The Virgin Trains Story (2007-2019)

Рет қаралды 30,773

Жыл бұрын

Virgin Trains was an iconic rail operator, and their last decade was just as exciting as their first. So, join me (and Louis!) as we explore the history of this most interesting of companies.
Discord: / discord
Credits:
Photography:
Oxyman, ditjebali azzabi, Steven Crozier, Lawrence Clift, ArtVandelay13, Gerryfosterraz, Virgin Trains East Coast, Richard Townshend and Hitachi Rail, CC BY-SA 3.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/b..., via Wikimedia Commons
Geof Sheppard, Didier Duforest, PeterSkuce, The ganymedian, Martin arrand 1965, Causton, JakeWilliams1998, Chris McKenna (Thryduulf) and Snazzyskips, CC BY-SA 4.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
Martin Bodman
lee bristol, Aubrey Morandarte, Hugh Llewelyn, Sludge G, CC BY-SA 2.0 creativecommons.org/licenses/..., via Wikimedia Commons
Birmingham Live
Rail Accident Investigation Branch
El Pollock
BBC News
Seat 61
Stephen Craven
Spsmiler, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Alex Belfield
GO media
™/®Société nationale des chemins de fer français, designed by Carré Noir Agency, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Hull Live
FirstGroup, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Music:
Dover - The Westerlies

Пікірлер: 108

@alfiemeadows3541 Жыл бұрын

Speaking to an Avanti staff member on the shop. Says they miss Virgin and Avanti doesn’t care about staff or their suggestions etc only want to provide the bare minimum… good video love it

@colin.d Жыл бұрын

I couldn't believe the folly in replacing the WCML franchise as they did. Virgin weren't perfect but a heck of a lot better than the current disaster.

@AndrewG1989 Жыл бұрын

I did like Virgin Trains. But I didn’t like Virgin Trains East Coast. VTEC I think was voted the worst train operator on the East Coast Main Line. Before it was replaced by LNER (London North Eastern Railway).

@manomaylr Жыл бұрын

Of course WorstGroup has to come in whenever they can. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that they get so many rail franchises in the UK and there was so much reluctance to strip TPE of its contract.

@fastdamo Жыл бұрын

Spot on for the comment about trolley service vs buffet bar, GWR are great when they have enough staff to run trains and the trolley service, but that is rare. The problem with all the franchise system was the government has forgotten that public transport is a public service and will never turn a profit. Subsudies will always be required and the old saying you get what you pay for is so true for transport, we the paying public are the ones paying for a substandard service. My old boss said never accept the lowest bid for a contract as they will always under deliver or completly fail to deliver.

@eyybabyj1397 14 сағат бұрын

Problem is all the profit goes back to the shareholders that live in different countries. They don't care about our rail system and thank god the new Labour government plans to renationalize the rail service.

@ChineseJohnCena Жыл бұрын

Virgin trains was better but Avanti west coast isn’t that bad

@Snivy_Films

While I haven't rode any UK trains, as I'm in the United States, my parents has back in the late 90s and early 2000's (97-02) before I was born, when my parents got married, they, along with family on both sides rode up and down the UK Railway network, visiting landmarks and places they wanted to see. They traveled on Virgin Trains, Midland Mainline, and GNER for intercity high-speed travel. I asked them which one did they like the most and all of them said Virgin Trains, the comfort, and the care that VT staff had over MM and GNER was clear as day. My aunt also found one of the train destination cards from a trip from London to Wolverhampton. (VTWC 124 if anyone is wondering)

@ConfusedOxygen Жыл бұрын

thanks for the comments mayo

@TransportWithDee Жыл бұрын

First Group get away with everything 😳

@kaitlyn__L

Yep, Virgin were the only ones who seemed to really care about fulfilling the stated aims of rail privatisation.

@neilburns8869

One of most baffling decisions ever made to take the WCML franchise off Virgin and not one well-received by many train users.

@neilburns8869

I remember the newspaper tribute from the well-respected travel consultant Simon Calder and what he said was that Virgin had shown everyone else just how a train service should be operated.

@TrainsWithRhys Жыл бұрын

Amazing video! You make great content and todays upload is no exception, thanks for this amazing knowing more about virgin trains

@spongebot64 Жыл бұрын

Funnily enough, I too travelled on during the changeover - this was to Manchester just to see friends. It felt surreal seeing the goodbye messages here and there, especially seeing one on the side of a Pendolino destination board.

@stevenjames3455

Thank you for this video! I’m just a little too young to remember exactly what Virgin Trains was like, though I have vague memories, and I thoroughly enjoy seeing all the not-so-hidden Virgin easter eggs at stations and on trains.