We're used to having other people's cast off......
........only joking.
As for the responses on this thread...well, those whove always been critical of Branson/ Souter/ Virgin/ Stagecoach dont like it very much, those whove been fans do like it hard to tell very much from this!
Completely typical - the EC franchisees (no matter who) have always treated Hull as a complete inconvenience. I really hope this doesn't mean a sub-standard catering service and level of comfort on the Hull Executive for 2 years...
Should do 11.05 KX to Leeds.
The first week of April will see the next set emerge in the new VTEC livery, with all electric sets finished by August.
The first HST in the new livery will be released into traffic in May and, as the electric fleet, all HSTs will be in the new colours by August.
Why are they being so slow to repaint the trains?
In terms of typical TOC performance, six months to re-livery the entire train fleet is not “slow” at all, but really very rapid. Bounds Green will have reliveried five mark 4 sets a month at that rate (I assume that the HSTs will be vinyled at Craigentinny?). Remember it took Virgin at least FIVE YEARS to finish repainting the trains in their West Coast and Crosscountry franchises the first time round and, in fact, they never quite finished the job on Crosscountry (One mark 2 set remaining in Intercity livery up until withdrawal and power car 43029 “escaping” the franchise to FGW towards the end of the repainting process).Why are they being so slow to repaint the trains?
I like the new Virgin livery, but in my opinion it doesnt come close to matching the sheer class of the GNER scheme. Bold and brash doesnt usually beat tasteful and conservative in my view.I think the new trains look fantastic.
Much better than the dull blue under GNER. The trains now look much fresher and newer.
I think the new trains look fantastic.
Much better than the dull blue under GNER. The trains now look much fresher and newer.
I like Bransons vision to have the service as good as the West Coast line aslong as prices don't go up too much I'm happy.
What was wrong with the East Coast offering? From a passenger perspective, there isn’t much that I can see “Virginisation” of the service improving, personally. Or Stagecoach for that matter, not that I have any problem with the EMT or West Coast franchises. The loss of the Rewards scheme is already a personal disappointment.I like Bransons vision to have the service as good as the West Coast line aslong as prices don't go up too much I'm happy.
Having caught EC regularly and VT occasionally I've not seen much difference in the service between the two.
They might if they can't get a seat; it's a shorter set.Will the people of Kingston Upon Hull ( full title) give a dam that the train they are travelling on has East Midland Trains on the side and inside it,
I'd agree with that, and I'd hope the Virgin 10% will be enough to keep the worst of Stagecoach's penny-pinching at bay. I don't like Beardy Rail but have always enjoyed VT first class.
Compare East Coast with East Midlands Trains and there is a huge difference, though.
In terms of typical TOC performance, six months to re-livery the entire train fleet is not slow at all, but really very rapid. Bounds Green will have reliveried five mark 4 sets a month at that rate (I assume that the HSTs will be vinyled at Craigentinny?). Remember it took Virgin at least FIVE YEARS to finish repainting the trains in their West Coast and Crosscountry franchises the first time round and, in fact, they never quite finished the job on Crosscountry (One mark 2 set remaining in Intercity livery up until withdrawal and power car 43029 escaping the franchise to FGW towards the end of the repainting process).
Theres only a limited number of trainsets that you can have out of service for work such as this at any one time with a train fleet that is diagrammed as intensively as East Coasts. If the livery is just a vinyl wrap (I didnt think that Bounds Green has a paint shop?), then I would assume that it must take a couple of days at least to vinyl a complete 9-car rake.
Why are they being so slow to repaint the trains?
Whose bright idea was it to put great big red stickers right in the middle of the windows? They are *very* annoying.
I think that's just on the launch train? They shouldn't be there very long.
They might if they can't get a seat; it's a shorter set.
I like the new Virgin livery, but in my opinion it doesnt come close to matching the sheer class of the GNER scheme. Bold and brash doesnt usually beat tasteful and conservative in my view.
Didn't take long but even though reciprocal travel agreements are still in place, one manager was told they were not allowed to use them as the said travel agreements were no more :roll:
Next two months be interesting to see what cross benefits will stay and which will go :cry:
Email to all VTEC and VTWC employees this afternoon stating no reciprocal travel agreements have been agreed but both executive teams are looking at the possibility of it.
VTEC staff are also not entitled to any travel with SWT or EMT.
Email to all VTEC and VTWC employees this afternoon stating no reciprocal travel agreements have been agreed but both executive teams are looking at the possibility of it.
VTEC staff are also not entitled to any travel with SWT or EMT.
Email to all VTEC and VTWC employees this afternoon stating no reciprocal travel agreements have been agreed but both executive teams are looking at the possibility of it.
VTEC staff are also not entitled to any travel with SWT or EMT.
It's all a bit strange and it doesn't really feel like a proper Virgin or Stagecoach TOC. It's also incredibly confusing that the West Coast is staying as Virgin Trains - the website and lounges say "Virgin Trains tickets are not valid on Virgin Trains East Coast".