Virgin Trains is reminding passengers to check times and book seats in plenty of time as services around the holiday period on all their routes ‘are likely to be very busy’.
Seats can be booked when purchasing tickets online at virgintrains.com, by phone on 0871 977 4222, or in person at Virgin Trains’ stations.
Apart from Christmas Day and Boxing Day when there will be no services, trains will be running every day.
Day by day summary of services
Saturday 24 December: Weekday service. Services reduced from early evening in preparation for a mid-evening shutdown.
Sunday 25 and Monday 26 December: No services
Tuesday 27 December: Weekday service although some early morning trains will be withdrawn.
Two out of the four lines south of Rugby will be closed for route improvement work which means Euston to Manchester and Euston to Birmingham services will be reduced from three to two trains each hour with most North Wales and Chester services running only as far south as Crewe.
Trains will be unable to run between Wolverhampton and Stafford in both directions until 12:00 which will result in Birmingham to Scotland services being diverted via an alternative route and not serving Wolverhampton, with replacement coaches running between Wolverhampton and Stafford.
Improvement work at Edinburgh station will mean that Edinburgh to Birmingham services will depart earlier than normally scheduled.
Wednesday 28 December, Thursday 29 December, Friday 30 December: Weekday service.
Saturday 31 December: Saturday service. Services reduced from early evening in preparation for a mid-evening shutdown.
Sunday 1 January: Sunday service. Some early morning services withdrawn.
Because of route improvement work, Euston to Manchester services will be reduced from three to two trains per hour in both directions and will not serve Stoke-on-Trent, Macclesfield, and Stockport.
These stations will instead be served by replacement coaches that will connect with the Euston to Manchester services.
Improvement work at Edinburgh station will mean that Edinburgh to Birmingham services will depart EARLIER than normally scheduled.
Monday 2 January (Bank Holiday): Weekday service. No route improvement work.
Tuesday 3 January: Weekday service.
Ticketing
Time restrictions on Off-Peak tickets will be lifted from Noon on Friday 23 December through to close of service on 2 January while First Class upgrades will be available at up to £15.00 per single journey from Tuesday 27 December through to Monday 2 January inclusive.
Catering in First Class
Although the full First Class catering offer will be withdrawn between Tuesday 27 December and Monday 2 January inclusive, First Class customers travelling on Pendolino trains will receive at their seats a selection of hot drinks, water, crisps, biscuits and fresh fruit.
First Class customers travelling on Super Voyagers can collect refreshments from The Shop between Tuesday 27 December and Monday 2 January.
