Virgin has ordered 12 trains from the manufacturer Alstom, and will hope to outshine Eurostar<\/a> on design and customer experience as it fits them out.<\/p>\n While Virgin\u2019s last stab at reimagining UK train travel may have peaked with the talking toilet seat<\/a> on its intercity services in 2013, it has said the future trains will be inspired from its airline, cruise and hotel arms.<\/p>\n Although details are being kept firmly under wraps, it said it would draw on Virgin Atlantic\u2019s airport lounges, or Clubhouses, for \u201cpre-departure and onboard social spaces\u201d with \u201cmore flexibility to work, relax or socialise in style\u201d. Food will be influenced by its cruise line menu and the design by its Virgin Hotels brand.<\/p>\n Josh Bayliss, the chief executive of Virgin Group, said: \u201cVirgin has a proud history in UK rail. With our latest venture we are drawing on more than four decades of experience across travel and hospitality to create something genuinely new.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re confident that more journeys between the UK and Europe<\/a> will be made by train. We\u2019re adding capacity for millions more international rail journeys each year, growing the market as a whole. We\u2019re looking forward to seeing our distinctive red and black trains travelling across Europe.\u201d<\/p>\n Virgin will also look to connect its rail and airline networks, potentially bringing passengers from France for Virgin Atlantic flights.<\/p>\n The Office of Rail and Road on Thursday published an agreement with Eurostar for Virgin to maintain its trains at the Temple Mills international depot in east London<\/a>, with track access in the UK confirmed until at least 2040.<\/p>\n
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