Virgin Trains East Coast franchise to end 24 June 2018 and is temporarily re-nationalised

[YorkshireBear]

Apologies for my ignorance, but can someone briefly summarise to me why the East Coast Mainline has been so controversial over the past however many years? I've used it a fair few times and never really found much to complain about.

Because companies and the DfT have continually over estimated how much money there is to be made from the franchise, and the economic conditions over the period of the franchise. And no one seems to learn!

 

[sminkers]

Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/...ndon-to-yorkshire-the-north-east-and-scotland

 

[YorkshireBear]

A question was put to him by MPs from Middlesbrough and Shipley about planned service improvements and Grayling confirmed that they were all going ahead. Some may be delayed depending on Network Rail's ability to deliver any enabling works but nothing was being cancelled.

As long as we trust his word ..... that is definitely good news.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Grayling said planned service improvements will continue, but there may be some delay depending on the completion of Network Rail's CP6 upgrades.
He also just used the phrase "LNER Azuma", I don't know if that was a considered remark or not.

 

[cf111]

Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/...ndon-to-yorkshire-the-north-east-and-scotland

Well I certainly approve of the name!

 

[tomatwark]

They could always paint 800's silver, like the silver jubilee from the 30's, then the nick name could be silver bullets

 

[mallard]

I'd imagine it'll be red, to keep costs down.

Considering most of the 80x units haven't even been built yet, surely changing the colour of the vinyl will cost no more than changing the Virgin logo to something else?

He also just used the phrase "LNER Azuma", I don't know if that was a considered remark or not.

As I linked, the "AZUMA" trademark (Trade mark number UK00003153687) is owned by "Inter City Railways Limited" (Company number 08753471) which is the Virgin/Stagecoah owned joint venture that trades as "Virgin Trains East Coast". Unless there's some provision/agreement to licence/transfer the name, it can't be used in any official capacity by the new operator.

 

[Domh245]

He also just used the phrase "LNER Azuma", I don't know if that was a considered remark or not.

I really hope not, loosing azuma was one of the better things about VTEC going.

 

[westv]

Presumably my booked Print at Home tickets are safe online?!

 

[jj1314]

Apparently "many [VTEC] passengers believe they're getting a better deal than they've ever had before". That's straight from the mouth of the SoS.

As someone who's only made two trips with VTEC, I can't comment. Would anyone like to vindicate his point of view? Is this really the case?!

 

[Failed Unit]

A question was put to him by MPs from Middlesbrough and Shipley about planned service improvements and Grayling confirmed that they were all going ahead. Some may be delayed depending on Network Rail's ability to deliver any enabling works but nothing was being cancelled.

Thanks. I guess Lincoln is lucky. Marginal seat. (What a cynic)

 

[AM9]

... Great Northern being transferred to London Overground after end of TSGN being discussed with London mayor as well as moving Kings Cross services out of Great Northern.

Which would mean a firm dividing line between the few that can be squeezed into Kings Cross in the future, and the bulk of the outer suburban runs through the core (as Thameslink).

 

[Failed Unit]

Apparently "many [VTEC] passengers believe they're getting a better deal than they've ever had before". That's straight from the mouth of the SoS.

As someone who's only made two trips with VTEC, I can't comment. Would anyone like to vindicate his point of view? Is this really the case?!

Hmm. Paying more for a service you can’t rely on in my experience. If you are in first buy food - don’t expect the “complementary” offer to arrive.

 

[LLivery]

Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/...ndon-to-yorkshire-the-north-east-and-scotland

Logo looks like a cross between GNER and GWR

 

[northwichcat]

In other news, shares in businesses producing printed vinyl TOC name stickers go through the roof...

How many new Azumas have already received Virgin branding?

 

[cf111]

Presumably my booked Print at Home tickets are safe online?!

I would hope so but I'd be printing them ASAP just in case.

 

[mirodo]

Possible twitter account for the new operator?

https://twitter.com/lnerailway

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Are there actually any Virgin companies still run by Branson? All the airlines are under 50% ownership (when KLM takes 30% in VS)....

Apart from losing East Coast today, Richard Branson has also signed away control of Virgin Atlantic.
Air France/KLM will take 31% of his 51%, leaving him with 20% (and the Chairmanship of VS).
Delta have had the other 49% for some time, having bought Singapore Airlines' stake.

Chances of Stagecoach/Virgin/SNCF winning West Coast Partnership can't be great now.

 

[theironroad]

Presumably my booked Print at Home tickets are safe online?!

For passengers, nothing changes . Tickets bought are all valid, the timetable stays the same, the drivers, guards and all frontline staff stay the same. Most passengers won't even notice the change .

 

[XCTurbostar]

The 91s and HSTs will see another livery!

 

[theironroad]

I would hope so but I'd be printing them ASAP just in case.

Edited due to feedback:

Everything should stay the same for passengers but it seems issues have occurred in past changeovers so maybe a backup isn't such a bad idea.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Logo looks like a cross between GNER and GWR

I was going to say that, sort of the best of both. I like that branding. Blue livery I guess?

 

[gavin]

Possible twitter account for the new operator?

https://twitter.com/lnerailway

No the current VTEC one will just change it's name and branding to reflect the change to LNER

 

[A0]

There is something that needs looking at with regard to the East Coast franchise - no other franchise has been so problematic with two operators walking away from it.

What's so fundamentally different about the EC route that doesn't / hasn't affected the West Coast Mainline, Midland Mainline, East Anglia, South Western, Northern, Scotrail etc etc

 

[LLivery]

Possible twitter account for the new operator?

https://twitter.com/lnerailway

According to the DfT, lnerailway.co.uk is the official web address. Doesn't work yet though.

I was going to say that, sort of the best of both. I like that branding. Blue livery I guess?

It is nice. LNER blue would like lovely.

 

[westv]

For passengers, nothing changes . Tickets bought are all valid, the timetable stays the same, the drivers, guards and all frontline staff stay the same. Most passengers won't even notice the change .

But if the website changes lets hope the new operator transfers over bookings with more success than VTEC when they changed website.

 

[thenorthern]

Just think the Class 800s were meant to be introduced by GNER during their Franchise that started in 2005 but since then we have had GNER, National Express East Coast, East Coast, Virgin Trains East Coast and the new operator but the Class 800s are still yet to be introduced.

On a slightly different note am I right in thinking that despite what the press is saying the franchise will not be in direct state control like with East Coast but rather in the hands of the Operator of Last Resort which is a consortium of Arup Group, Ernst & Young and SNC-Lavalin Rail & Transit.

 

[cf111]

Clearly, your choice but these comments are totally unnecessary as everything stays the same from a passenger perspective.

I don't see how. I had issues with online bookings when EC transferred to VTEC. Things can go wrong with technology.

 

[rebmcr]

http://www.lnerailway.co.uk/

They're using stock photos from the popular "distracted boyfriend" photoshoot!


Here's the famous image, and an example of how it is usually captioned:

 

[matt_world2004]

Considering most of the 80x units haven't even been built yet, surely changing the colour of the vinyl will cost no more than changing the Virgin logo to something else?


As I linked, the "AZUMA" trademark (Trade mark number UK00003153687) is owned by "Inter City Railways Limited" (Company number 08753471) which is the Virgin/Stagecoah owned joint venture that trades as "Virgin Trains East Coast". Unless there's some provision/agreement to licence/transfer the name, it can't be used in any official capacity by the new operator.

Wouldnt their trademarks dissolve if they are in effect bankrupt.