John Balmforth provides readers with a look at the history of Virgin Trains as they celebrate 15 years of service. Emerging from the franchising process in the 1990s Virgin Trains although branded as a single entity was in fact the product of two distinct franchises: the West Coast Main Line & Inter City Cross-Country. The two franchises were to a considerable extent amongst the most difficult on offer
- the former as a result of its ageing infrastructure & rolling stock & the latter due to the convoluted route network over which it operated
- & in its early years of operation Virgin Trains suffered significant adverse comment. However as the WCML modernisation scheme was gradually completed & as the new high-speed Voyager & Pendelino units came into service so the performance of the franchises enhanced as did the companys reputation. However come franchise renewal the Cross-Country franchise was modified & reallocated to Arriva leaving Virgin Trains to continue operating the West Coast franchise. This album will mark the 15th anniversary of Virgin Trains & will be packed with colour illustrations portraying the evolution of Virgin Trains operations over the period from 1997 to 2012.