I have just returned from Bournemouth and have endured another 'journey from hell' courtesy of Virgin Trains. My colleagues and I had been at a conference and decided to return on the 10.46am train to Edinburgh, stopping at Wolverhampton on the way.
We arrived in good time for the Train and it duly pulled in several minutes before its scheduled departure. So far so good.
On boarding we discovered that every seat in the First Class carriage was reserved for all or part of the journey! but refusing to be put off we found seats reserved from Birmingham.
At Southampton about 20 passengers boarded First Class - returning from a Cruise complete with about a months luggage. Chaos followed with suitcases and bags everywhere - in the corridor, in the racks, behind the seats and in the disabled space.
At Reading a lady in a Wheelchair got on - absolute bedlam followed with all the suitcases having to be moved by the Train Manager from one end of the compartment to the other. By now passengers were standing in the carriage and they all had suitcases and baggage too!!!
When we got to Birmingham International we lost our seats and had to stand with all the rest of the unlucky passengers without a reservation.
First Class passengers are supposed to get drinks and snacks - no chance of that happening - the host was unable to get into the carriage, given the chaotic scenes. The man on the Tannoy kept apologising - a lot of use that was.
At New Street more people got on and by now it was impossible to move anywhere. Thankfully we got off at the next stop but I feel extremely sorry for the passengers who were having to endure the journey to Preston, Carlisle and all points North.
The British sense of humour shone through the chaos with everyone laughing and joking - if we hadn't we would have been crying.
I am sure you are all wondering how much we paid for this unforgetable experience - you will not believe it - the tickets were £218.00 single each - I could have flown to many parts of Europe for less.
Virgin Trains have lost the franchise for this route from 11 November 2007 and so hopefully things will get better soon - Is it any surprise?
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i can believe the experience you had on virgin trains as ive had similar experiences.the govenment want people to leave thier cars at home and use public transport well if they reduced the train fares which are expensive they may have folk travelling more often on them. i for one would rather go by car or fly, i flew from glasgow to london return in sept and it cost me £58 why pay hundreds of punds to travel all those hours on a hot crowded train when you can fly much cheaper and faster too.
andrewfleminguk 20.10.2007 14:00
Yes, sadly I can believe it. I am a regular traveller by train (and had the misfortune to use Virgin Cross Country myself the other day). I have to say their West Coast operation is much better in general (though if anything even more expensive too). Good stuff anywhere and sorry you had such a dire journey.
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coolchanty 06.01.2002 (06.01.2002)
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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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Review of CrossCountry
Oct 19th, 2007
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