Tilting train service is launched

The tilting technology promises a faster ride

A new high-speed tilting train service has been launched from Carlisle's railway station.

The Virgin Pendolino should cut journey times between London and Glasgow by about 30 minutes.

However, upgrades to the line are not yet complete, meaning the trains will not yet reach their top speed of 125mph in the North West.

The £7.6bn project, which has caused disruption to millions of passengers, is due for completion by 2008/2009.

From Monday, the new timetable between London and Manchester will see journeys take just over two hours - a reduction of 35 minutes - while 20 minutes will be taken off the trip from London to Birmingham.

The upgrade between London Euston and Manchester started in May 2003 and involved about 9,000 people working a total of 24m hours.

The West Coast Main Line was built in the 1830s and has developed into the UK's busiest mixed-use rail route, serving about 75m people each year.

It handles more than 2,000 trains a day, including 43% of the country's freight traffic.