Farewell to an Old Friend

On Saturday 25 October 2014 we say goodbye to one of the stalwarts of the Virgin Trains’ fleet. Fondly nicknamed the Pretendolino, our MK III set (or WB64 if we are being strictly correct) will make its last ever journey in Virgin Trains’ colours.

The set has seen such sterling service on the West Coast Main Line so it’s only right we mark the occasion in style. With that in mind we have joined forces with Direct Rail Services Limited (DRS) and Railway Magazine to run ‘The Welsh Warrior’, a special charter train that will travel from Crewe to Holyhead and finally terminating at Llandudno (town) taking in a few detours along the way & return.

The motive power will be a pair of DRS Class 37s top-and-tailed with Class 57/3 “Thunderbird” locomotive.

Some of the editorial teams from both Railway Magazine and Rail Express will be on board to chat to passengers.

Crewe departure is expected to be 0826, with a pick up stop at Chester at 1001. On the return, there will be an additional stop at Stafford at 2012 for earlier connections back to London and the West Midlands, the tour continues back to Crewe where it terminates at 2039.

Tickets priced £65 (Standard) and £100 (First) are available only through Railway Magazine and are selling fast. So if you want to be part of history then you will need to act quickly to avoid missing out. Book your seat today via Railway Magazine’s customer services team on 01507 529529. Lines will be open 8.30am to 7pm, Monday to Friday and 8.30am to 12.30pm Saturday or visit www.railwaymagazine.co.uk for more details.

Proceeds from the event, for which so many people are donating their time and resource for free will go to the Royal British Legion.