Childrens' Cancer Charity to Benefit From Steam-Hauled Special Train and Exclusive Auction Items

MANCHESTER, England, April 5, 2011 - Train drivers based at Virgin Trains' Manchester depot are planning to
raise thousands of pounds for children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent, with a
special steam-hauled excursion train being the headline event.

CLIC Sargent, the supported charity of Virgin Trains, offers many types
of care and support to children with cancer and their families.

Steve Griffin, one of the organising team, said: "Steam trains running
over routes used daily by modern trains are always popular, but we wanted to
do much more to raise as much money as possible for CLIC Sargent. If people
are unable to travel on the train they can still be part of our fundraising
with a number of high profile and much sought after packages on offer through
our special auction site."

Train operators, the wider rail industry and celebrities have already
offered their support and it is planned that pop impresario and rail
supporter Pete Waterman will flag the special train away on its journey.

The steam-hauled special train, hired from West Coast Railway Company,
will run on October 1st 2011, will be formed of luxurious, 1950 designed
first class coaches, and hauled by a steam locomotive built in 1927, named
Scots Guardsman. The train will run from Crewe to Carlisle over the Cumbrian
fells and returning on the scenic Settle and Carlisle line. Catering on the
train will be provided by Gravy Train Catering, whose staffs have many years
working in the rail catering sector. Passengers will be able to indulge in a
full breakfast on the outward journey and a five course dinner on the return.

A very special item, exclusive to the appeal, is a commissioned painting
by John Cowley, who is member of the Guild of Railway Artists. The scene, set
in the Second World War, depicts children being evacuated waiting to board
their train at Crewe station. Both the original oil painting and a series of
signed, limited edition prints will be sold to raise funds for the appeal.

While the rail tour is the headline event, the organising team are
running a raffle and auctioning items on eBay. The raffle prizes and auction
items have been donated by many generous sponsors. Auction items will be
available on eBay from mid April and include exclusive items offered by the
railway industry. These 'must have' items include the opportunity to
experience a day on highly realistic driver simulators belonging to Virgin
Trains, First Capital Connect and TransPennine Express.

Raffle prizes include two standard flight tickets to New York, two First
Class dining tickets for UK Orient Express Tours and an overnight stay for
two at Lucknam Park Spa and Hotel in Bath. The raffle will be drawn by one of
the children supported by Clic Sargent in September in Manchester.

Full details of the rail tour, the painting, the auction items and the
raffle can be found on a special website- www. trainofhope.co.uk

    For further information please contact:

    John Young
    by email at johnyoung877@btinternet.com
    or 14, Richards Close, Audenshaw, Manchester, M34 5EN

For further information please contact: John Young, by email at johnyoung877 at btinternet.com , or 14, Richards Close, Audenshaw, Manchester, M34 5EN