Saturday, 22 February 2020

Photo Virgin Trains Super Voyager Class 221142 DMU Train Rugby 2012

221142 'Super Voyager' DEMU, Rugby Station


Early evening photo under stormy skies showing virgin super voyager Class 221124 passenger train diesel multiple unit standing in rugby station 2012
Photo:  Charles Moorhen

Class 221142 Virgin Voyager diesel electric multiple unit, photographed on a wet, stormy evening, as can be seen by the threatening clouds above the train, stands in Rugby railway station on the 2nd September 2012 whilst en route with a scheduled service to Wolverhampton.


This tilting 5-car diesel electric multiple unit UK passenger train, known as a Super Voyager, was built between 2001 and 2002 by Bombardier Transportation.

Since Virgin Trains lost it franchise in December 2019, this and other West Coast Main Line Class 221 Voyager units are operated by Avanti West Coast.

As I typed the words, Rugby station, I was reminded of its connection with the world-famous author, Charles Dickens and of his fictional, Mugby Junction, (the name inspired by Rugby station).

Finding himself at the Warwickshire station during a reading tour in 1866, Charles Dickens and a companion entered its refreshment room.  While Dickens' companion searched in his pockets for the correct change with which to pay for the coffee the pair had ordered, the novelist reached out to take hold of the milk and sugar.  

However, before he could lay his hands on the items, they were whisked out of reach by the counter assistant who said, "You sha'nt have any milk and sugar, 'till you two fellows have paid for your coffee".

No celebrity worship there then!


Apparently the counter assistant had not recognised the esteemed writer.

The incident made it into one of the 'Mugby Junction' stories.


Class 221 Voyager DMU on YouTube:
Double Virgin Trains Class 221 Super Voyager at Crewe.


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