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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Virgin train speed record attempt | Virgin train speed record attempt |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| A new train speed record is being attempted on the Glasgow to London line to raise money for charity. | A new train speed record is being attempted on the Glasgow to London line to raise money for charity. |
| Virgin Trains is hoping to make the 401 mile journey in under four hours and break the record set 25 years ago of four hours and 14 minutes. | Virgin Trains is hoping to make the 401 mile journey in under four hours and break the record set 25 years ago of four hours and 14 minutes. |
| The operator said it would show what had been achieved by the new Pendolino tilting trains and a line upgrade. | |
| The £30,000 ticket money will go to a charity providing motorbikes for the delivery of healthcare in Africa. | The £30,000 ticket money will go to a charity providing motorbikes for the delivery of healthcare in Africa. |
| The train left Glasgow Central station at 1237 BST prompt carrying 400 passengers. | |
| It is hoped it will reach Euston station in London by about 1630 BST. | It is hoped it will reach Euston station in London by about 1630 BST. |
| Sixty years ago it took me nine hours 25 minutes. It's going to be such a thrill Passenger Neil Ker | |
| Speaking before he boarded the train, Virgin West Coast Trains Managing Director Charles Belcher said: "It's going to be a nail-biting event from beginning to end." | |
| "We want to run this train at under four hours from here to London and demonstrate what can be done and then turn that into a reality on a regular basis." | |
| Train driver Russell Southworth, 40, from Preston, said the journey was a dream come true. | |
| "I'm very proud," he said. | |
| "It'll be a challenge but I'm confident we'll do it. | |
| "Ever since I was a young child, it's been an ambition of mine to do something like this." | |
| Heaven's Angels | |
| Many passengers travelled from around the country to be part of the record attempt. | |
| Rail enthusiast Neil Ker from Ludlow, Shropshire, was making the trip to celebrate his 80th birthday. | |
| He said: "For me, it's about the excitement of making this journey in four hours. | |
| "Sixty years ago it took me nine hours 25 minutes. It's going to be such a thrill." | |
| Before setting off, the train was officially named Heaven's Angels by Nick Pigott of Railway Magazine. | |
| Heaven's Angels is the name of the Virgin-supported charity which is receiving more than £30,000 as a result of the landmark journey. | |
| The current record was set by British Rail's ill-fated tilting Advanced Passenger Train in the early 1980s. | The current record was set by British Rail's ill-fated tilting Advanced Passenger Train in the early 1980s. |
| Billions of pounds have been spent on upgrading the West Coast Main Line. | Billions of pounds have been spent on upgrading the West Coast Main Line. |
| The record attempt coincides with Virgin's announcement that its West Coast punctuality has improved from 80% of trains running on time in June 2005 to 88% in June 2006. | The record attempt coincides with Virgin's announcement that its West Coast punctuality has improved from 80% of trains running on time in June 2005 to 88% in June 2006. |