Pendolino: London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly drivers eye view

Step into the cab of a Pendolino tilting train and experience the thrill of travelling along the West Coast Main Line, the UK’s busiest railway. This journey takes you aboard the 1220 Virgin Trains service from London Euston to Manchester Piccadilly via Stoke-on-Trent, where the dramatic tilting of the Class 390 trains can be seen firsthand. From the driver’s perspective, navigating curves at speeds of up to 125 mph is nothing short of exhilarating.

In addition to the cab footage, the DVD provides views of the eleven-coach train passing through key locations such as Milton Keynes, Stoke-on-Trent, and Stockport. For a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse, the journey also includes a brief visit to the Rugby Rail Operations Centre, showing how modern railway services are coordinated.

Narration is provided by BBC Radio 3’s Ian Skelly, who adds context and depth by recounting the fascinating history of the ‘London and Birmingham’ line. Opened in sections from 1837 and engineered by Robert Stephenson, this railway was Britain’s first long-distance intercity route, and Skelly’s commentary connects the Pendolino’s high-speed journey to its historic roots.

The journey continues along the Trent Valley line before diverging at Colwich Junction onto the North Staffordshire Railway, affectionately known as the “Notty.” This company remained independent for 75 years, right up until the railway grouping. Although Virgin Trains is no longer operating, this DVD offers a perfect opportunity to relive the excitement of their flagship service on one of Britain’s most iconic routes.