People are attracted to new trains because, well...they're new! And thus Virgins new shiny 'state of the art' voyagers came into play in 2002, replacing the so-called 'old' trains. The catch was of course, that these new trains were half the size of the old ones, and didn't really have half the space inside. Luggage area's and legroom was shrunk to make way for virgins london underground-like 'cram as many people into one train' masterplan. Comparing the new trains with the old, could virgin really get away with running half sized trains with an engine under each coach for long journeys best suited to the very 8 coach trains they replaced? Yes they could, and they did. Sight is deceiving, step from a voyager onto an First Great Western train (yes, that's right the old trains from virgin are now working for First Great Western!) at Bristol Temple Meads and you will notice a huge increase in comfort and convenience.
Apart from the voyagers, the pendolinos used on most of the west coast services out of Euston are almost perfect. They are as long as they should be, providing more luggage space and reduced overcrowding. Also, they don't have any irritating vibration from thumping engines!
Service-wise, Virgin are as good as they could get. The staff are always very friendly and when there are disruptions, situations are explained clearly. The trains although criticised above, are fast, clean and very reliable and often arrive early into stations. I have rarely suffered any delay to my weekly journeys on virgin trains and i hope this continues into the next few years.
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Hi, welcome to Ciao too. I try to avoid trains as much as possible, especially now they've announced price rises. Great review. Jono :-)
darkangelwing 12.01.2006 01:00
Nice start not sure i've been on a virgin trains but their all the same to me, i love travelling on train if it's a straight line without those tedious switches/connections(-:
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coolchanty 06.01.2002 (06.01.2002)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Virgin Trains
Advantages: Pleasent Staff, always there to help! Disadvantages: No leg room, very dated, uncomfortable seating, and not enough space to put your luggage.
Copie1990 23.11.2009 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of CrossCountry
Jan 12th, 2006
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