Grand Central Discussion

[Max]

I once mentioned this to them in an email and they said that it was something that they currently could not consider due their problems with rolling stock (Dr John Godber) and condition of the Wolds Coast Line, they then went to say that after the upgrade (just taken place- Feb 1/2 term) and the release of the 222's they would begin to look at proposals for extending there services.

Nothing as yet though except Northern are proposing extra services to Scarborough

I'm not sure about demand from Driffield or Bridlington, but I'm certain that there would be demand for a Beverley/Cottingham-London service. I'm certain that local government officials from both East Riding and Hull councils frequently travel to the capital and direct services from Beverley and Cottingham would definitely encourage usage of trains. I'm quite surprised that the local MP hasn't pushed for this, as in the case of Howden, whose service level has improved drastically in recent years as a result of Hull Trains calling there.

 

[northernbored]

If i remember correctly there inital idea was to call at Bridlington, Beverley and Cottingham. Not sure about driffield?

 

[Techniquest]

In a bid to take this thread back onto topic:

Reading through HSTgen on Yahoo, I see mention 43068+084 diverted at Ferryhill South Junction on Sunday. Any idea what this was about, was it booked and what caused this diversion? I sure didn't hear of it!

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

I think a 142 expired on the Up Coast somewhere between Hartlepool ans Seaham!!

 

[robertclark125]

Interesting letter from the DfT.

 

[Techniquest]

I think a 142 expired on the Up Coast somewhere between Hartlepool ans Seaham!!

Ah right, ta!

 

[spoony]

With the Man City v Sunderland game on the the 21st March being moved back a day to Sunday 22nd, I dare say there will be a fair few on board between Sunderland - York that day. Actually works out well with a 9.10 departure time and and 8.31 return. Pity there loads of Sunderland fans who have already bought advance tickets for the Saturday who will have to fork out again for the Sunday

 

[s'land]

i was just wondering, if in the future GC ever were rewarded 6 return paths (they did state a while ago that was their intension did they not ?) to KGX how many trains would they need to run that level of service ?

 

[yorkie]

4 in service.

 

[Mojo]

Angel Trains leases Adelante 180s to Grand Central

Train operator Grand Central Railway has signed a lease with Angel Trains for two Class 180 Adelante diesel trains.

The deal follows Friday's (27 February) confirmation from the Office of Rail Regulation that the open access operator has firm rights to run a fourth daily return service between Sunderland and London.

The two 125mph, 5-car Adelantes will join Grand Central's existing fleet of High Speed Trains and will allow the company to introduce the additional return service from the north east to the capital in the summer.

Tom Clift, managing director of Grand Central, said: "We are very pleased to have concluded these negotiations with Angel Trains for additional trains to operate our extra services between the Durham coast, Teeside, North Yorkshire and London. These trains will create more journey opportunities for our existing passengers and potential customers. The leasing of the two Class 180 trains is obviously key to this."

Grand Central Railway operates express rail services between Sunderland, Hartlepool, Eaglescliffe, Northallerton, Thirsk, York and London. Currently the company provides three daily return services between Sunderland and London.

 

[Techniquest]

Well I hope GC have better luck with the 'orrible things than we did down 'ere. To be actively avoided at all costs if you ask me!

Just watch, one day they'll cover a HST working at the last minute with bashers getting bowled out and people having a miserable journey as a result. Yes they're some of the nicest units for travelling in on the network but compared to a HST I'd be just as happy to get a coach!

And yes, I've been s**t-out by a 180 when expecting a HST at least once. Suffice to say that was not a fun 3.5 hour ride...

Anyway, on a more positive note it is good to hear they've been allocated now. One waits to see which ones go to GC now.

 

[andylloyd]

Aye up folks,
can our GC insider BOSCH please advise whether or not he will be on the 10.14 ex York to NTR on thursday please?

The departures I saw at NTR on saturday were spot on and the valentas sounded beastly as usual

 

[BOSCH]

Aye up folks,
can our GC insider BOSCH please advise whether or not he will be on the 10.14 ex York to NTR on thursday please?

The departures I saw at NTR on saturday were spot on and the valentas sounded beastly as usual

Sorry mate it wasnt me,I've been on my final drivers assessment all this week and Im VERY happy to report that I am now a Driver !!!

 

[spoony]

Sorry mate it wasnt me,I've been on my final drivers assessment all this week and Im VERY happy to report that I am now a Driver !!!

Well done

 

[northernrail2009]

Like to report that I am onboard the 10am from York as I write this and this is my 1st time on board a GC train and have to say that a lot of other train companys have a lot to learn from GC.

