Since 2002, Virgin trains' class 390 Pendolinos have been operating at 125mph between London and The North.
Even though they replaced locomotive hauled push-pull stock, Pendolinos are amazing and have certainly left a mark on rail travel for the better.
Here are 10 brilliant things about the Virgin Pendolino:-
1) The interior: Both the first and standard class interior are lovely, the bold red and blue seats with the clever seating reservation system that no-one really pays any attention to until someone is stood at your table asking you to move out of the seat you have so proudly found on a busy train.
2) The first class lights: I've travelled first class with several other operators and the best is by far Virgin. But as I said yesterday, one of the things I love about the first class experience (Besides the coffee) is those space-age lights on the edge of every table.
3) The On Train Shop: Virgin were the first operator to include the On Train Shop, and it's amazing. You can get food, drinks, news papers and other bits and bobs...
4) Smoothness: The journey on a Pendolino is always very smooth, between Coventry and London Euston anyway!
5) Cleanliness: Every Pendolino that I have been on has been clean and tidy in both First and Standard class.
6) Look: The Pendolino looks amazing compared to most trains, especially Class 350. The way the cab window wraps up onto the roof, the striking colour scheme and the way the doors open with the step folding down to the platform (An idea borrowed from the APT I believe)
7) Onboard WiFi: Well many people have criticised the onboard WiFi on Virgin Trains however I found it very good in First Class, no issues connecting or surfing the web, it is certainly fit for purpose and better than that provided on Chiltern Railways and Cross Country.
8) Names: The names of the Pendolinos are great, it gives us all something to photograph and they look great!
9) They Tilt: Because of the way the West Coast Mainline is constructed higher speeds are harder to get to, in order to get around the many curves the Pendolino can tilt and therefore move faster. This is what APT was aiming for.
10) Passenger Information Indicators on the doors: Another example of how the Pendolino and Virgin trains make the journey easier. I always worry when I'm on the platform that i'm about to get on the wrong train... I'm still worried when I sit down, the only thing that puts me at ease is the announcement by the driver. The Pendolino however has a display on the door that clears all of this doubt up.
Here is an example of what it shows:
Train Number Departure Time Coach
VT5630 10:10 J
Destination Euston
Next Stop Coventry
Those are just some of the reasons that I think the Pendolino is amazing.
This is quite frankly the best advert I've ever seen:
Even though they replaced locomotive hauled push-pull stock, Pendolinos are amazing and have certainly left a mark on rail travel for the better.
Here are 10 brilliant things about the Virgin Pendolino:-
1) The interior: Both the first and standard class interior are lovely, the bold red and blue seats with the clever seating reservation system that no-one really pays any attention to until someone is stood at your table asking you to move out of the seat you have so proudly found on a busy train.
2) The first class lights: I've travelled first class with several other operators and the best is by far Virgin. But as I said yesterday, one of the things I love about the first class experience (Besides the coffee) is those space-age lights on the edge of every table.
4) Smoothness: The journey on a Pendolino is always very smooth, between Coventry and London Euston anyway!
5) Cleanliness: Every Pendolino that I have been on has been clean and tidy in both First and Standard class.
6) Look: The Pendolino looks amazing compared to most trains, especially Class 350. The way the cab window wraps up onto the roof, the striking colour scheme and the way the doors open with the step folding down to the platform (An idea borrowed from the APT I believe)
7) Onboard WiFi: Well many people have criticised the onboard WiFi on Virgin Trains however I found it very good in First Class, no issues connecting or surfing the web, it is certainly fit for purpose and better than that provided on Chiltern Railways and Cross Country.
8) Names: The names of the Pendolinos are great, it gives us all something to photograph and they look great!
9) They Tilt: Because of the way the West Coast Mainline is constructed higher speeds are harder to get to, in order to get around the many curves the Pendolino can tilt and therefore move faster. This is what APT was aiming for.
10) Passenger Information Indicators on the doors: Another example of how the Pendolino and Virgin trains make the journey easier. I always worry when I'm on the platform that i'm about to get on the wrong train... I'm still worried when I sit down, the only thing that puts me at ease is the announcement by the driver. The Pendolino however has a display on the door that clears all of this doubt up.
Here is an example of what it shows:
Train Number Departure Time Coach
VT5630 10:10 J
Destination Euston
Next Stop Coventry
Those are just some of the reasons that I think the Pendolino is amazing.
This is quite frankly the best advert I've ever seen: