All Virgin Trains articles
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Rail Business UKVirgin Trains granted depot access paving the way for launch of Channel Tunnel high speed services
UK: The rail regulator has approved Virgin Trains’ application for depot access which it needs under its plans to launch high speed passenger train services from London through the Channel Tunnel to Paris and Brussels from 2030.
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NewsBranson promises ‘Virgin magic’ to shake-up cross-Channel train services ‘for good’
EUROPE: Virgin Group has set out more details of its planned Channel Tunnel high speed train services and its funding partners, with founder Sir Richard Branson saying ’it’s time to end this 30-year monopoly and bring some Virgin magic to the cross-Channel route’.
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NewsVirgin sets out details of plans to launch Channel Tunnel train services in 2030
EUROPE: Virgin has set out details of its plans to launch high speed train services through the Channel Tunnel, and says it is ready to confirm an order for Alstom trainsets which would enable the start of services from London to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam during 2030.
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NewsRegulator rejects West Coast Main Line open access train service plans
UK: Would-be operators have responded with disappointment to the rail regulator’s decision that there is insufficient capacity to launch three open access passenger train services on the West Coast Main Line.
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Rail Business UKCross-Channel depot has room for one more train operator, says ORR
UK: The rail regulator has concluded that there is room for at most one new Channel Tunnel train operator at the Temple Mills international depot in London.
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NewsIncentive scheme aims to increase international trains on HS1
EUROPE: High Speed 1 concessionaire London St Pancras Highspeed has announced a International Growth Incentive Scheme designed to encourage new and existing train operators to introduce services and increase passenger volumes on the route between London and the Channel Tunnel. Two incentives ...
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Rail Business UKEurostar depot capacity increase to support cross-Channel competition
UK: A report has found that additional capacity could be provided at Temple Mills depot in London to support plans for new cross-Channel passenger services. However incumbent operator Eurostar says the options would not provide sufficient capacity to support even one operator’s plans without significant investment.
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NewsVirgin seeks partners to launch cross-Channel train service
EUROPE: Virgin Group is seeking partners to invest in its planned launch of international high speed train services through the Channel Tunnel. On March 9, the Financial Times reported that Virgin Group is seeking to raise £300m in equity and £400m in debt. A Virgin Group ...
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Rail Business UKFirstGroup makes its case for open access alongside Great British Railways
UK: FirstGroup has set out its case for retaining a ‘thriving’ open access sector as part of the restructured railway, arguing that privately-funded services without government contracts can drive growth across all operators including those to be controlled by Great British Railways.
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News‘Turning point’ reached for potential new Channel Tunnel train operators
EUROPE: The rail industry has finally reached a ‘turning point’ which will facilitate the launch of new international passenger train operators competing with Eurostar on routes to the UK.
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Rail Business UKVirgin plans return to rail as an open access operator
UK: Virgin Group has applied to the Office of Rail & Road for train paths which would enable it to return to the rail network as an open access operator.
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News
Virgin Voyagers to roll this summer
UK: Taking shape at Bombardier Transportation’s BN plant at Brugge in Belgium are the first of 352 DEMU cars for Virgin Rail’s Cross-Country franchise in Britain. The first unit is on course to roll out in June, just 18 months after the £1060m contract was placed (RG 4.99 p223). The ...