RAILSTAFF APRIL 2017
NEWS
25
East West Virgin meets the test Over 20 years, Virgin Trains has established itself as a model for customer care, service frequency and marketing innovation, writes Clive Kessell. In short it’s a brand that has become identified with top quality travel. The initial acquisition of loco-hauled Mark II and III trains were soon replaced with the tilting Pendolinos, many lengthened to 11 coaches. The fleet has now clocked up a staggering 300 million miles. Such is the passing of time that these trains are coming up for mid-life refurbishment with the first set due out of the Alstom Widnes depot in June. On the East Coast, Virgin’s entire fleet of HSTs and Class 91 + Mk 4 coaches has been refurbished and a half-hourly service to Leeds at weekends will soon be a reality. The reliability of the east coast overhead line equipment continues to be a big risk requiring the introduction of pantograph cameras aiming to spot upcoming problems before breakages actually occur. The long awaited Azuma trains will soon be operating with driver recruitment now in progress.
Congratulations to Virgin not only for pursuing an amazing transformation but also for the engineering and introduction of new rolling stock. Phil Whittingham, managing director for Virgin Trains on the west coast route, said, ‘Here at Virgin Trains we’re proud to have been at the forefront of innovating British train travel for the last 20 years. Since taking over the franchise, we’ve transformed the West Coast and made it one of the most popular lines in Europe. We have constantly and consistently challenged the status quo, and sought to lead the way in the rail industry by introducing new services and initiatives that benefit passengers. ‘We are proud to be building on the success of this franchise, and are continuing to make improvements to areas that we know are important to our customers such as station facilities, and introducing more convenient mobile tickets, whilst working with Network Rail to take our punctuality and reliability to a record high.’ David Horne became managing director on the east coast in 2014. He reflected on
the route’s achievements since then. ‘Since we launched services on the east coast in 2015 we have committed more than £40 million to improving our existing fleet, to give our customers the best possible experience when they travel with us. The completion of our refurbishment programme was another milestone on our journey towards totally transforming travel for our customers on the east coast route. ‘We continue to improve on the high quality service our customers have come to expect of us ahead of the launch of our cuttingedge new Azuma fleet in 2018 which will substantially increase capacity, with Virgin planning to operate more than 200 services per day on this route.’
Special charter marks 125 anniversary
Virgin's Tyger says get your Glad Rags on
A special charity charter train travelled 800 miles in a day and raised £43,000 for Railway Children.
Heavy metal band Tygers of Pan Tang, fronted by Virgin’s Robb Weir, is enjoying renewed success this spring with its latest single Glad Rags released on 10 March.
The Inter-City 125, chartered by the Branch Line Society, took rail enthusiasts from London to Edinburgh and back, taking in the Blyth and Tyne route plus unusual visits to Bounds Green and Craigentinny maintenance depots. Those on board the ninecoach High Speed Train included its original designer and the godfather of British modernism, Sir Kenneth Grange. The man who gave us the Kenwood Mixer, Kodak’s Instamatic camera, an Anglepoise lamp and, less happily, the parking meter, is now the honorary president of 125 Group,
the enthusiasts’ society which aims to preserve one of the iconic trains when they are finally taken out of service. Kev Adlam, fixtures secretary, Branch Line Society, said, ‘Thank you to everyone from Virgin Trains, 125 Group, PLEG, East Midlands Trains, Network Rail and Rail Gourmet that made Saturday’s special train such an interesting, enjoyable and record breaking railtour. ‘At over 800 miles, it was the longest distance travelled by a one-day railtour in the society’s 62-year history, and we believe the new UK record holder for a one-day charity railtour in terms of funds raised. ‘The atmosphere on board was amazing, and for the total revenue to be over £43,000 is red hot.’
Robb Weir juggles three different lives as a Virgin Trains East Coast onboard senior host, family man and heavy metal rock star. The band played extensively in the 1980s and reformed in 1999. This year alone, the Tygers are scheduled to perform in Italy, Poland, Switzerland, Germany and the Netherlands. How does he fit it all in? ‘I have a great relationship with the two wonderful people in our roster department, Jacqueline and Alistair, who really help me out. It also helps that the Tygers’ management organise what we are doing roughly a year ahead. In the music business, you really need to,’ says Robb. ‘I’m very open with work,’ says Robb. ‘I’ve never had to take any unpaid leave from Virgin. As I
know what I’m doing a year ahead, I can go to the roster department with a list of dates and say, Can I move this to then? Can I take my holiday then?’ The devoted Newcastle family man is a proud grandparent. Family is a third demand on his time – even when the Tygers are on tour. ‘It’s my grandchildren’s turn next to come and see me play, when they’re old enough. My eldest grandson, who’s 19, came to see me recently,’ says Robb. Putting on your glad rags can seriously improve your career…
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