Hi Dennis, I've never ventured on to Virgin but do hear that some of their Cross-Country services get very crowded.....
Yep, the slammers are the coaches with doors that you slammed shut. Coaches with a door to each compartment were used on surburban services and were phased out a few years ago....but the mainline stuff lasted longer. Some of the units are still lurking around (in case the new stuff conks out) but SouthWest Trains have refurbished two units for use on the Lymington Branch somewhere down near Bournemouth - they've had central locking fitted and had to get special dispensation to be used as Health & Safety (bless their hearts) wanted them removed!!
Keith