The staff have a smile and the service is bang on time.

the only down side is that there is not very many on board and also they seem to have the heating on full!!! as its a bit too warm in the coach(D coach)

Just heard that we are running too early to get a platform at Hartlepool so we are waitting outside station for a little while now that never happens anywhere esle!!

A train to run early is never heard off!!!

 

[devon_metro]

The fact that it is going to Cambridge probably affects passenger numbers!

 

[northernrail2009]

Well on way back now on the 17.30pm back to York from Sunderland and again not many on board even with Sunderland playing today.

Again staff happy and with smiles and wishing us a nice trip which i though was a nice touch.

On the last trip to and from London each day do they have a train crew that are put up in a hotel or something for the 1st trip the next day as all the staff sound like they are all from the northeast.

 

[BOSCH]

Well on way back now on the 17.30pm back to York from Sunderland and again not many on board even with Sunderland playing today.

Again staff happy and with smiles and wishing us a nice trip which i though was a nice touch.

On the last trip to and from London each day do they have a train crew that are put up in a hotel or something for the 1st trip the next day as all the staff sound like they are all from the northeast.

Indeed we do,the crew that works the last train whether it be the 1730 M-Sat or the 1842 on a sunday from S/land lodge in Kings X,the last train from KX on those days does not require a lodge

 

[Techniquest]

Sorry mate it wasnt me,I've been on my final drivers assessment all this week and Im VERY happy to report that I am now a Driver !!!

Many congratulations matey, fantastic news. By any chance were you driving yesterday?

On that subject, I would like to say that my trip to Anglia with 43080 and 068 was thoroughly enjoyable and that my third trip with GC to date (first long distance one) will be one of the biggest highlights of 2009. Shame the power cars were both dud, but they both performed superbly and it was a massive shame to have to alight at York.

Here's to a full Sunderland to London and back run with GC as soon as possible!

 

[spoony]

Im travelling to York on the Sunday service departing 9.10am. Does anyone know how reliable these altered weekend services have been?

 

[martyn29]

I know that GC dont except Privs, how much would it be Kings Cross to York return? Are there any advance fares? 18th April.

 

[BOSCH]

I know that GC dont except Privs, how much would it be Kings Cross to York return? Are there any advance fares? 18th April.

If by "privs" you mean your "boxes" then no,however if you bought a priv open single/return with your TOC card then it will be accepted as it is an inter available ticket !

 

[martyn29]

If by "privs" you mean your "boxes" then no,however if you bought a priv open single/return with your TOC card then it will be accepted as it is an inter available ticket !

Excellent! I am planning a all day all companies HST bash on the 2nd of April so this will help no end!

 

[andylloyd]

A quick question for you friendly folk including our GC driver BOSCH.
I have seen advertised at Newcastle today Tyne-Tees day ranger tickets for the day.
Do GC now accept these ticket types?

 

[turbo mick]

Originally Posted by martyn29 View Post
I know that GC dont except Privs, how much would it be Kings Cross to York return? Are there any advance fares? 18th April.

You can use your priv ie boxes Ive travelled twice from sunderland to kx,if you ask the train manager nicely

 

[Darandio]

A quick question for you friendly folk including our GC driver BOSCH.
I have seen advertised at Newcastle today Tyne-Tees day ranger tickets for the day.
Do GC now accept these ticket types?

I know you didn't necessarily ask me but I use them quite often and AFAIK they still aren't valid on GC. It is in the small print of the accompanying leaflet as well so unless they have very recently changed their stance, it is a no.

 

[D841]

Originally Posted by martyn29 View Post
I know that GC dont except Privs, how much would it be Kings Cross to York return? Are there any advance fares? 18th April.

You can use your priv ie boxes Ive travelled twice from sunderland to kx,if you ask the train manager nicely

Really? The ATOC website stated quite clearly that no staff travel facilities are valid on Grand Central, the last time I looked at it.

Has something changed?

 

[Sir_Clagalot]

The ATOC website is correct, Officially no staff travel facilities are valid on GC (except GC ones of course), unofficially if you ask nicely before you board...

 

[martyn29]

I have a bash planned with a mate from work We work for a TOC and we will be travveling on the 18th of April, but dont mind if we have to buy tickets.

 

[northernrail2009]

I am going on the 10.15am from York to Sunderland tomorrow(Saturday) but what i wanted to know is 2 weeks ago on the sat i travelled on the same train but it lefted at 10am so why do they change the times leaving from York?

It seems like there is a new time each weekend.