TWO of Virgin's new high-speed tilting trains broke down, marring the launch of the passenger service, on Monday.

The Virgin Pendolino should cut journey times between London Euston and Glasgow by about half an hour.

But the flagship "Royal Scot" terminated at Carlisle after a wheel problem caused it to break down.

And the 5.28am Holyhead to London train failed to start, causing passengers to travel by diesel to Crewe to pick up the London service.

The £7.6bn project, which has caused disruption to millions of passengers, is due for completion by 2008/2009.

Passengers on the 9.49am service from Glasgow were transferred to another train in Carlisle after it limped into the station an hour late.

It was travelling at 50mph instead of 110mph.