Virgin Trains to launch streaming entertainment for passengers

A Virgin Pendolino which operates on the West Coast Main Line. Credit: Virgin Trains.

Virgin Trains has launched a Netflix-style entertainment system on it's West Coast Main Line - allowing passengers to watch films and TV programmes on demand using their own devices.

The company said travellers can stream a library of around 200 hours of content to their mobiles and tablets.

The free service involves using a Virgin app via an on-board server, meaning there is no need to use wi-fi or mobile data.

Virgin's content includes films such as The Wolf Of Wall Street, Breakfast At Tiffany's, Bridesmaids and Despicable Me 2, TV shows including House Of Cards, Poldark and Fortitude, as well as games and magazines.

There is also a section for children, including Frozen, Peppa Pig, Ben 10 and Horrible Histories.

It is the first time this technology has been used on the UK's railways.

A spokeswoman for the train company said it would be available on all Virgin Pendolino services on the West Coast route, which links the North West with London and the Midlands.

Virgin will mark the launch of the app with an event at London Euston later today.