Where does Virgin Trains stand now then? Is there a slight, slight chance that Virgin Trains might be able to continue perhaps now, whether it’s remaining as Virgin Trains or under a new name like West Coast by Virgin it matters not, I just feel keen to know if Virgin might have a small glimmer of hope now?
It's just a brand, at the end of the day.
For example, when Virgin Radio was bought around a decade ago, the new owners didn't continue paying for the Virgin brand (it wasn't owned by Virgin since around 2000), it's just a name that people licence to help promote a business.
Virgin may start companies up (or buy companies and slap their branding on it) but do so with the plan to sell the business at a future date on the assumption that putting the Virgin brand on it will make it worth more than other companies.
Look at how Virgin Media seems much more interesting than NTL/ Telewest (or the various other cable brands). The Virgin name may be a thin veneer but it's sufficient "sparkle" for sufficient people to pay sufficiently more money. Hence buying up assets like Northern Rock cheap, knowing that you can sell "Virgin Money" for much more £££ than a boring old Building Society.
Another company (e.g. National Express, Keolis...) may decide to pay for the Virgin name in future to make one of their franchises more interesting/ appealing.
This is the modern world. Like, there's a guy in Sheffield who owns a number of food outlets, some of which he operates as McDonalds franchises or Subway franchises, and a couple without that kind of branding.