Virgin Train Pendolino

One of the nation's most recognisable trains, Pendolino trains first arrived in the UK in 2001 when Virgin Trains bought 53 Class 390 Pendolinos. Pendolinos were established during the 1960s in Italy, the name derived from the Italian word pendolo which translates to 'small pendulum' - due to the way the train tilts when going around curves on the track. The Pendolino train's tilting mechanism means it can run at higher speeds along older tracks whilst maintaining passenger comfort. The maximum speed of a Pendolino is 140 mph, but it can only run at 125 mph in the UK. The Bigjigs Rail Virgin Trains Pendolino runs at a more modest speed, powered by little hands along a wooden railway network!