Sir Richard Branson launched the Pendolino

Bosses from Alstom Transport UK will meet Mr McNulty on Tuesday to discuss issues including a curb on the trains' speed for five days last year.

Pendolinos have been hit by problems from faulty toilets to sticking doors.

A spokesman for Virgin Trains said the firm was working closely with Alstom to resolve teething problems.

'Experienced problems'

Mr McNulty said: "We have invested �7.5 billion of our money upgrading the West Coast Main Line, and suddenly performance drops. That can't be right."

A Department For Transport (DfT) spokeswoman said the minister held regular performance review meetings.

But she added: "Obviously the Pendolinos have experienced problems." Virgin said: "We are happier that things are improving but we will not be happy until there are no problems."

Virgin Trains cut the speed limit of the Pendolino trains in November, after two trains hit buffers at Liverpool's Lime Street station, slightly injuring some passengers.

The 110mph limit on the London to Glasgow West Coast Main Line was imposed after a warning from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

There were also reports of trains going through red signals.

Malcolm Cowling, communications director for Alstom, confirmed the meeting was going ahead on Tuesday but declined to comment further.