And they're off!
Press Contacts
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Virgin launched this inaugural journey to celebrate the
Commonwealth Games. On arrival in Manchester, where the games are
taking place, Frances Done, Chief Executive Manchester 2002
Limited, named the train 'Commonwealth Games 2002' in the
presence of Sir Richard Branson and the athlete, Darren
Campbell.
Virgin Trains has ordered 53 Pendolino trains from Alstom at a
capital cost of £600 million. Eight trains have been
delivered so far from Alstom's Washwood Heath factory and the
remaining 45 will be delivered by autumn 2003. The Pendolino is
set to become the fastest train operating in the UK with sports
car acceleration, a design speed of 140mph and a tilting
mechanism which will allow it to take curves 20% faster than
conventional trains.
Press contact:
Elaine West
Tel.: + 44 0121 695 3763
elaine.west@transport.alstom.com