(14 Sep 2017, 3:35 pm)omnicity4659 wrote 390010 now carries the interim Virgin Trains "Flowing Silk" livery, it's a basic version of the Azuma.

(14 Sep 2017, 8:33 pm)8222 wrote I am desperate to see this!!

(17 Sep 2017, 8:02 am)8222 wrote They could have done so much more....

Franchise winners announced!

https://news.sky.com/story/first-trenitalia-to-take-over-west-coast-main-line-rail-services-11785017

What's your thoughts?

My views on First are mixed - FCC was a disaster when I used them several times and FGW outside of London seemed to be bad; but the FGW I've used into and out of London has been fine.

They seem to be trying their best to modernise TransPennine which is good.

(14 Aug 2019, 6:39 pm)Andreos1 wrote

Franchise winners announced!

https://news.sky.com/story/first-trenitalia-to-take-over-west-coast-main-line-rail-services-11785017

(15 Aug 2019, 12:47 pm)8222 wrote

What's your thoughts?

My views on First are mixed - FCC was a disaster when I used them several times and FGW outside of London seemed to be bad; but the FGW I've used into and out of London has been fine.

They seem to be trying their best to modernise TransPennine which is good.

I'm glad to see the over-hyped, NHS suing Virgin brand disappearing from the network.

They did nothing for me, other than annoyed at their own PR spin - as seen on the ECML too.

I've used FGW quite a bit in and out of Paddington and on local stuff around Hampshire, Berkshire Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds and don't have any major issues with them. Others may say different.

I haven't used C2C since TrenItalia moved in on the Fenchurch St routes, so can't comment on ops there.

My first instinct is that Trenitalia are using the First brand to get a foothold on longer distance stuff within the UK.

However, I wonder if it is actually the other way round and First will be stealing one or two of the Italians ideas.

There's a sense of irony about this. Yet again we're privatising part of a franchise, to a state-ran operator from another EU country.

I'm pleased Virgin were disqualified from bidding, but its a shame it was over Pension rules, rather than the huge burden they put on the tax payer when they threw the keys for the East Coast franchise back. Any operator that does that, should not get anywhere near a bidding process for another franchise. At least until they pay up the money they committed to in their franchise agreement.

I whole-heartedly agree. Though we keep tarnishing Virgin - it's as much Stagecoach's fault. I don't think they get the same amount of grief as Virgin.

I'll be interested to see what the additional trains are. I want to know where the EMT 222s are going to go when the 80x series come online.

(16 Aug 2019, 6:53 pm)Adrian wrote

There's a sense of irony about this. Yet again we're privatising part of a franchise, to a state-ran operator from another EU country.

I'm pleased Virgin were disqualified from bidding, but its a shame it was over Pension rules, rather than the huge burden they put on the tax payer when they threw the keys for the East Coast franchise back. Any operator that does that, should not get anywhere near a bidding process for another franchise. At least until they pay up the money they committed to in their franchise agreement.

(27 Nov 2019, 9:33 pm)Andreos1 wrote http://www.passengertransport.co.uk/2019/11/virgins-journey-ends-as-the-age-of-avanti-begins/

New brand launched. 
Taking in to account the recent trend for historic names, Avanti seems to buck the trend.

(27 Nov 2019, 9:55 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Sounds like a personal hygiene product for the older lady!

(19 Sep 2023, 10:32 am)Andreos1 wrote https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/avanti-west-coast-contract-renewal-delays-cancellations-london-euston-b1107888.html

They've been given a 9 year contract.

(16 Jan 2024, 10:57 pm)Andreos1 wrote https://novaramedia.com/2024/01/15/free-money-executives-at-failing-train-company-joke-about-making-money-at-the-taxpayers-expense/

Oh dear. 
It looks like it's not just bus operators who view the handouts as 'free money'.

(16 Jan 2024, 10:57 pm)Andreos1 wrote https://novaramedia.com/2024/01/15/free-money-executives-at-failing-train-company-joke-about-making-money-at-the-taxpayers-expense/

Oh dear. 
It looks like it's not just bus operators who view the handouts as 'free money'.