User:RFBailey/VT
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Virgin Trains is a train operating company in the United Kingdom, which currently provides services from London Euston to the West Midlands, the North West and Scotland, on the West Coast Main Line. Prior to 11 November 2007, the company also provided services linking the south and south-west of England with the north of England and Scotland, via Birmingham. Although it is branded as part of the Virgin Group, their share in the company is only 51%, with the remaining 49% held by Stagecoach Group.
Overview | |
---|---|
Franchise(s) | InterCity West Coast 9th March 1997 – 31st March 2012 |
Main route(s) | London - West Midlands London - Manchester/Liverpool London - North West England - Scotland |
Other route(s) | London-North Wales Birmingham - Scotland |
Fleet size | 53 Pendolino sets 21 Super Voyager sets |
Stations called at | 44 |
Stations operated | 17 |
Parent company | Virgin Group / Stagecoach Group |
Reporting mark | VT |
Other | |
Website | www.virgintrains.co.uk |
Virgin Trains was formed to take advantage of the privatisation of British Rail in the mid 1990s, and was initially successful in winning two: InterCity West Coast and InterCity Cross Country[1]. The two franchises, although separate companies (in common ownership)[2] both legally and operationally, were marketed as a single brand.