10.01.08
Penny the Pendolino becomes 'One in a Million'
A Virgin Trains' Pendolino tilting train, designed, built and maintained by Alstom, has become the first of the 52-strong fleet to clock up a million miles.
Train No. 390022, named Penny the Pendolino, clocked up the magical million miles on Tuesday 8 January 2008, as it worked the 17:15 from London Euston to Glasgow. The train clocked up its million miles just south of Bletchley in Buckinghamshire.
Passenger numbers on Virgin's West Coast routes have increased by 40% since the introduction of Pendolino trains in 2003. Almost 21 million passenger journeys are now made with Virgin Trains every year. In travelling one million miles, Penny the Pendolino has travelled the equivalent of two return trips to the moon; or over 1,230 return trips from Glasgow to London.
The popularity and intensive use of the Pendolino trains means that they will each clock up a million miles in around half the time trains took a decade ago. In providing a 24/7 maintenance regime for the Pendolino fleet, Alstom ensures that the trains can meet their demanding schedule every day.
The state-of-the-art 125mph Pendolino trains emit on average 76% less carbon dioxide per seat than domestic airlines and are also saving energy and reducing pollution as they return energy to the electrical feeder stations every time they brake. The 52 tilting trains, designed, built and maintained by Alstom, are fitted with electronic control systems that cause the traction motors to provide braking effort by generating electricity back into the supply system. The generated electricity which is put back into the supply system achieves an overall energy saving of 17 percent.
Regenerative braking used on the Pendolino trains also reduces the use of the friction brakes, dramatically reducing brake-pad dust and pollution, to provide a double environmental benefit.
Virgin Trains Managing Director Chris Gibb said: "This is a landmark for our Pendolino fleet, which also provides valuable benefits to the environment. We know that our passengers care about the environment and they can travel in the knowledge that by choosing to travel by train, they are doing their bit to save the planet and reduce consumption of energy."
Alstom Transport UK Managing Director Paul Robinson said: "This milestone again demonstrates Alstom and Virgin's round the clock teamwork in providing a safe, high-performance Pendolino fleet every day. We are fully committed to supporting Virgin in delivering a world-class intercity service."
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]