York rail giant GNER came out fighting today in the battle over the right to run London to Scotland train services.

Richard Branson's Virgin rail group yesterday announced a string of impressive-sounding plans for the next decade - including the introduction of Japanese-style bullet trains that would slash the London to York travel time to 1 hr 25 mins.

This plan would involve the construction of brand new track from Connington (60 miles north of London) to Hambleton, near Selby, which would carry 205mph Virgin Grande Vitesse trains.

But the chief executive of GNER, Christopher Garnett, says his company's plans are far more realistic and could be introduced far more quickly.

He said: "We have been interested to read about the long-term plans of Virgin for the East Coast at a time when they have got plenty on their plates resolving issues on the West Coast. Deliverability is the key issue here. We want to make it a great railway and have put forward ambitious and achievable proposals to achieve just that on behalf of the travelling public.

"We will introduce 'walk-up-and-go' timetables and 140mph trains, and we are building on our successful track record to date.

"We believe we are the success story of rail privatisation, and our approach is aspirational but measured, and this approach reflects the route-wide consultation we have undertook before putting in our bid.

"Virgin have not consulted and two documents have gone into the SSRA (Shadow Strategic Railway Authority).

"As far as York is concerned we are planning a new travel centre, new lounges and escalators so people don't have to cart their luggage around.

"In short we are being very specific and costed and we are committed to York remaining as the HQ."

Meanwhile at Virgin Rail group's long-awaited press conference in London yesterday, the gathered directors accused GNER of being limited in its ambition for the future.

Director Jim Steer said of GNER's plans: "By 2010 GNER's plans would result in disruption and little scope to offer any additional services.

"Railtrack has been conditioned by the limited vision of GNER."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.