A Virgin Trains' Pendolino tilting train, designed, built and maintained by Alstom, has become the first of the 52-strong fleet to clock up a million miles.

Set No. 390022 Penny the Pendolino, clocked up the magical million miles on Tuesday 8 January 2008, as it worked the 17.15 London Euston to Glasgow. The train clocked up its million miles just south of Bletchley.

Passenger numbers on Virgin's West Coast routes have increased by 40% since the introduction of Pendolino trains in 2003. Almost 21 million passenger journeys are now made with Virgin Trains every year. In travelling one million miles, Penny the Pendolino has travelled the equivalent of two return trips to the moon; or over 1,230 return trips from Glasgow to London.

The popularity and intensive use of the Pendolino trains means that they will each clock up a million miles in around half the time trains took a decade ago. In providing a 24/7 maintenance regime for the Pendolino fleet, Alstom ensures that the trains can meet their demanding schedule every day.