In the May 1997 issue of The Railway Magazine, Editor Nick Pigott interviewed Richard Branson about Virgin Rail, the West Coast and CrossCountry franchises, proposed new trains and the challenges facing the newly privatised railway. Article continues below…It was a question Richard Branson warmed to. “I often travelled on the West Coast and CrossCountry routes in BR days,” recalls the 46-year-old entrepreneur. Expansion and competitionWith this in mind, Richard Branson moved onto the subject of expansion in response to my question on whether he was happy with the franchises he had won. Richard Charles Nicholas Branson was born on July 18, 1950, the son of magistrate and barrister Edward Branson and grandson of Sir George and Lady Mona Branson.