PENDOLINO
DAY
JUNE 16th 2002 |
The Virgin Trains
Pendolino Day was publicised heavily in the local area and I went
along to see the new trains alongside the original APT, now repainted
jointly by Virgin and Pete Waterman. The first disappointment
was finding that I had to pay £13.50 for three people to
gain admission to what was a Virgin Trains Press Call. The second
was when I was ejected from a viewing platform (upper right) because
it was "Press Only". I was directed to the signal box
in the distance where binoculars were not provided. The
Press members did not pay to get in.
Before
I was rudely ejected I managed to take a few shots, this was one
of Pendolino 390006 conveniently hidden from ground level view
by the Virgin Trains black shroud covering the fencing. Why was
the train hidden from view in this way? Why were people enticed
to the site on the pretext that the Pendolino would be on view
and does this contravene any consumer regulations? What could
have been an enjoyable and successful day was spoiled by what
appeared to be a lack of corporate feeling, it could be said that
Virgin Trains snatched defeat from the jaws of victory.
I
also managed this compilation of APT 370003 under the red cover,
Pendolino 360006 and Voyager 220010 "Ribble Voyager"
en route North along the West Coast Main Line. Note the black
screen.
Pete Waterman
(L) and Virgin Trains Chief Executive Chris Green during the speech
making. Afterwards I complained to Mr.Green that I had paid a
not inconsiderable sum to gain entry to a PR exercise only to
be prohibited from seeing the APT and Pendolino together. He listened
politely and said he would see to it........guess what!
The APT after
unveiling, complete with working headlights.
Another
of the events of the day was the naming of a class 90 in memory
of Tom Clarke O.B.E.. The locomotive was 90014 but I didn't stay
for the ceremony, the day had turned sour. Freightliner's 66526
had earlier delivered the AC electric to the site and later removed
it back into service.
"Jenny"
was providing rides around the site for children.
In
attendance was 6201 "Princess Elizabeth"
which was in steam and "shunting". 6233 "Duchess
of Sutherland" fresh from its historic ride along
the North Wales Coast with the Royal Train is in the background.
Two Stanier pacifics back home....