Virgin Trains East Coast launched

With little fanfare Virgin Trains East Coast launched its branded product from Kings Cross to Edinburgh on 1 March.  It had been awarded the contract last November, taking over from the government-owned, and much praised, Intercity East Coast, itself created by the failure of the National Express railway subsidiary.  

Owned 90% by Stagecoach and 10% Virgin Group the new franchise hopes to replicate the success of the Virgin West Coast Line. 

However there was no Richard Branson to see off the first train, and the unit was just a repainted version of what went before, a rattlely old train but with excellent service.  Transport Minister Claire Perry did the honours.  “Today is the start of a new chapter for the East Coast franchise.  Passengers will benefit from thousands of extra seats, new connections and improved services between London and Scotland”.

Virgin Trains East Coast is planning to bring back freshly cooked breakfasts for all its First Class customers as part of a series of catering improvements planned over the next two years.

The really good news starts in 2018 when the first of 65 new ‘Super Express’ trains arrive offering the latest in technological innovations.  In the meantime the existing fleet is being given a makeover.  www.virgintrainseastcoast.com

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