Virgin Trains - Serving the West Coast Routes

Part of the colossal Virgin Group, Virgin Trains has become a major player in the UK railway market, just as it has in the world of air travel. Offering the convenience of a terminus at London Euston, Virgin runs five major routes up and down the country that serve both business and leisure users, and is now one of the top providers of rail travel in the UK.

The main West Coast line runs from Euston up the western part of the country, through stations such as Stafford, Crewe and Preston, and northwards to Glasgow Central. Edinburgh is reached by way of a line that terminates at either the Scottish capital or at Birmingham International, depending upon the direction you are travelling in.

Alternative lines run from Euston to the Midlands connection at Sandwell and Dudley near Birmingham, from Euston to Liverpool Lime Street, and also from Euston to Manchester Piccadilly, giving Virgin coverage of most of the country.

London to Glasgow

This is the main route for Virgin Trains and is the acknowledged West Coast Main Line, a vital artery taking passengers up and down the country all the time, often on the advanced Pendolino trains run by Virgin. Leaving Euston, trains run through Watford Junction and Milton Keynes - both important places for links to other networks - and then into the northern counties with Crewe, Warrington and Carlisle notable stops on the way, and the exciting city of Glasgow at the far north. Trains can go to Edinburgh thanks to links on some journeys.

A branch after Rugby allows for some trains to head into the Midlands and serve both Birmingham City and Birmingham International, both important transport hubs for this area of the country.

Manchester and the North West

Two Virgin Trains routes take passengers to Manchester Piccadilly: one branches from the main line after Lichfield and passes through Stoke on Trent and Macclesfield, and this then joins a line that is accessible from a branch after Crewe that runs through Wilmslow, on to Stockport and beyond to Manchester.

Stockport is noticeable for its magnificent railway viaduct - still among the biggest brick built constructions in Europe - while Manchester itself is a city that offers a vibrant, cosmopolitan feel and a diversity of culture that is difficult to beat.

A second spar after Crewe allows for trains to head west into Wales. Running through historic Chester, the popular seaside towns of Rhyl, Prestatyn and others on the North Wales coast, this line continues across the beautiful Menai Rail Bridge into Anglesey, and northwards to Holyhead for ferries to Ireland.

The Virgin Trains routes cover some of the most beautiful scenery in the country with the North Wales coast, the Potteries region, Cumbria and the Scottish Borders all impressive and worth a visit, while there is much to see at many of the stations - major and minor - along the route.

Discount Deals on Virgin Trains

Like most providers of rail journeys Virgin Trains offers excellent discounts for advance booking, and the website - www.virgintrains.co.uk - offers excellent advice on saving money by booking trains running at less popular times of the day. Group bookings may be subject to discounted fares as are Railcard holders and there are also discounts for booking online.

An excellent journey planner allows you to devise the best route for your required trip, and there are regular updates regarding special offers and deals for Virgin Trains users.

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