Grand Central Farce

[Eric]

Currently on the 6:55am Bradford Interchange to London King Cross GC service, which is a double unit due to the Challenge Cup Final taking place.

Obviously due to Platform lengths at Halifax, Brighouse and Wakefield, only the front portion is stopping to set and pick.

I'm in the rear portion and there must be at least 20+ passengers for the above stations all creating a fuss with the train staff, because they now have to go to Doncaster and await the returning GC from Kings Cross.

Prior to leaving Bradford Interchange, no member of the train crew explained that only the front portion would stop at the intermediate stations between Bradford and Doncaster. Neither was there any announcements or information on the screens on Platform one at Bradford.

Poor form from Grand Central.

 

[Adam0984]

Oh dear. I knew there would be trouble when I was told about the 10 car yesterday. I suspect this is just the start as it uncouples at Kings Cross runs ECS to Doncaster, then attaches to a later SB train for presumably the last one back. What a shame they got it wrong. A ticket check out of Bradford should have highlighted the problem and passengers swapped between units at Halifax via the rear set crew door

 

[yorksrob]

I have a lot of time for GC and it sounds as though they're making an effort.

As you say, it sounds as though they just need to provide more info.

It's a pity they can't do something like letting them out of the end door under supervision of the guard, but I think the platforms only just fit one unit anyway.

 

[Eric]

This is going to be interesting as both the 19:11 and 19:23 GC services out of Kings Cross are cancelled due to engine faults.
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Can anyone tell me my options when using GC only tickets?

 

[MCR247]

GC will probably arrange for EC to take you as thats their cheapest option

 

[najaB]

This is going to be interesting as both the 19:11 and 19:23 GC services out of Kings Cross are cancelled due to engine faults.
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Can anyone tell me my options when using GC only tickets?

It's simple - Grand Central need to get you to your destination. Getting hold of them might not be as simple! If there's no staff around (which is highly likely) then give them a call, try 0344 811 0072. I just gave it a call and it didn't immediately say they were closed.

 

[Eric]

It's simple - Grand Central need to get you to your destination. Getting hold of them might not be as simple! If there's no staff around (which is highly likely) then give them a call, try 0344 811 0072. I just gave it a call and it didn't immediately say they were closed.

Cheers.

I hope GC realise that there's about 400 booked onto these trains, most Leeds supporters who have been at Wembley and traveling home.

Bit of bummer having a double 10 car unit fail.

 

[dk1]

This is going to be interesting as both the 19:11 and 19:23 GC services out of Kings Cross are cancelled due to engine faults.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Can anyone tell me my options when using GC only tickets?

This should be entertaining

GC have services shown at 19:33 & 20:05 with the 19:11 Sunderland delayed until the 19:23 Bradford path.
VTEC have a 19:30 to Forster Square.

 

[Eric]

This should be entertaining

GC have services shown at 19:33 & 20:05 with the 19:11 Sunderland delayed until the 19:23 Bradford path.
VTEC have a 19:30 to Forster Square.

There's a 10 car unit stabled on platform three. The failed engine is at the rear. What they are hoping to do is detach both units and send one to Doncaster (fast only) and one to Bradford (all stops).

To things into perspective this mornings 6:55am (10 car unit) out of Bradford Interchange was standing only by Doncaster.

You get the feeling GC couldn't organise a **** up in brewery.
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Just left Kings Cross with a considerable amount left behind on the platform.

Standing only till Doncaster I guess.

 

[455driver]

As you are so convinced that GC got it so wrong, perhaps you can tell us what they should have done instead!

 

[wensley]

As you are so convinced that GC got it so wrong, perhaps you can tell us what they should have done instead!

Exactly!!

Would help if the facts were right ... Not ideal but everyone traveling ex-KX got to their destination.

 

[londonbridge]

You get the feeling GC couldn't organise a **** up in brewery.

www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=95414

 

[wensley]

www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=95414

Not even remotely related.
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If there's no staff around (which is highly likely) .

Another one who should stick to the facts. Plenty of staff and and info available. The 1911 ran as booked, only 1923 affected; nothing to do with engines.

 

[Robertj21a]

Not even remotely related.
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Another one who should stick to the facts. Plenty of staff and and info available. The 1911 ran as booked, only 1923 affected; nothing to do with engines.

.
Thanks for the clarification - so where did all that twaddle above originate ?

 

[wensley]

.
Thanks for the clarification - so where did all that twaddle above originate ?

I have no idea! The 1923 (booked 10-Car) couldn't run due to a fault with one of the inward workings. It was not an engine defect. The 1911 Sunderland was held until 1923 to help move Doncaster passengers, then a 1933 ran with the remaining half of the planned 10-Car, in the same calling pattern.

 

[najaB]

Plenty of staff and and info available

Glad to be proven wrong. My comment was based on previous posts that said GC staff seem to be thin on the ground when things go wrong.

 

[philjo]

THat explains the automated announcement I hear at Kings Cross yesterday saying that the 16:36 GC service to Brndford had been cancelled due to unusually large passenger flow.
A manual annoucement then said the 16:48 Sunderland service would take passengers for Doncaster.

 

[Crossover]

This explains a lot. I was at Mirfield last night (about 10pm) and the auto announcer was bleating on about the GC service being 27L (PIS screens still not working)

I looked on RTT and it showed a cancellation with another one later running RT so not quite sure what the system was picking up

A 10 car would have certainly been a sight to behold at Mirfield yesterday!

 

[Robertj21a]

I have no idea! The 1923 (booked 10-Car) couldn't run due to a fault with one of the inward workings. It was not an engine defect. The 1911 Sunderland was held until 1923 to help move Doncaster passengers, then a 1933 ran with the remaining half of the planned 10-Car, in the same calling pattern.

That sounds very sensible. Nice to have something resolved so efficiently.

Still puzzled how something so relatively simple got so mangled !

Thanks again.

 

[wensley]

That sounds very sensible. Nice to have something resolved so efficiently.

Still puzzled how something so relatively simple got so mangled !

Thanks again.

I like to think it was the best option given time and resources. There's things I'd change, but it's too late now!!

Yesterday was a hard day but the main thing was getting everyone home.

It just annoys me when folk go off on a tangent without the correct facts...

 

[Adam0984]

They also ran a 2005 Kings Cross to Bradford too on Saturday obviously with the other half of the 10 car.
Also the 10 car set ran yesterday (Sunday) too
0758 & 1505 Bradford to Kings Cross
1147 & 1923 Kings Cross to Bradford

 

[wensley]

They also ran a 2005 Kings Cross to Bradford too on Saturday obviously with the other half of the 10 car.

Nope. That was a planned 5-Car rugby additional, had all gone to plan there would have been 15 coaches on the two WR trains at 1923 and 2005 all in.
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Glad to be proven wrong. My comment was based on previous posts that said GC staff seem to be thin on the ground when things go wrong.

There's not many to start with!! Five staff on the station is a good showing for a small operator, and I think it showed what the team can do when they're pushed.