[WestCoast]

From what I understand it was only ever a trial basis sponsored (I think) by google which was always going to expire. I was surprised with the speed though although unfortunately they don't do audio streaming so I could listen to the football on the droid!

Yes it has been free in Standard since (I think) the beginning of this year, but it was only for a short period sponsored by Google.

http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/trains/wi-fi/

Free, in First Class. And we've partnered with Google, so it's also free in Standard until 28 February 2011.

[Daimler]

Originally Posted by WestCoast

[SIZE="2"]They are a good TOC, but I would not go further than that as I feel they could improve quite easily. The Pendolinos are not as bad as some people make out, when I want to sleep I love the seats nearest to the cab in the quiet coach, window view () and lots of privacy, plus I think think the legroom is perfectly adequate. However, the aisles are too narrow and it becomes horrendous when people put their cases in the aisle, when you want to pass it's also a nightmare. Also the many windowless seats and slight feel of being cramped can make it feel a bit uncomfortable, especially if the train is busy (which it often is!)

They are pretty much the best seats on the train (in standard class, anyway).

My main gripe with Virgin lies in the rolling stock - I don't like the 390s at all. I'm well aware that any mention of the 390s carries with it a large risk of sparking yet another heated debate as to their merits/probelms, but I just don't like them. They are, in my opinion, (generally) uncomfortable, cramped, and frequently smelly - it has nothing to do with whether or not there's a locomotive at the front (or indeed the rear!).

In other respects, Virgin haven't done too badly - the timetable is extremely frequent, though I have certain reservations with regard to the sheer extent to which Virgin have made it 'clockface' (try going direct from Watford Junction or Milton Keynes to anywhere north of Manchester - and this isn't the only example). In my opinion, this makes the service less flexible and consequently less attractive to those travellers not going to London (admittedly a minority).

Their marketing and PR is generally pretty good, though this is hardly a primary concern for me as a user of their services.

They aren't fortunate with regard to the stations they serve - Euston, Birmingham, and many of the West Coast intermediate stations either are brutalist 1960s monstrosities or seem to present an unloved, uncared for image (I found poor Crewe particularly forlorn last time I was there).

I also seem to recall reading that before privatisation, the West Coast intercity services were profit-making - when one considers that now Virgin are being paid to run trains, this shows the company in a rather different light (though from the point of view of purely personal like/dislike, is of course less significant).

[Failed Unit]

I see - I misunderstood your post - I thought Virgin were withdrawing wi-fi altogether! Rather than reverting to free in first (can standard class coach D if you are on a Voyager) and charging in standard.

[Captain Speaking]

Originally Posted by Statto

The ATP could have worked if BR hadn't rushed it into service.

Well, that's becuase they were strapped for cash by the government, as usual. I'm told the entire budget for APT was simialr to that of BL when they 'upgraded' the Mini to the Mini Metro. In other words, peanuts.

The APT was remarkable technology for its time, especially considering how cash-starved the team were. The Italians took the tilt technology from the APT team and put in the neccessary investment to produce a reliable product. then they sold it back to us!

One thing about the 390s is their ability to give fast journey times; excellent acceleration being the main reason. Think how much quicker the journey would be if the awful WCML had actually been upgraded to 140mph as promised to Virgin when the 390s were ordered!

[WestCoast]

I see - I misunderstood your post - I thought Virgin were withdrawing wi-fi altogether! Rather than reverting to free in first (can standard class coach D if you are on a Voyager) and charging in standard.

It was a little vague when I re-read it.

They aren't fortunate with regard to the stations they serve - Euston, Birmingham, and many of the West Coast intermediate stations either are brutalist 1960s monstrosities or seem to present an unloved, uncared for image (I found poor Crewe particularly forlorn last time I was there).

Yes, but they have failed to make even the most basic improvements to some of their stations, a lick of paint here and there, chairs and new windows in the waiting rooms at Warrington Bank Quay, even a decent retail outlet like Costa. These are intercity stations after all! The stations north of Preston are all quite nice though. I would even advocate the installation of barriers at Wigan and Warrington, it would help alleviate the problems of short-distance fare evasion on this section of the line.

