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Virgin Trains invests £21m on East Coast stock refurbishment (Now includes pictures!)
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Tetchytyke
Veteran Member
Just as they did on West Coast. I had colleagues astounded that the Pendolino trains didn't come to the ECML the day Virgin took over. It's a strong brand and people react to that, which is of course why Stagecoach are hiding behind it on the ECML.
Again, data is not the plural of anecdote, but I've had colleagues who regularly travel to London noticing how much more expensive the trains have become since Stagecoach took over. They are now thinking twice before taking the train. I'm in London on business next month and British Airways are £25 cheaper return than Virgin are, and that's using AP tickets. When a full-service airline is cheaper than a standard class train, something is very very wrong.
NotATrainspott said:
Nobody noticed or cared when Virgin Megastore changed their name to Zavvi just before going bump.
asylumxl
Established Member
Am I the only one who thinks this was set up purely for the double entendre?
'Trusted' isn't actually a word that features all that strongly in Virgin research, from what I understand. They're seen as a 'disruptor' brand, playing heavily on the idea that they're the cool/new/little guys coming to challenge the big, bad establishment.
That's a difficult position to sustain if you become big, and ultimately coolness is fashion-related, and therefore passing at worst or cyclical at best.
Virgin Trains (West and now East) is really the first application of the brand to risk the former, and time may yet test the latter.
MonsooN
Member
I travel on the ECML from Newcastle to London fairly regularly in standard and I find the seats are comfortable for about the first two hours, but then I always get a numb bum in the third hour :cry: (Laugh at me if you must!)
it would be a shame if they haven't put just a little bit more padding on the seats that would make all the difference to me.
I think the refurbished coaches look nice. As many have already pointed out, they won't be around too much longer once the new Azumas come online.
it would be a shame if they haven't put just a little bit more padding on the seats that would make all the difference to me.
I think the refurbished coaches look nice. As many have already pointed out, they won't be around too much longer once the new Azumas come online.
CC 72100
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Given my fondness for the XC HST interior (which is very similar) then I was not surprised at all to be very impressed by the refurbishment on my MK3 set the other week. A clean finish, yes it's red, but not "too virgin". Put automatic doors on there and you could pass it off for a new train.
47271
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It can't get completed a moment too soon. I was in a mk4 First Class coach the other day. The first THREE seats I tried had broken recline mechanisms, the power point alongside one of them wasn't working and the blue upholstery looked worn, the beige very grubby.
Train seats were never the same once they couldn't be bothered fully spring them anymore.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
You could probably get away with that with any quality Mk3 refurb - they are quite a timeless basic design once you get rid of the slamdoors.
CC 72100
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Yes, but some refurbs are more 'ambitious' than others - the FGW ones still look pretty smart and are a decent job, but I prefer the seating and the airiness of the XC/VTEC ones.
scotsman
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That's because they sold the business to the management
cjmillsnun
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That's because they weren't part of the Virgin group (having been sold off) and chose not to licence the brand.
Bletchleyite
Veteran Member
Indeed. And they were quite brave taking it on - it was already apparent to me at least that the future of media was online purchase and that the concept of a music/movie store using physical media has no future.
The traditional EMT ones are still the most comfortable HST seats IMO. However, I've now used one of VTEC's refurbished HST's and I have to say, there is definitely a bit more padding in the refurbished standard class seats than previously. I had them on a 3 - 4 hour journey and my backside didn't go to sleep.
HMS Ark Royal
Established Member
A Plush Tush got on the Hull Ex?
Back to the usual stock Friday just gone.
HMS Ark Royal
Established Member
Interesting... When does NL65 get returned to her "owners"? After the refurbishment and recolouring back to EMT livery? Should be, according to EMT, back in traffic in 5 weeks
Polarbear
Established Member
Having sampled both an un-refurbished (HST) and refurbished (Mk4's) sets over the last weekend, I actually prefer the un-refurbished set.
I found the refurbishment in standard quite difficult to sit on comfortably for the 4'40" from Edinburgh to London. However, on the northbound journey, I was reasonably comfortable for the majority of my trip to Edinburgh.
I found the refurbishment in standard quite difficult to sit on comfortably for the 4'40" from Edinburgh to London. However, on the northbound journey, I was reasonably comfortable for the majority of my trip to Edinburgh.
Suraggu
Member
She wont be.
HMS Ark Royal
Established Member
Oh... Well I'm looking forward to when she goes back to EMT
asylumxl
Established Member
Why did you take the slower train?
Why not? It was the next available train / it was cheaper...
lincolnshire
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Will agree with you that the traditional East Midland Trains seats are the most comfortable HST seats.
The refurbished Virgin East Coast trains are now better than the original ones as they have lifted the front edge of the seat under you knees by about 1 ins and it seems that makes a big difference. With them using the original seat moulding it looks like thats the best they can manage to make it fit the old seat moulding.
Wonder what the new trains will be like seat comfort wise?
There is an actual VTEC refurbished set which is now covering the NL65 diagram. This will remain on this diagram until NL65 has received it's own refurb.
The VTEC set covering will also have the EMT power cars to allow them to return to Neville Hill each day. NL65 is remaining with Virgin for the time being and is currently receiving a refurb similar to EC64, pictures on other thread.
The VTEC set covering will also have the EMT power cars to allow them to return to Neville Hill each day. NL65 is remaining with Virgin for the time being and is currently receiving a refurb similar to EC64, pictures on other thread.
Check out the Class 800 thread as people have already decided what they will be like to sit in based on a few photos.
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