Rail check: Virgin Trains First class
Published: 01/04/2010 - Filed under: Archive » 2010 » April 2010 » Tried & Tested » Tried & Tested » Archive » 2010 » April 2010 » Tried & Tested » Rail »
BACKGROUND Virgin’s 200km/ph Pendolino trains run from London Euston to Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow. From Euston to Liverpool Lime Street, the first train departs on weekdays at 0527 (arriving at 0801), followed by 0707 and then an hourly service (with extra trains during the evening rush hour) until 2107. The first service from Liverpool also leaves at 0527 (arriving at 0750), followed by trains at 0605 and 0700, and then hourly at 48 minutes past the hour until 2048.
THE LOUNGE Virgin’s first class lounge is located above Marks and Spencer. It was packed when I arrived at 1700, and I ended up on a stool by a TV showing BBC News 24. The main seating area has a sofa, coffee table and stools, while a business centre has desks, sockets and a printer – wifi is free. There is also a quieter room with departure boards, and phone charging facilities. Free refreshments included coffee and orange juice, apples and a rather dry chocolate cake, while alcoholic drinks were available from a bar, at £2 for a beer, glass of wine or spirit (mixers are free). The lounge was adequate, but felt tired and had it been any busier, I would have gone to sit in the main concourse. I left the lounge at 1715, allowing plenty of time to board my 1733 train.
The SEAT The first class section was located in the front two carriages and was arranged in groups of four or two forward- and backward-facing seats, with a table between each pair or quartet. The storage space overhead was big enough to hold the carry-on case I use for flights. I had been allocated seat 27 in coach J – a forward-facing aisle seat in a group of four. The three other passengers all knew each other and at first I wished I had been sat in one of the pairs, but they turned out to be friendly. There is free wifi in first class, provided by T-Mobile Hotspot, as well as individual seat power. The seat was comfortable and there was a lamp on the table, although the carriage was amply lit.
THE JOURNEY We left on time and soon after departure I was offered an evening meal (available 5pm-7pm). The choice was a tasty venison stew or a chicken dish (a vegetarian option is available on request, or you can have a sandwich), and either a chocolate dessert or cheese and biscuits.
A full breakfast is served until 10am, with “light bites” between 10am and 4pm, and after 7pm. Virgin offers weekend first class upgrades for £15, which includes lounge access, although there is no meal service at the weekend – first class passengers receive free tea, coffee, water, crisps, biscuits and fruit instead. We arrived on time at 1955, and I walked past the new-looking first class lounge at Lime Street.
PRICE Internet rates for a first class midweek day-return fare from London to Liverpool booked one week in advance started from £79.50.
VERDICT A good meal service and comfortable seating. The lounge is adequate if very busy at peak hours.
Mark Caswell
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