The LNER Encyclopedia

We thought Flying Scotsman looked Silly with LNER apple green and the germs
Then theres Olton Hall
Thank god Branson does not buy an A4 or even scotsman
Heres another caption comp looming

Virgin trains decide to step back in time to find the solution to lack of high speed trains.

Virgin Trains had mistaken the A4 Class for their new Super Voyger trains, how ever nobody had actually pointed out this error to VT, not to mention there was a load of odd looking trains sitting in many sidings across the country which strangely seemed to be losing parts slowly, this is thought to be something to do with GNER, it is thought that they are stealing the parts ready for when Virgin realise their mistake and then Repaint the A4's to their original and start using the Super Voyager's only to realise their strangely broken.

So 126.5 mph Duck is better than 125 mph tilt.
Branson realises that not all the virgin system is open to penderlinos and gos for something a little quicker lol

Tom Quayle wrote:Branson realises that not all the virgin system is open to penderlinos

It was never intended to be, was it?

Call me contrary, but in my opinion the Pendolino is a pretty impressive piece of equipment. A colleague of mine was personally involved in the simulation of the rescue of a "failed" Pendolino on Beattock bank, as part of the acceptance trials. The "failed" train was stuffed with water-filled containers to simulate a full passenger payload, and a second Pendolino, similarly loaded, sent in to tie on and assist up the bank from Beattock old station to Beattock Summit. The combined trains hit the summit, I am told, at 69mph.

Sure, the 390 interiors are a bit Moonbase Alpha and the well-publicised problems with the kharzis have been embarassing. And I wouldn't care to sit next to Richard Branson on the bus. But similar - more severe, even - problems beset Sir Nigel Gresley: for example, the extensive redesign of the V2 leading bogie.

Still, that picture is a very nice bit of Photoshopping.

I wouldn't care to sit next to Richard Branson on the bus

Lol thats all you do between Preston and Carlisle with Vergin lol 60mph is the speed for now

Is that a new route restriction?

About 5 years ago, I remember driving south on the M6 from Penrith, and being passed by a Virgin "box" (Class 86 or 87 I guess - I don't know my WCML electrics very well). Looking on a map, I think this must have been in either the Shap or Tebay area.

And being on the motorway, I would have been doing 60-70mph.
I remember the Misses (probably fiance then!) commenting on how fast it was going. To be fair, her yardstick for passenger trains are the local refurbished Budd RDCs (dmus contemporary with BR Mk1 stock), and F59phis - 60 mph is about the top speed an F59phi can reach around here before they have to stop for a station. The long distance freight is much slower of course.


Richard

richard wrote:Is that a new route restriction?

I think Tom means weekend engineering work (carried out by Network Rail, not Virgin) with bus substitutions.

The normal operational speed for a Pendolino varies, of course, but they are capable of substantially more than the 125mph EPS limits to which they are currently restricted.

I have to say Aww heck no!

Meanwhile back at the caption competition:

Virgin announce sponsorship deal for the new Harry Potter film. Or Branson bemused by the failure of Virgin's bid to win the new East Coast franchise.

New caption comp aahy?

well how about.
Papers announce that the news that National Express had won the East Coast Franchise were wrong.
or
John Cameron desperate to return his K4 to the mainline accepts sponsership deal with virgin.

OUCH!!!
That hurts the eyes!

Regards

Colin