[ainsworth74]

Originally Posted by WestCoast

I believe it is a T-Mobile system - which is probably why it is better that East Coast's free WiFi was!

In fairness to the East Coast system they were one of the earliest (if not first actually) to adopt on train WiFi (whilst in the guise of GNER), as such they used the available tech, which of course was quickly eclipsed in terms of capability (hence why the 390s WiFi is better, its more modern). To compound this NXEC then went and made WiFi free to all, resulting in the terrible quality as everyone was on trying to download all sorts.

Hopefully now that the WiFi is back to be charged for in standard and free only in first the actual quality will have improved as less demand is placed on the system.

[Failed Unit]

Originally Posted by WestCoast

Yes, but they have failed to make even the most basic improvements to some of their stations, a lick of paint here and there, chairs and new windows in the waiting rooms at Warrington Bank Quay, even a decent retail outlet like Costa. These are intercity stations after all! The stations north of Preston are all quite nice though. I would even advocate the installation of barriers at Wigan and Warrington, it would help alleviate the problems of short-distance fare evasion on this section of the line.

It also makes me wonder (as I honestly don't know) at the time BR was privatised was the conditions of WCML stations so much worse than East Coast stations. If Lord Adonis had done the stations champion report in 1996 would 70% of the worse stations named belong to Inter-City West Coast. Did BR run down Crewe, Warrington etc? I know Peterborough has its faults but at least the various east coast operators have spent some money on it.

[YorkshireBear]

i hope the next wc franchise does something about the shop situation

[Zoe]

Originally Posted by jimmyowl1992

i hope the next wc franchise does something about the shop situation

Would you prefer at seat service rather than a shop?

[WestCoast]

Originally Posted by Zoe

Would you prefer at seat service rather than a shop?

A trolley would never be able to get down the aisles, they are always full of luggage

[strange6]

Originally Posted by WestCoast

It was a little vague when I re-read it.



Yes, but they have failed to make even the most basic improvements to some of their stations, a lick of paint here and there, chairs and new windows in the waiting rooms at Warrington Bank Quay, even a decent retail outlet like Costa. These are intercity stations after all! The stations north of Preston are all quite nice though. I would even advocate the installation of barriers at Wigan and Warrington, it would help alleviate the problems of short-distance fare evasion on this section of the line.

Believe you me, it's very easy to get on at North Western and depart at Preston travelling by Virgin without paying when the ticket office is shut.

[WestCoast]

Originally Posted by strange6

Believe you me, it's very easy to get on at North Western and depart at Preston travelling by Virgin without paying when the ticket office is shut.

Same situation at Lancaster and all the stations on this section. People wanting to pay, but the "train manager (as Virgin call them)" doesn't come down. I have told them about it many times, nothing ever gets done!

[strange6]

Originally Posted by WestCoast

Same situation at Lancaster and all the stations on this section. People wanting to pay, but the "train manager (as Virgin call them)" doesn't come down. I have told them about it many times, nothing ever gets done!

I always make sure a tenner is visible in my hand so that people can see that I'm ready to pay but nobody ever comes and It drops me next to the exit at Preston. Not my fault

[MattE2010]

Originally Posted by strange6

I always make sure a tenner is visible in my hand so that people can see that I'm ready to pay but nobody ever comes and It drops me next to the exit at Preston. Not my fault

Buy a ticket at your destination then.

Virgin won't install ticket gates at Wigan NW and Warrington BQ as they wouldn't want to protect other franchises revenue, look at Coventry, they didn't like Central benefitting too.

[WestCoast]

Buy a ticket at your destination then.

If it's late then Preston office is likely to also be closed.

Virgin won't install ticket gates at Wigan NW and Warrington BQ as they wouldn't want to protect other franchises revenue, look at Coventry, they didn't like Central benefitting too.

But it is mainly their own revenue as they are the dominant operator, Northern and ATW usually check tickets after departing from Wigan/Warrington, they aren't losing out.

I get the impression they just aren't bothered about short-distance fares, which is NOT the impression I get from FGW and East Coast (and NXEC before).