DarloRich
Veteran Member
I've been on East coast up north but never Virgin
Well before asking who is best why not try both out and judge for yourself.
And for people who cannot afford first class?
That is one of my slight irks about this forum, too much discussion about first class.
Exactly there is some sort of almost Masonic cult about first class on this site. If you dont use first class then you arent worthy of consideration. Although what I really love are the railcard boys just wait till you have to support yourself you might be shocked by how expensive your beloved first class travel is in the real world!
East Coast's service from Milton Keynes is pretty abysmal, so I tend to use Virgin.
Sadly although if going to Euston then London Midland offer almost as fast services from MK and there seems to be some price based completion happening now!
I use both services on a regular basis for business and personal use and find East Coast so much more pleasant and comfortable from a non rail card holding standard class passengers point of view:
Their trains are more airy, lighter and have better visibility.
They feel less cramped
The seats are better
They sell Yorkshire Tea
Every seat has access to a plug socket
Their web site seems easier to user and more pleasing to look at.
They sell Yorkshire tea
You can work on a laptop at a table on East Coast without crashing into your neighbour
Their WIFI seems better.
My phone works more often
The buffet/trolley is better on East Coast The range pof products seems better and the quality higher. The price is a little less.
They sell Yorkshire Tea (did I mention that)
Two things I have never understood about Virgin is why the internal decorations in their Pendolino are so dark. Why were lighter colours and smarter lighting not used to bring up what is a dingy environment and why they specified such god awful seats in standard class!
The fares, without a railcard, are similar although Virgin do seem to offer more very cheap tickets. I have often got a £3.50 Wolverhampton to MK ticket but have rarely got a £12 York to Kings Cross ticket.
Finally, comparing the two fleets of trains it seems that anyone who prefers the Pendolino, or shudder the Voyager, is simply a wibbling buffoon