Memorably described by the late Robert Adley MP as, ‘a poll tax on wheels’, by the mid-1990s the Conservative policy of privatising Britain’s railway industry was uderway. This involved the creation of a track-owning business – Railtrack – three rolling stock companies and 25 franchisees, or Train Operating Companies (TOCs). Of the 25 TOCs created, some were relatively straightforward. These were amongst the easiest to let to franchisees. Two of the most complex and problematic, for very different reasons, were created from BR’s erstwhile InterCity sector: the West Coast main line and Cross Country franchises. The WCML had suffered from years of under-investment, its ageing 25kV equipment and rolling stock needing replacement. CrossCounty, with a hugely complicated network of services radiating out from Birmingham, had to operate through the territory of virtually every other TOC.
These two franchises were awarded to a new entrant to the railway industry: Richard Branson’s Virgin Group. The new franchisee, with its dramatic red and black livery, was soon to have an impact on the public consciousness although its had serious problems in its early years, compounded by the massive investment scheme in the West Coast main line designed to allow higher-speeds. In order to develop their business, Virgin Trains brought in the inspirational Chris Green to head the operation and also sold a minority shareholding to Stagecoach, a company already actively involved in railway operation through South West Trains. Under Green, Virgin Trains undertook a massive investment in new rolling stock for both franchises – the Voyagers for InterCity CrossCounty and Pendolinos for the West Coast route. Although these new trains had their teething problems, both have now helped to revolutionise travel on Virgin’s two franchises.
It is now a decade since Virgin was awarded the franchises and thus an opportune time to examine the development of the services over these years. In Virgin Trains: A Decade of Progress John Balmforth, who was privy to much of the company’s strategic thinking as a result of his role with the Rail Passengers Committee for the Midlands, examines the state of the businesses inherited by Virgin, how the TOCs coped with the massive investment required and overcame the problems with the new fleets of rolling stock. With contributions from many of the major figures involved, including Sir Richard Branson and Chris Green, this book provides the first in-depth analysis of any of the major franchisees to have been published. As such it will be of interest to enthusiasts and professionals alike. All royalties from the book’s publication are being donated to the Railway Children charity.
Title: Virgin Trains - A Decade of Progress
Author: John Balmforth
Format: HB 96 pages
Publisher: Ian Allan Ltd
Pub date: April 2007
ISBN 10: 0711032246
ISBN 13: 9780711032248
List Price: £19.99
