Virgin Christmas trains are launched

Virgin Christmas trains

Virgin Trains is wishing its customers a happy festive time by running two specially-painted Christmas trains.

A Pendolino transformed into a Penguilino (for the West Coast) and a Class 91 made over as Claus 91 (for the East Coast) appeared side by side for the first time today at London’s King’s Cross Station.

Virgin Christmas trains

The unveiling marks the end of a nationwide competition for primary schoolkids for a Christmas Train design. Joint winners, nine-year-old Amber Maxfield and Madeleine Deakin, 11 (above) were there to see their festive drawings come to life.

The competition had hundreds of entries and was run in partnership with the Book Trust. The judging panel – headed by Jill Murphy, author of the popular Worst Witch and The Large Family series – were so impressed by the entries that two winners were chosen.

Jill said: ‘‘I am honoured to have been part of this exciting project. We received so many wonderful entries and Madeleine and Amber’s designs stood out as fun designs with a real Christmas feel to them.’’

Madeleine, from Copdock in Suffolk, said “I’m so happy to have won and it was incredible to see my drawing on the train – it’s made me even more excited about Christmas!”

Amber, from Carlisle, added: “When I found out I’d won I just couldn’t believe it! Seeing my drawing on a train and coming to London is a dream come true.”

Patrick McCall, chairman of Virgin Trains, said: ‘‘We loved the concepts that these two young designers came up with and are proud to have their ideas transform two trains.

“It’s fantastic that both the East Coast and West Coast services have come together to make our customers’ journeys throughout December extra special – especially on their way home for Christmas.’’

The Christmas trains will run on the Virgin Trains network throughout this month. See Virgin Trains