Virgin 221s on the Chiltern Main Line

[JamieLei]

Virgin Trains have announced plans to run a direct Birmingham International to London Euston service via the Chiltern Main Line, operated by double 221 units. The service will call at Coventry, before running direct to Euston via Leamington, Banbury, Bicester North, Gerrards Cross, Greenford, West Ealing and Willesden.

As of writing, the timetable hasn't been loaded into the database yet, so journey times are unknown. Methinks it would still be faster to change at Birmingham for Chiltern Railways, as the trail round North London would be undoubtedly slow.

Further Reading:
TheRailwayCentre.com - Virgin announce West Coast route 'blockbuster' service
Railwaypeople.com - Virgin Launches Blockade Runner

OT Edit: Chiltern Railways letter to the ORR So if VWC can use the Chiltern Main Line, why cant Chiltern use the WCML between Coventry and Birmingham?

[Ameecher]

The Chiltern bubble car has been out on route learning duties on the route.

[Dave]

That is partly true, but for some time over the last 12 months, Chiltern HAS operated in to Birmingham New Street on Sundays.

I think the point is that Chiltern like having their own terminus in Birmingham - and still must hold out some hope about the possibility of re-opening Moor Street's terminii platforms. Especially with LM operating their own stopping services to Euston from New Street now, they're aware that brand identity is key, so to be the sole users of Birmingham Moor Street (I know LM City does, but that's besides the point) means that they have some form of presence in Birmingham - New Street is used by 4 operators at last count (VWC, AXC, LM, ATW) and so there'd be no way of promoting their services as different if they all went to New Street.

So much traffic is on the lines to London these days, though, with W&S, Chiltern, LM and VT.

[JamieLei]

So much traffic is on the lines to London these days, though, with W&S, Chiltern, LM and VT.

And yet they all cater to different markets! Virgin, with 4 out of 9 coaches designated as first class (a greater ratio than any other operator I beleive) caters to the business market that want to get to places fast and in comfort. Chiltern and LM on the other hand cater to the leisure market with (mainly if not all) standard class seating, slower journey times and little to no catering.

W&S is a special case, not serving the Birmingham market as its key agenda.

The brilliant thing is it gives us, the consumer a choice as who the travel with. And we choose whichever operator is best value for what we need, so operators keep their fares down. This is the market mechanism in action, and privatisation working as it should [cue debate].

[Ameecher]

I think you'll find that LM cater just as much for the business market just focussing more on the intermediate locations rather than end to end. They're pretty lucky with their route because during the peaks their trains will be full both ways, admittedly not for the full journey. I wonder how many people actually use LM over the full London - Birmingham route?

[Kevo00]

I'm not an expert on this stretch, but surely Chiltern and LM are more focussed on the commuter market rather than the business market (that being people traveling home to business not business to business). Just they are lucky to have a big city at each end allowing two way commuting.

[JamieLei]

I wonder how many people actually use LM over the full London - Birmingham route?

I do. Well I would if the West Coast Mainline wasn't down for maintenance every single weekend until December! It's cheaper than a Chiltern one day travelcard by a few pounds.

There was always a Birmingham to London Desiro fare, even in the days of Central and Silverlink althugh not very well advertised. London Midland are making a bit more of an effort, and ticket offices certainly do ask which company would you like to take (read it on another forum).

Come this December, London Midland will operate more through services (many do already but it's not on timetables as such).

I think you'll find that LM cater just as much for the business market just focussing more on the intermediate locations rather than end to end.

I doubt I hear of many business executives travelling to top-notch meetings in Hemel Hemstead or CEOs meeting in Lea Hall. Like Kevin said, Virgin do the Business stuff, with business travelling between cities.

Plus, most business travel is fully paid for. If you can claim back your expenses, why would you travel from London to Birmingham via Northampton and take an extra hour?... You'd travel first class (if permitted) and enjoy a meal on Virgin.