Virgin Trains says it has no knowledge of plans to operate a Pendolino along the East Coast Main Line.
The train operator, which is seeking an extension to its West Coast franchise, says that it plans to run the first new Pendolino, due to arrive later this year, on Scotland to Birmingham services in an effort to relieve overcrowding on this popular route. Virgin also plan to extend the trains to London, which would restore some direct Milton Keynes to Scotland services and release a Super Voyager for use on a new service linking Manchester with Heathrow (Hayes).
It was also revealed that Virgin has developed a business case for an additional 42 Pendolino vehicles, which would involve no additional cost to the Government. If this proposal is given the go ahead every Pendolino set will be formed of 11 vehicles.
