Most people we meet on trains are screaming kids or angry ticket inspectors. No longer with Virgin Trains though: from September, famous authors will be hosting high-speed book signings on the West Coast route.

Norwegian crime author Jo Nesbo is first up in September, followed by Ruby Wax and Joanna Trollope in October. Meeting your favourite author at teeth-chattering speeds of 125mph en route to Birmingham or Glasgow has never seemed so, er, glamorous...

For more information, see virgintrains.com