Grand Central Discussion

[Techniquest]

Stupid question no doubt, but do TPX 185s and GC HSTs call at Eaglescliffe?

I'm up that way on a 185 bash (before the Lincoln HST meet) and planning to get the 185 back to Eaglescliffe, and whilst I think the GC HST calls soon after it, I can't remember.

I should be on the 0721 Middlesborough to Manchester Airport, would I make it to Eaglescliffe or Northallerton in time to do the early GC HST off Sunderland?

Ta for any help gang!

 

[Darandio]

TPE 185's dont call there, only GC HST's and the majority of Northern Rail services.

 

[Techniquest]

OK, will be a bail at Northallerton I suspect then!

 

[spoony]

Whilst wandering over Wearmouth bridge yesterday en route to the match I had the good fortune to see the 12.30 service crossing the river. A plesant surprise. My mate who had never seen a GC train commented on how old it looked

 

[DaveNewcastle]

My mate who had never seen a GC train commented on how old it looked

. . . and I just got a text from a friend in London yesterday - her entire message is :-
"Just seen grand central train at kgx. What a looker. All carriages look first class."

Sir Clag, I dunno if the track circuits at Gateshead are fixed by now or not, but driver on Thurs was confident that the prob remained (on about 5 blocks of Metro line between Gateshead and the mainline), its just that control were more efficient at talking them thru the reds within visual stopping distance.

 

[theblackwatch]

Any sign of the three missing coaches (one TF and two TS) yet?

 

[spoony]

. . . and I just got a text from a friend in London yesterday - her entire message is :-
"Just seen grand central train at kgx. What a looker. All carriages look first class."

Sir Clag, I dunno if the track circuits at Gateshead are fixed by now or not, but driver on Thurs was confident that the prob remained (on about 5 blocks of Metro line between Gateshead and the mainline), its just that control were more efficient at talking them thru the reds within visual stopping distance.

I would agree with your friend rather than mine. The carriages may be old but are a cut above NXEC

 

[Jordy]

This thread has been renamed as it is more of a discussion than updates now.

 

[Techniquest]

Jeez, 87 pages...!

Stupid question again, but are all 6 power cars working again now?

*Julian eagerly awaiting the 8th of November*

 

[class 313]

Yes, IIRC.

 

[mealybar]

The 11:27 from kings cross disappeared again yesterday, no reports north of Doncaster if I remember correctly. But the 17:30 from Sunderland ran.

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

It must have made it as the set off the 1127 forms the 1730....

 

[Auximines]

Where does that set go in the few hours between runs at Sunderland?

 

[Preserver]

Hi All,

Been lurking these forums for quite some time now but I finally caved in and registered to join in! Huge fan of all things GC but have always had an interest in the railway since my dad took me up to Ely station years ago as a kid to watch the trains come and go..anywhoo :-

Saw this on the local news today

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tees/7700354.stm

Did it effect GC services on its route through stockton? I was watching Look North and in their report they kept showing a GC train going along the track as to imply they had been affected by the theft.

These kind of thefts really annoy me - at the end of the report they said for all the clips they collected it would only be about £100 worth in scrap metal..

 

[Techniquest]

So that's what, 50p each?

I like this bit in the report though:

"...were removed between Stockton and Norton South stations..."

Since when did Norton South have a station in 2008?

 

[1D53]

Where does that set go in the few hours between runs at Sunderland?

Heaton. Presumably its checked in the day time as its spends the evening in London, dont know if its refuelled as well.

 

[DaveNewcastle]

Where does that set go in the few hours between runs at Sunderland?

To Heaton depot.
That's through South Tyneside (along the route of the Tyne Wear Metro) to Gatehead, over the Tyne on the King Edward Bridge, thru Newcastle Station and then east on the ECML for 2 or so miles to the depot in East Newcastle where a few litres of diesel are poured into the power cars. Then back to Sunderland.

-----------------edit--------------
JsT got in before me!

 

[mealybar]

It must have made it as the set off the 1127 forms the 1730....

I thought that, but nationalrail.co.uk showed nothing after the 11:27 departure, and the 'awaiting a report from x'.

Regarding where the set goes between runs, I thought someone posted that they sat in sidings at Pelaw. Would brimed fuel not get a set KGX - SUN and back?

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

The set which is the 0804 and forms the 1230 goes to Pelaw/Ryhope as there isnt enough time to get to Heaton and back in 40mins!! Yes there is enough fuel for a return run, each set does one and a half returns a day, and its 270ish miles each way SUN-KGX.

 

[Pumbaa]

Where do GC sets live overnight in London?

 

[Ben]

Hornsey I think? If not Bounds Green but cant see NXEC liking that?

 

[Ben]

Or indeed, Ferne Park.

 

[Max]

Hi all,

Just been looking at the NXEC website for fares et al, and it tells me on Saturday 8th November the 1230 SUN - KGX calls at Eaglescliffe arriving 1312, departing at 1313.

Is this accurate? I might still be up there on a track bash and need to jump on at Eaglescliffe.

TIA,

Julian

All GC trains call at Eaglescliffe - it's to try and serve the Middlesbrough market .

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

Correct, as it did just that yesterday!!
The Timetables are on the GC website...

 

[Jordy]

It is a useful calling point, opening up a different route axis as previously Eaglescliffe was only on the Bishop Auckland-Darlington-Saltburn route (with occasional trains heading up the coast - Sundays I think), it is now much easier to access Northallerton and the South without having to change at Darlington, with the same applying to Hartlepool and Sunderland - the Thornaby change is not required.

From what i've seen it seems to attract a few people too, more than you might expect, they've even updated the announcer so it now announces Grand Central trains too

 

[91101]

I am often shocked when I pull into Eaglescliffe at just how many people get on in the up direction and off in the down direction, all the suited business types too!!

 

[Jordy]

Was on a North East Rover last week so travelled on GC a good bit, excellent service every time, trains were practically always on time, comfortable, spacious and warm! Staff were very helpful too as always!

As for the Valentas...

 

[Max]

In terms of timing into Kings Cross, is it pot luck as to where the morning GC service ends up in the 'queue' of trains heading into KGX? It's just that I was travelling south to London the other morning, and had a bit of a layover in Peterborough, and noticed that the GC service was ahead of the HST from Harrogate (when really it should have arrived after it into KGX) and caught up the 91 ahead of it, having to wait at a danger signal just beyond Peterborough.

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

depends on who is running to time or not. it is usual to get held just south of donny to allow the hst to come off the flyover and out in front of us if they are on time/slightly late and we are slightly early. Have gone through with no sign of it and ended up really early later on. The siggies will regulate and get you back to within 2-5 minutes though.

 

[Techniquest]

When I last looked at the GC website it didn't a) have timetables for this weekend's diversions and b) I couldn't see Eaglescliffe mentioned.

Either way, thanks for confirming this one gents, now to get back to the monster amount of planning for the Saturday...