Virgin Trains, Book Trust to launch a nationwide search for a Christmas Train design

LONDON, 2015-9-7 — /Travel PR News/ — Virgin Trains today announces it has partnered with the children’s reading charity, Book Trust, to launch a nationwide search for a Christmas Train design. Primary school age children across Great Britain are being challenged to send in their most festive drawings and win the chance to see their design transform a Pendolino and an InterCity 225 this December. The drawings will be judged by a panel headed up by renowned illustrator and author, Jill Murphy, author of The Worst Witch, and whose most famous book, Five Minutes Peace, is celebrating its 30^th anniversary this year.

The challenge has been inspired by Virgin Trains’ ‘Traindeer’, which last year carried over 65 thousand customers during the Christmas period, and was seen by thousands more when it became a social media hit. The Traindeer was based on a Christmas card by sisters, aged nine and 11. As a result of the Traindeer’s success, this year’s Christmas Train will be seen right across the country with the winning design appearing on both Virgin Trains franchises on the east and west coasts.

Virgin Trains is asking all primary school age children to enter their festive drawings, sketches or paintings, which can be anything from favourite characters, such as Father Christmas, reindeer and elves, through to merry family scenes, sleighs or even snowy landscapes. One winning drawing will be chosen to give two trains the special festive makeover, which will travel on both the West Coast and East Coast networks during December.

Jill Murphy has been brought on board to head up the judging panel, joining Book Trust Chief Executive Diana Gerald, and Virgin Trains. In addition to judging, Jill will be providing signed copies of a special 30^th anniversary edition of Five Minutes Peace.

Jill Murphy said: “I’m really looking forward to seeing all the entries for this exciting competition – I wish I was still at school so I could enter it myself! Just imagine your own design being used to give an actual train a Christmas makeover! I’m delighted that Virgin Trains asked me to be the judge and I promise to look carefully at every single entry; so grab your pens, pencils or paints and get started!”

Patrick McCall, Chairman of Virgin Trains said: “Last year’s Traindeer was such a hit with our customers that we wanted to make this year’s Christmas Train even bigger. Christmas is a special time for everyone at Virgin Trains as we transport people and presents across the country to family, friends and loved ones. Bringing the Christmas train to the entire Virgin Trains network on both routes is a very exciting move for us and we know these festive trains will put smiles on our customers’ faces during the Christmas period. Whether on their way to work or headed home for Christmas, we want this year’s design to light up the journey for every passenger we carry.”

Diana Gerald, Book Trust chief executive, said: “In children’s books it’s often the illustrations that imprint in our memories and inspire a lifelong love of stories and reading. Here’s a chance for young artists to display their talent to millions of people and give passengers a Christmas trip to remember. It doesn’t get much better than having a train wrapped in your own festive drawing. So get those pencils out and let Christmas begin!’

The competition is open to primary age school children aged five to 11. To enter, parents simply email a photograph or scan of the drawing by clicking the “Email my entry” button on www.virginchristmastrain.co.uk, alongside their child’s name, age and region.

A shortlist will be announced week commencing October 26 and the winning design will be unveiled on December 1.

About Virgin Trains
Virgin Trains is the brand name of Virgin Rail Group (VRG), which is owned by Virgin Group (51%) and Stagecoach (49%). Virgin Trains has operated the West Coast passenger train franchise since 1997, serving key UK cities including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Glasgow. In June 2014 the Department for Transport (DfT) awarded VRG a new franchise until at least April 2017.

Virgin Trains is committed to delivering a high speed, high frequency service, offering shorter journey times, more comfortable travel and excellent customer service. We provide the most frequent long-distance rail service in Europe (London – Manchester and London – Birmingham, both every 20 minutes).

Since 1997, Virgin Trains has introduced over 70 new trains at a cost of £1.5 billion. The service carries more than 34.5 million passengers a year and Virgin Trains employs approximately 3,290 staff.

Virgin Trains customers consistently rate the company as one of the top long-distance rail franchise operators in the National Passenger Survey (NPS) commissioned by industry watchdog “Passenger Focus”.

Visit the Virgin Trains Media Room – www.virgintrains.co.uk/mediaroom – for the latest news, images and videos. Subscribe here for regular news from Virgin Trains.

Press Office: 0845 000 3333. Company website: http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/.

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