WatcherZero
Established Member
- Joined
- 25 Feb 2010
- Messages
- 10,272
Until they selected a preferred bidder any rumours are just that, rumours.
In actual fact there have never been differential line speeds for tilt between Oxford and Banbury. There was a high profile publicity campaign involving Branson himself when the first official tilting voyager ran over the route, but few people realised the train didn't actually go any faster than the non-tilting variety. There was as I recall an HST speed differential however which all the voyagers could exploit.
Until they selected a preferred bidder any rumours are just that, rumours.
Not that you're bitter or envious or anything like that.
I want it to be Eurostar
I really don't. Eurostar is a scruffy, can't be bothered type operation. Most UK mainline operations are that bit better.
I don't overly mind which of the other two it is. There's an argument for First in that that means all the IEP implementation will be done by one company. There's an argument for Stagecoach in that they are operationally better in my experience (Virgin is likely just the branding, it will I expect be more like EMT in red and silver than VT proper).
Neil
I really don't. Eurostar is a scruffy, can't be bothered type operation. Most UK mainline operations are that bit better.
I don't overly mind which of the other two it is. There's an argument for First in that that means all the IEP implementation will be done by one company. There's an argument for Stagecoach in that they are operationally better in my experience (Virgin is likely just the branding, it will I expect be more like EMT in red and silver than VT proper).
Neil
Are they? The on-board provision on East Midlands Trains is diabolical.
and EMT colourscheme is migraine inducing
In my experience the on board provision for all the TOC's doesn't seem to be that popular.
I said EMT's service was appalling, I didn't say anything about popularity.
East Coast currently offer a fully stocked buffet car and complimentary food and drink in first class.
East Midlands Trains offer a rubbish Rail Gourmet trolley in standard class and tea and coffee in first class.
The idea of getting EMT-quality service on East Coast is not a good one.
I said EMT's service was appalling, I didn't say anything about popularity.
East Midlands Trains offer a rubbish Rail Gourmet trolley in standard class and tea and coffee in first class.
The idea of getting EMT-quality service on East Coast is not a good one.
I wonder if there will one day be a near U-turn as places at stations get ever more expensive, as Network Rail bump up rents and the likes of SSP decides to ditch Upper Crust to make way for cheaper to manage places (I'd expect) like Pumpkin that favours more basic (but still expensive) sandwiches that keep longer, confectionary, the odd muffin and expensive coffee?
Unless you know where there's a Tesco Express or similar nearby, it might just one day be more convenient to just get something on the train as it won't be any more expensive and you can then save carrying food/drink on the train with your other stuff - and have a nice hot tea or coffee (or ice cold drink) later on if you prefer.
I said EMT's service was appalling, I didn't say anything about popularity.
East Coast currently offer a fully stocked buffet car and complimentary food and drink in first class.
East Midlands Trains offer a rubbish Rail Gourmet trolley in standard class and tea and coffee in first class.
The idea of getting EMT-quality service on East Coast is not a good one.
The rise of M&S food etc must be causing the TOC's problems. There's one at Euston and it's far cheaper to stock up there than buy anything on the train, and it's decent quality. This must really affect VT's takings. I think a lot of the big Network Rail stations have M&S's so it must be really abstractive from TOC's revenues.
East Coast might well offer a fully stocked buffet car but how do the prices compare against the alternatives? How well patronised is it? Does it make any money?
Neither InterCity East Coast, nor its successor GNER made money from their restaurant or buffet cars. They were always seen as "added value" and at best some covered their costs.
The rise of M&S food etc must be causing the TOC's problems. There's one at Euston and it's far cheaper to stock up there than buy anything on the train, and it's decent quality. This must really affect VT's takings. I think a lot of the big Network Rail stations have M&S's so it must be really abstractive from TOC's revenues.
I wouldn't say it's fully stocked! I traveled with my parents and sister from Retford to London at the end of July 2013. Despite boarding the train at 12:39 (ex York at 12:01), there were very few sandwiches on the train. My sister was the only one who had a sandwich in the end- the rest of us had a toastie which cost considerably more. Needless to say, we bought lunch from a Sainsbury's local that was down the road from our hotel before the return journey!
But aren't Waitrose and M&S stores at stations run by SSP and more expensive than the ordinary stores? I'm pretty sure prices are higher, if not on all things on a lot of things?
Maybe this is one of the biggest problems of a franchised rail network- profits. It's alight if you're only on the train for an hour or so, but if you're travelling from Edinburgh to London, the ability to buy a sandwich or a hot snack on board would improve the experience for passengers greatly. Being able to buy a full English breakfast or a full meal even more so. The problem is that nobody seems to be able to offer something to passengers for the sake of providing a service and making their journey more pleasant and enjoyable anymore unless it can earn them a fortune. :roll:
But aren't Waitrose and M&S stores at stations run by SSP and more expensive than the ordinary stores? I'm pretty sure prices are higher, if not on all things on a lot of things?
In other words, you'd still be better off venturing outside - but the hope (and likely reality) is that most people won't do that.
Yes they are more expensive than say Tesco Metro but they are still cheaper than buying stuff on the train. Why people pay through the nose to purchase snacks on the train is beyond me.
For the same reason people buy petrol at Motorway service stations.
Exactly, it makes no sense! It would have to be one heck of a motorway journey (and a very thirsty car) to use a whole tank of fuel.
You have time, or you have money. Most people are not fortunate enough to have both. (Some effectively have neither, e.g. single parents and the likes, and are particularly unfortunate in that regard)
Neil
Why people pay through the nose to purchase snacks on the train is beyond me.
ryan125hst said:The problem is that nobody seems to be able to offer something to passengers for the sake of providing a service and making their journey more pleasant and enjoyable anymore unless it can earn them a fortune.
RichmondCommu said:In which case ask yourself why EMT decided to close the shop on it's services. I would suggest that they did that because the shop wasn't making enough money. It doesn't take long for regular travelers to realise that its much cheaper to buy provisions before you get on the train