(23 Sep 2015, 6:40 am)S813 FVK wrote Surprised at this.

I noticed that the 'East Coast' was missing from the TV advert. Didn't realise it had been dropped completely though.

(22 Sep 2015, 10:10 pm)LeeCalder wrote On Saturday, Virgin Trains dropped the "East Coast" part of the name. Therefore meaning that the TOC is now called Virgin Trains and not Virgin Trains East Coast.

However, the code will remain as 'GR' which actuallty stands for GNER!

(25 Sep 2015, 11:03 am)Michael wrote New train service launched for Sunderland

http://www.sunderlandecho.com/news/business/new-train-service-launched-for-sunderland-1-7480538

Can't find if Virgin/East cost are doing more than just the new 5.40am departure, arriving in London King’s Cross at 9.08am. With the return service departing London at 8pm. Both services will be faster than existing direct trains to Sunderland, by seven minutes southbound and 11 minutes northbound.

(25 Sep 2015, 3:57 pm)GX03 SVC wrote Yes, Virgin Trains (on the East Coast) are only doing the one outbound and one inbound service per day. 

(25 Sep 2015, 3:59 pm)Michael wrote Hopefully they add more in the future... i don't have much interest in trains... any idea what they'll use on the service?

(25 Sep 2015, 4:00 pm)GX03 SVC wrote HSTs.

(25 Sep 2015, 4:00 pm)GX03 SVC wrote HSTs.

(25 Sep 2015, 4:00 pm)GX03 SVC wrote HSTs.

(25 Sep 2015, 4:05 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Will they go via Newcastle or Eaglescliffe?

(25 Sep 2015, 4:08 pm)S813 FVK wrote They will go to London via Newcastle.

(25 Sep 2015, 4:10 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Assuming there is no stop at Heworth then

(25 Sep 2015, 4:01 pm)S813 FVK wrote Will all 9 carriages be able to fit on the platform or will it be a case of some overhanging/not reaching the platform?

(25 Sep 2015, 4:19 pm)Andreos1 wrote The GC fit, but obviously they are a few carriages short, of a full VTEC set.

It will be interesting to see.

The other point to make, is that Sunderland has 4 platform numbers, despite only having one island platform.

I am wondering which platforms they arrive/depart from.
If using a southbound platform from London, is the driver going to change ends and head back to Heaton?
Or is it going to arrive on the Northbound platform?

The wiki, has the track layout. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sunderland_station

(25 Sep 2015, 4:12 pm)Michael wrote Its route according to the East Coast/Virgin website.

5:40am
Sunderland
Newcastle
Durham
Darlington
York
Peterboroug
London Kings Cross

(25 Sep 2015, 4:35 pm)citaro5284 wrote It will do the current 0559 from Newcastle which is a HST, just starting at Sunderland.

(25 Sep 2015, 4:32 pm)Dan wrote The Grand Central trains depart from the South Hylton bound Metro platform. When there are delays / timing 'collisions', the South Hylton bound Metros serve the Airport bound Metro platform.

I would imagine the same will apply?

(25 Sep 2015, 10:35 pm)LeeCalder wrote On another note...

Virgin Trains (East Coast) 91114 "Durham Cathedral" is almost ready for service!

(26 Sep 2015, 9:06 am)DanPicken wrote 43238 has just left Newcastle to go to London.

(26 Sep 2015, 10:23 am)LeeCalder wrote It is on 1E07 Edinburgh to London Kings Cross

Then...

1S20 London Kings Cross to Aberdeen (Due into NCL at 16:49)
5S20 Aberdeen to Aberdeen Clayhills Car.M.D

(26 Sep 2015, 12:03 pm)GX03 SVC wrote Tomorrow:
5E15 XAC (Aberdeen) to Aberdeen
1E15 Aberdeen to Kings Cross (NCL 1358)
1D26 Kings Cross to Harrogate
5D26 Harrogate to XNL (Neville Hill)

(25 Sep 2015, 4:01 pm)S813 FVK wrote Will all 9 carriages be able to fit on the platform or will it be a case of some overhanging/not reaching the platform?

VTEC proposes to operate the new service using 2+9 high speed trains (HSTs). These trains are 247 metres in length which is longer than the platforms at Sunderland (by approximately 2 coach lengths). In addition, the leading Power Car would be off the platform. We are working with industry partners, and Network Rail in particular, to agree a solution for the safe operation of a VTEC train at Sunderland. From various site visits and a test train on 22 February, we have identified the need to build a walking route for drivers – this will be approximately 67 metres in length at the south end of the station. In terms of other matters at Sunderland, it would be necessary for Northern Rail staff to isolate the fire alarm sensors at platform level while a VTEC train is occupying the platform, in the same way they do for Grand Central services. 

(26 Sep 2015, 4:08 pm)NK53 TKT wrote I thought there HSTs had 10 cars with the 225s having 9