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Northern Rail correct penny-pinching blunder after 2 years of overcrowding

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yorkie

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When penny-pinching new Northern Rail franchise took over from Arriva back in late 2004, they reduced capacity on the Harrogate line considerably by terminating the Class 37 hauled service.

Now, after 2 years of overcrowding, Northern have finally got their act together and reversed their cuts to the service by leasing more trains. Northern are, of course, claiming credit for this although the funding has come from other sources including Metro and Yorkshire Forward, in contrast with Arriva who funded the 37s.

Other lines will also benefit.

The press release, with a heavy dose of spin is at http://www.northernrail.org/images/...e Seating Brings Peak Relief to West Yor….pdf

They will hope that commuters have forgotten the cuts they brought in 2 years ago so that this can all be seen as new capacity.

I believe the additional units are 158s (obviously, these will displace other units such as pacers to work to places like Harrogate)
 
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metrocammel

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When penny-pinching new Northern Rail franchise took over from Arriva back in late 2004, they reduced capacity on the Harrogate line considerably by terminating the Class 37 hauled service.

Now, after 2 years of overcrowding, Northern have finally got their act together and reversed their cuts to the service by leasing more trains. Northern are, of course, claiming credit for this although the funding has come from other sources including Metro and Yorkshire Forward, in contrast with Arriva who funded the 37s.



They will hope that commuters have forgotten the cuts they brought in 2 years ago so that this can all be seen as new capacity.

I believe the additional units are 158s (obviously, these will displace other units such as pacers to work to places like Harrogate)


Yes, Northern are far too cheapo to bring back LHCS... What 158's are being used then? As I haven't heard about Northern leasing any more units?

Though sometimes it is a case of "Bring back Arriva, all is forgiven", as Northern are a very cheap & nasty TOC in many respects- like expecting Stalybridge to Manchester commuters to get to & from work on a ATN 2+2 142, when a few years ago the same train was booked 2x 156!!!! (back when the 101's were there to provide relief for 2nd gen fNW units :( )
 

Guinness

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Though sometimes it is a case of "Bring back Arriva, all is forgiven", as Northern are a very cheap & nasty TOC in many respects- like expecting Stalybridge to Manchester commuters to get to & from work on a ATN 2+2 142, when a few years ago the same train was booked 2x 156!!!! (back when the 101's were there to provide relief for 2nd gen fNW units :( )

I agree. I've noticed many cuts recently. First Group were actually better!

156s from NW seem to be crossing the pennines a lot and replaced with NE 142s which isn't pleasurable at all. :(

Despite the franchise not requiring new stock I guess more surplus stock from other TOCs will be given to 'ease' overcrowing. Some units need a refurbishment, whether or not Northern will do that is to be seen!
 

yorkie

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Yes, Northern are far too cheapo to bring back LHCS... What 158's are being used then? As I haven't heard about Northern leasing any more units?
It's not really news, it's been known about for some time, but see p26 of MR Nov '06 for more info.
Though sometimes it is a case of "Bring back Arriva, all is forgiven", as Northern are a very cheap & nasty TOC in many respects- like expecting Stalybridge to Manchester commuters to get to & from work on a ATN 2+2 142, when a few years ago the same train was booked 2x 156!!!! (back when the 101's were there to provide relief for 2nd gen fNW units :( )
I don't really have any bad memories of Arriva, the only way Arriva was worse is with TPE, but that's more because of the split and the fact that the lucractive part of the franchise was split away.

I agree. I've noticed many cuts recently. First Group were actually better!

156s from NW seem to be crossing the pennines a lot and replaced with NE 142s which isn't pleasurable at all. :(

Despite the franchise not requiring new stock I guess more surplus stock from other TOCs will be given to 'ease' overcrowing. Some units need a refurbishment, whether or not Northern will do that is to be seen!
You can be sure Northern won't be paying for it ;) ;) Whether or not they manage to get someone else to pay for it - and issue a press release taking the credit - remains to be seen!
 

Jordy

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I dread to think what would've happened if TPE hadnt become a seperate franchise, meaning today it would be part of Northerm...*shudders*

Bring back ATN 8)

Jordy
 

theblackwatch

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The additional rolling stock was actually announced way back in January or February. The units involved are ex Central 158s (in the 79x series) which have been with FGW for most of this year, moving north over the past couple of months. There is quite a cascade with diagrams and on the Harrogate line two 3-car pacer diagrams will be worked by pairs of 150s as of next week (though I am waiting to see if this actually happens!).

It was made clear from the start that the Northern franchise included no money for additional stock. After attending the press launch, I did a piece about it, and these are a couple of things I wrote:

Unlike many other franchises which have been awarded, there is no agreement for the company to provide any new, or additional rolling stock. Instead, the emphasis is on improving performance and providing more punctual and reliable services, with a contractual target to reduce the number of cancellations and delays to its services by 15% during the first five years.

Partnerships are a key element to the franchise, and any investment in rolling stock, such as refurbishments, or new/extra vehicles, will be made in conjunction with partners, such as the SRA, PTEs or local authorities.

Also, the last two years of the 8 1/2 year franchise are dependant on performance targets being achieved.

It's also worth remembering that it wasn't Northern who terminated the 37s, it was Arriva - the loco-hauled services had been finished for over two months before Northern took over.
 
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