I am no fan of Sir Richard Branson or his business partner, Sir Brian Soutar but, for once, they have my sympathies.
From the early 80's until quite recently, I used to travel from the North West to London every month and saw how bad British Rail got before privatisation. The West Coast route was one of the last to be privatised and so Virgin inherited the most shabby and decrepit rolling stock in the country. Trains frequently broke down and almost always ran late.
Despite this, my enduring memory of Virgin Rail will be of their ever helpful and friendly staff. No matter what was going wrong with the trains they would always do their best to look after passengers and try to stay cheerful.
I hope that First Group looks after them properly when they take over the route in January. They have a track record of walking away from past failures and I hope they don't repeat this on the West Coast.
7 comments:
I can't remember the last journey I had on a Virgin train, as were in the dining car enjoying a surfeit of Virgin red, and a huge meal of something or other...
Does beardy own all those carriages? If so, what will the new lot do when he takes them all away and sells/burns them? I agree with you Boss, I think he has been shafted big time, not that we ever had occasion to use his trains very much.
Mr Scrobs: A virgin train? I thought only certain "martyrs" got to enjoy that privilege!
How long before you end up using your car to drive the country of Londonistan with First in charge.
Their staff ought to be smiling. They get rewarded handsomely for it.
Never thought I'd feel sorry for the self promoting old git.
30% above industry average salaries. Night duty rate not given anywhere else. £1000 bonuses for attending compulsory conversion courses. Reduced rates on all Virgin products including phone and flights... a Christmas hamper on your doorstep every year.
Worst of all ... at least 50% of the drivers are exactly the same ones that you had under BR who were paid an utter pittance and expected to know a lot more.
Scrobs: the catering isn't bad on Virgin trains - my only complaint was that they only stocked the awful Virgin brand diet cola rather than the real stuff.
GG: I think that most of the carriages are probably leased, so they will get a retrim and paint job and end up under the First Group branding.
Henry: Unless you book way ahead, it's already a close call when two of you want to travel to London together.
E-K: I think they are worth it. It will be interesting to see if First Group continue with this remuneration package.
HSB: the older he gets, the more creepy and goat-like he becomes, doesn't he?
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