Riviera Trains Limited

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	Last Updated: Sunday 13th April 2008

Friday 11th April - ‘The return of the Royal Scot' The Royal Scot Page

Riviera Trains, the UK’s largest charter train provider, has reached agreement with Virgin Trains for the use of the Royal Scot train name. The historic name will be used by Riviera Trains on its programme of premier steam-hauled excursions which will be operated in conjunction with the Railway Touring Company as part of a five year contract. The Royal Scot name is licensed to West Coast Trains Limited, which trades as Virgin Trains, and has been made available to Riviera Trains under an agreement which runs to the end of the current West Coast franchise in March 2012.

Riviera Trains Operations Director, Charles Paget, said: “We are delighted to have reached agreement with Virgin Trains for the use of the Royal Scot name. Our contract with The Railway Touring Company will see us running 85 trains this year alone and are investing half a million pounds in refurbishing a fleet of 13 Mk1 coaches for use on these prestigious trains. This will be the last major investment in Mk1 vehicles and shows our commitment to delivering the highest quality of service for our partners.”

The Mk1 coaches are being repainted into the famous “Blood and Custard” livery which they carried on their introduction in 1951 and the First Class vehicles feature the traditional armchair-style seats, table lamps and full size tables.

The new Royal Scot operation was launched on Friday April 11^th with a special run between London Euston and London Victoria carrying guests of all companies involved in the new agreement. Hauled by LNER A4 60019 “Bittern” it was symbolically flagged away by Virgin Trains Chief Operating Officer, Chris Gibb, who said: "Whilst Virgin Trains is a forward thinking business, we also acknowledge the rich heritage and history of the railways. We are pleased to support Riviera Trains by allowing it to use the historic 'The Royal Scot' train name, for its prestigious steam-operated services".

Riviera Trains operates with EWS as part of the Charter Alliance. The Charter Alliance, which was launched in April 2007, is “a dedicated provider of reliable and high class passenger services."

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Monday 14th January - ‘Riviera to supply GBRf with standby locomotive for Royal Mail Trains.'

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