jumpers – helping both staff and customers to connect with the Virgin brand.
Virgin Train offers new departures to Leeds
Virgin Trains has confirmed that it will launch additional services on its popular route between Leeds and London King’s Cross. Customers in Leeds will see an additional 09:40 departure on Saturday’s starting this weekend of October 17th. The new service will also call at Wakefield Westgate and arrives at London King’s Cross at 11:51.