HS2

14.12.15

Virgin Trains introduces new services to London from Sunderland and Stirling

Virgin Trains East Coast has launched a new range of services to London today (14 December) from Stirling and Sunderland in response to passenger demand for more early morning departures. 

A number of local dignitaries travelled on-board both inaugural services, with the rail minister, Claire Perry MP, meeting the new Sunderland service at London King’s Cross Station. She also named the Virgin Train ‘Spirit of Sunderland’. 

David Horne, managing director of Virgin Trains on its east coast route, said: “This is a hugely exciting day for us as we launch more services, and add Sunderland to the Virgin rail map.” 

Virgin Trains has also announced that from today, it will operate a new evening service between Hull and Doncaster. The new service will open up new travel opportunities for customers seeking to travel to London. 

Perry said: “It is fantastic to see the start of these new services from Sunderland and Stirling. As a one nation government, we know that transport doesn’t just help hardworking people get around, it helps them get on.

“These new services will provide better journeys for customers and boost economic ties between Scotland, the north east and London, stimulating growth and helping rebalance our economy.” 

A fleet of 65 new Virgin Trains will also be introduced on the East Coast Main Line from 2018 under the Intercity Express Programme. These trains are being built by Hitachi at its plant in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. 

TIMETABLE 

Sunderland to London

Sunderland dep: 05:40

London King’s Cross arr: 09.08 

Stirling to London

Stirling dep: 05:26

London King’s Cross arr: 10.52

 Hull to Doncaster

Hull dep: 20:28

Brough dep: 20:42

Selby dep: 21:03

Doncaster dep: 21.22

Comments

Christopher Mcmillan   14/12/2015 at 15:16

Very proud to see a new direct service from Stirling to London its great for both Business and tourism. It will be more handy for mme at times as I will not need to change at Edinburgh for the 06.55pm VTEC service if travelling down south of the border. Before I had to get the 05.47 Scotrail service from Falkirk Grahamston so will not need to now. Its also great for the people of Falkirk my home town getting them into London much early. Cant wait to be at Grahamston station to watch it coming in and departing out as I always love watching the trains there.

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