A BITTER war of words has erupted over the future of Scotland's busiest cross-border rail route after Virgin Trains lost out to Aberdeen-based rival FirstGroup in its bid to extend its 15-year tenure.
Britain's biggest rail operator will take over passenger services on the flagship West Coast Mainline on December 9, promising to provide more seats, faster services and new electric trains over the next 14 years.
However, the Department for Transport decision was branded "insane" by Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson, who said it risked repeating franchise failures on the East Coast Mainline, where the Government has been forced to re-nationalise services twice.
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