Grand Central (GC) additional trains - Saturday 11/04

[yorkie]

I see GC are commendably running two extra trains from Hartlepool to York, in addition to the 5 Sunderland-London services.

Direct Hartlepool - York (& beyond) services 11th April 2015

The additionals depart 0835 and 1132, both non-stop. I expect they will be very busy as Hartlepool United have sold 2000 tickets for their visit to Bootham Crescent (kick-off 1500).

But on the way back, the only additional is the 2027 York - Hartlepool, which is rather late.

I therefore suspect there will be severe overcrowding on the 1648 Kings Cross - Sunderland between York (1842) and Hartlepool. If there's not much injury time then the 1715 York-Middlesbrough could get swamped (journey opportunity changing at Thornaby)

It's great that GC has put these additional trains on, but does anyone know why a relief couldn't be run at a more optimum time after the match?

 

[Starmill]

Passengers wishing to avoid overcrowding (and with deep pockets!) could try travelling via Newcastle.

Also, that's a 36 minute connection at Thornaby... and I wonder what will work the 1833 Middlesbrough - Newcastle? 1x142...

 

[yorkie]

Passengers wishing to avoid overcrowding (and with deep pockets!) could try travelling via Newcastle.

Also, that's a 36 minute connection at Thornaby... and I wonder what will work the 1833 Middlesbrough - Newcastle? 1x142...

That won't stop them travelling.

It won't be pretty. But if the TOCs do not lay on a service that suits, people try travelling regardless.

If there's a pub near Thornaby station, it'll get invaded with Hartlepool supporters for half an hour. If not, they'll probably double-back to Middlesbrough.

That said, if there's a lot of injury time, only quick walkers would make it, and the rest will probably just go to various pubs (the York Tap will be inundated no doubt) while waiting for the direct train and potentially a 4-figure number will try to board the 1842. I can't see that many waiting for the 2027.

Anyone going for that train, you have been warned

 

[185143]

I was on the 18:42 two Saturdays ago. It was a 180 vice HST and it was easily the busiest off peak train I've ever been on.

I spent the journey from York to Eaglescliffe stood opposite the bar, on a dry train (doesn't affect me but there were people stood there asking for drinks and moaning!), in front of the fire extinguisher. Not pleasant when the train jolted as you can guess where the fire extinguisher went!

Without a doubt the worst intercity journey I've ever made.

And I quote one of the onboard bouncers when I say 'This might be bad, but the next (last) one is much worse!'

 

[Class 170101]

People may not know about it. RTT is showing them as VSTP moves

 

[wensley]

People may not know about it. RTT is showing them as VSTP moves

We had to make some timing amends due to ECS plan issues, hence the VSTPs. It was a crazy day but all passed off largely well. A well deserved pint was consumed after 12hrs at Hartlepool and York.

 

[DarloRich]

We had to make some timing amends due to ECS plan issues, hence the VSTPs. It was a crazy day but all passed off largely well. A well deserved pint was consumed after 12hrs at Hartlepool and York.

Almost in the words of Obe Wan Kenobi:

Hartlepooh: Never will you find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy

You have my pity. 12 hours with the monkey murderers is not something to be undertaken lightly.

PS any chance of GC putting on some extra trains for a decent club like Darlo

 

[wensley]

Almost in the words of Obe Wan Kenobi:

Hartlepooh: Never will you find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy

You have my pity. 12 hours with the monkey murderers is not something to be undertaken lightly.

PS any chance of GC putting on some extra trains for a decent club like Darlo

We never really get many Darlo fans on our patch but never say never!!

It took some planning and I like to do my bit in actually making it happen ... I've seen worse, but not much