Virgin Trains has unveiled its two Christmas trains sporting striking blue liveries in place of the Virgin red.
A Pendolino has been transformed into a Penguilino and a Class 91 has been made over as Claus 91.
The unveiling marked the end of a nationwide competition amongst primary school children for a Christmas Train design. Joint winners, 9 year old Amber Maxfield and 11 year old Madeleine Deakin, were there to see their festive drawings come to life.
The competition attracted hundreds of entries and was run in partnership with the Book Trust. The judging panel, which was headed by Jill Murphy, author of the popular Worst Witch andThe Large Family series, were so impressed by the entries that two winners were chosen.
Jill Murphy said: ‘‘I am honoured to have been part of this exciting project. We received so many wonderful entries and Madeleine and Amber’s designs stood out as fun designs with a real Christmas feel to them.’’
Madeleine from Copdock in Suffolk said “I’m so happy to have won and it was incredible to see my drawing on the train – it’s made me even more excited about Christmas!” and Amber from Carlisle added “When I found out I’d won I just couldn’t believe it! Seeing my drawing on a train and coming to London is a dream come true.”
Now two trains, one on the West Coast (Penguilino) and one on the East Coast (Claus 91), boast the childrens’ very different designs but share the same midnight blue sky backdrop. Each Christmas train bears the name of its young designer.
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