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Virgin Trains

Avanti West Coast is the principal operator on the West Coast Main Line, and has submitted five different bids for extra train paths as it seeks to return services that were withdrawn during COVID. But it faces competition from a posse of open access operators. AWC 805005 approaches Rugeley Trent Valley on May 10, during a Class 805 ‘Evero’ test run. ALAMY.

Comment

Snap Analysis: It's the end of the open season for open access

The decision from The Office of Rail and Road could spell the end of many open access operators aspirations for expansion as the reality of the ECML and WCML capacity issues begins to bite.

Industry views 3 Jul

Temple Mills International Depot yard. DAVID STUBBINGS.

News

Next deadline in Temple Mills depot application process is put back

Request to push back first deadline is made by "one of the applicants".

Temple Mills 30 Jun

Eurostar train stands at St Pancras. ALAMY.

News

New incentive scheme launched for prospective Channel Tunnel operators

London St. Pancras Highspeed, the newly branded name for HS1 Ltd, has unveiled an initiative designed to enhance international rail travel between the UK and Europe.

HS1 4 Apr

803002 working Lumo's 1S93 1045 Kings Cross to Edinburgh through Little Ponton in Lincolnshire on August 5 2022. PAUL CLARK

News

DfT opposes eight out of nine open access applications citing revenue and performance concerns

Department for Transport said several did not meet the abstraction threshold, and raised several other concerns.

Open access 10 Feb

Allan McLean travelling on a Virgin Trains Pendolino during a media breakfast to mark his retirement in 2012. VIRGIN TRAINS.

News

Former BR and Virgin Trains press officer Allan McLean dies aged 78

He played a key role in saving the Anglo-Scottish sleeper services and reopening the Borders Railway.

People 29 Jan

Lumo 803 001 arrives at Newcastle Central forming the 1525 Edinburgh-King’s Cross on August 6 2022. Lumo is one of three open access operators on the East Coast Main Line. ANTONY GUPPY.

News

Office of Rail and Road inundated with more than 80 track applications

The ORR is shifting through more than 80 track applications after putting out a call for bids earlier this year

Office of Rail and Road 2 Dec

Two Eurostar services at London St Pancras station

News

ORR working with Channel Tunnel hopefuls as they try to secure depot space and challenge Eurostar

Two operators, Evolyn and Virgin, want to start their own passenger services through the Channel Tunnel and challenge Eurostar

Channel Tunnel 28 Nov

News

Avanti vows forward-thinking on West Coast

Avanti brand launched for West Coast Partnership

27 Nov

News

Virgin Trains takes record number of Glasgow airline passengers

Record market share for Virgin Trains

27 Nov

News

First Trenitalia to operate West Coast Partnership from December 2019

First Trenitalia replaces Virgin Trains on West Coast Main Line from December, and will be shadow operator of HS2

14 Aug

Services will continue on towards Manchester Victoria after passing through Crewe. JACK BOSKETT.

News

Virgin considers bidding for Spanish operations

Virgin calls UK rail "uninvestable" as it eyes Spanish rail market, but union calls comments "shallow"

10 Jul

News

GALLERY: Crewe open day raises £55,000 for charity

Charities benefit from Crewe open day

15 Jun

News

Virgin proposes London-Liverpool open access service

Virgin Trains applies to run open access services on West Coast Main Line from 2021

11 Jun

News

Virgin Trains deploys staff to manage football crowds

Designated carriages for football fans as Virgin Trains introduces staff to deal with crowds

2 Jan

News

Virgin Trains completes It’s a Wonderful Life installation

Virgin Trains works with Rethink Mental Illness to recognise the impact the festive period has on vulnerable people

19 Dec

News

First electric train at Blackpool North

Pendolino arrives at Blackpool North ahead of introduction of electric services

16 May

Virgin Trains 390010 The Cumbrian Spirit stands at Edge Hill, following its repaint by Alstom at its nearby Widnes facility. VIRGIN TRAINS.

News

Virgin Trains' first repainted Pendolino back in traffic

First new-look Pendolino in traffic with Virgin Trains

18 Sept

Virgin Trains 390104 at London Euston prior to working the 2300 to Manchester Piccadilly on September 4. RICHARD CLINNICK.

News

Britain's hardest working train

Britain's hardest working train

4 Sept

News

Testing takes IEP train to Scotland for the first time

Intercity Express Programme trains reached Scotland for the first time on August 16, when the first IEP ran to Dunbar for testing.

18 Aug

News

Virgin Trains accelerates journeys with eight-minute London-Scotland film

Virgin Trains is inviting customers to experience travel between Scotland and London in just eight minutes

2 Aug

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Most read

67003 in EWS livery whilst stabled at Plymouth in August 2001. MARK PIKE.

No takers so first DB Cargo UK Class 67 goes for scrap

DB Cargo UK 2 Jun

Artist's impression of a Class 222 in Lumo colours. LUMO.

FirstGroup explains why Class 222s were "only option" for Lumo Euston-Stirling service

6 Jun

DB Cargo 66181, in red livery, passes Barrow upon Soar on the Midland Main Line on September 6 2024, with the 1055 East Midlands Gateway-Felixstowe North intermodal. The unit has been identified as one of those next in line for conversion. PAUL BIGGS.

DB Cargo UK discussing transferring drivers to rival as it deals with Network Rail contract loss

DB Cargo UK 27 May

Stored SWR Class 701s and former West Midlands Railway Class 323s at Long Marston. JACK BOSKETT/RAIL.

UK "fails to provide trains people want or like"

Rail Live 2 Jul

DB Cargo UK 66139 shunts wagons at Cemex's Dallam Freight Depot, Warrington. DAVID STUBBINGS.

16 DB Cargo UK drivers switching to rival

DB Cargo UK 11 Jul

An East Midlands Railway Class 222 approaches Braybrooke on the Midland Main Line. PAUL BIGGS.

Further MML electrification and York capacity projects paused

Midland Main Line 8 Jul

90021, hauling the 1610 Deepcar-Finsbury Park ‘Last Chance’ charter (which it worked from Doncaster RMT), stands at Peterborough on April 8 2023. The ‘90’ has been acquired by Freightliner from DB Cargo. PIP DUNN.

DB Cargo sells three more Class 90s for reuse

DB Cargo UK 7 Jul

An East Midlands Railway Class 222 approaches Braybrooke on the Midland Main Line. PAUL BIGGS.

FirstGroup confirms Class 222s for Euston-Stirling Lumo route

Lumo 2 Jun

Off-lease 221104 passes Wellington as part of a driver training run between Central Rivers TMD and Wrexham. ALISTAIR COX.

All three West Coast Main Line open access bid rejected

Open access 3 Jul

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