[bigmacca1]

Am I the only person who thinks that the 350 Desiros that run from Birmingham to Liverpool via Crewe are an unfairly-maligned unit? I travelled on one from Birmingham to Crewe last year and much preferred it to the 'battery-chicken' confinement of the outward journey 'Super' Voyager. The only thing 'Super' about that train was how many chickens (sorry, passengers) they managed to cram in...and some of them had the luxury of a window! The Desiro was open, airy and the seats were perfectly adequate for the journey involved. The rate of acceleration was impressive and even the intermittent clunk of the roof circuit-breaker non-irritating.Having travelled from Crewe to Glasgow on a 'Super' Voyager - cold, noisy, cramped (even in First Class....the complimentary coffee only ameliorates part of the discomfort) - it's probably a pity London Midland didn't quote for that route as well. Perhaps Virgin and its successor have something to learn from London Midland and its purchasing policy!