PASSENGERS glimpsed the high-speed future of travel on the West Coast Main Line this week when Virgin unveiled its 140mph tilting train, the Pendolino, writes Rachel Kitchin.

The modern, streamlined train is to be put to the test on the curvaceous route through hills and dales between Carlisle and Carnforth next month, and is expected to carry passengers from Oxenholme station from September 2002 onwards.

When the £594 million Pendolino fleet reaches its top speed by 2005, the train is expected to shave 45 minutes off journey times between Oxenholme and London Euston.

This week, Lakes Line Action Group secretary Malcolm Conway welcomed the prospect of new, improved trains; more frequent services between Oxenholme and Euston, which will be hourly throughout the day; and faster journey times.

However, he is concerned the nine-coach Pendolino will have 65 fewer standard class seats than existing trains.

Demand for seats at Oxenholme can be "chronic" now, particularly on summer Saturdays, said Mr Conway.

He is also worried that passengers will only have ten minutes to change platforms at Preston if they wish to leave the express service that goes non-stop to London, to board another tilting train calling at stations such as Wigan, Warrington and Crewe.

Dennis Lovett, for Virgin Trains, said that although the Pendolino had fewer standard class seats, services would be more frequent, and the number of trains travelling on the West Coast line was being increased from 45 to 53.

If business took off as Virgin hoped it would, extra coaches at £1 million could be bought to meet demand - or even extra trains.

He explained that ten minutes was well within guidelines for connections, and that connecting trains would be held at Preston in the case of late arrivals from Oxenholme, providing passengers had a booked connection.

"Give us a chance to prove what we are doing," said Mr Lovett.

"It's really good news for your area - it's going to bring the Lake District much closer to London, make it more accessible, and that will in turn feed the Windermere line."

He invited the Lakes Line Action Group to contact Virgin to discuss any concerns.

Tilting trains will start replacing existing 110mph trains from next June between London and the North West, in time for the Commonwealth Games in Manchester.